The shape of a model may not simply be determined by the function for which the object is intended. Industrial designs must be new and original before they can qualify for legal protection. A shape can be protected for a maximum of 15 years, subdivided into three periods of protection of five years each. Trademarks may consist of words, pictorial representations or a combination of these various elements, possibly in conjunction with different colours. There are individual, guaranteed and collective trademarks.
Registration is effective for a period of ten years from the date of deposit.
The registration can be extended for further ten year periods as often as required. These can also be regions with which the quality, reputation or other characteristic of a product is identified. Designations of origin are references to the geographical rather than the corporate origin of a product. They indicate a particular area and, consequently, all the companies which are involved with the creation of this product or service in the region. This protection also applies to computer programs.