30 Sep 2025
When people think of intellectual property (IP), the spotlight usually falls on patents or trade marks. But there’s another player that often goes unnoticed—design rights. These protections may not grab headlines, but they can deliver real competitive advantages, especially when combined with other forms of IP.
Why Designs Matter in Business
Designs influence buying decisions every day. The sleek look of a phone, the feel of a chair, or even the quirky packaging of a burger can tip the scales for a customer. Great design has the power to transform something ordinary into something people desire—and are willing to pay more for.
Design rights safeguard this visual edge. Unlike patents, which protect how something works, design rights protect how it looks. This is vital in industries where appearance and user experience drive sales.
Some benefits of registering designs:
- Faster and more affordable than patents.
- Protects shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation.
- Helps deter copycats at early stages of market entry.
- Often the first IP right design-focused businesses secure.
- Can grow into trade mark protection as brand recognition builds.
Famous Examples of Design Protection
Design rights cover an astonishing range of products:
- The Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic silhouettes in the world.
- The iPhone 4’s outer case, where simplicity became the innovation.
- The Eames Lounge Chair, a design classic turned cultural icon.
- BurgerFuel’s “Doofer”, a clever cardboard burger holder from New Zealand.
- LEGO cogs, part of a vast web of registered components designed to block imitators.
- Louis Vuitton bags, backed by thousands of global design and patent registrations.
Each of these cases shows how design rights can add real value and shield against competition.
A Layered IP Strategy
The Coca-Cola® bottle is a textbook case. The company started with trade secrets and patents, but those protections had limits. By registering its bottle design in the 1920s—and later securing trade mark protection for the shape—Coca-Cola built an IP fortress. The distinctive design, combined with patents, trade marks, and copyright in advertising, made Coca-Cola more than just a drink. It became an enduring global brand.
This layered approach is the real strength of IP:
- Trade secrets protect what can’t be reverse-engineered.
- Patents protect functionality.
- Trade marks protect identity.
- Designs protect appearance.
Together, they form a shield—and a sword—that businesses can use to defend their market position and build long-term value.
Takeaway
Design rights may not be glamorous, but they’re powerful. They protect the look and feel that makes customers choose your product over a competitor’s. For businesses launching new products—or even refreshing existing ones—design protection should be part of the conversation from day one.
Ready to explore how design rights could strengthen your business? Talk to IP Solved today. Our team can help you unlock the full potential of your ideas with tailored IP strategies.
