Practice Areas

Industrial Designs

In Argentina, industrial designs are governed by Law No. 16,478 on Industrial Models and Designs. This legal figure protects the ornamental or aesthetic appearance of a product—such as its shape, configuration, lines, colors, or any combination of these elements—provided that it is new and capable of industrial application.

To be registrable, a design must meet the requirement of novelty and be suitable for industrial application. The protection does not cover the functional or technical aspects of the object, but rather its visual appearance only.

The registration grants exclusive rights for a term of 5 years, renewable for two additional consecutive periods of equal duration, up to a maximum of 15 years. Registering an industrial design allows for the safeguarding of a product’s aesthetic uniqueness, strengthens its market identity, and increases its commercial value.

Services

Legal advice on protecting the aesthetic and ornamental features of products
Registrability analysis and novelty verification at both national and international levels
Drafting, filing, and prosecution of registration applications before the Argentine Patent and Trademark Office (INPI)
Responses to office actions, observations, and other administrative requirements
Management of renewals, assignments, licenses, and ownership changes
Assistance in nullity actions and enforcement of rights in case of infringement
Preparation of translations and technical drawings
Coordination with foreign associates for the international protection of designs
Development of complementary protection strategies in conjunction with patents or trademarks