From Community Design to EU Design: What Changed on July 01, 2026

When developing new products, priority is usually given to functionality, the target market and appearance. The legal protection of the design itself often tends to be overlooked. Nevertheless, design law is an effective and pragmatic means of safeguarding your creative work and preventing imitation. Following the reform of European design regulations in 2025, not only has the terminology changed, but also the procedures, the scope of protection and the fees. The second and decisive phase entered into force on 1 July 2026.

New Name, New Regulation

The most visible change concerns the terminology. The outdated term “Community design” becomes the “EU design” (“EUD” for short). The underlying legislation, formerly the Community Design Regulation, is now the EU Design Regulation (EUDR). All existing Community designs and pending applications are automatically converted into EU designs or applications for EU designs. The respective applicants do not need to take any action in this regard. The EUDR is supplemented by two secondary legal acts: the Implementing Regulation (EUDIR) and the Delegated Regulation on EU designs (EUDDR).

A Gradual Introduction

The reform did not come into force all at once, but in two phases. The first phase has been in place since 1 May 2025, covering the basis for the new terminology and design symbol, as well as changes to multiple applications. The second phase came into force on 1 July 2026, bringing the remaining changes into effect alongside the new Implementing and Delegated Regulations. The revised Design Directive must also be transposed into national law in the respective Member States by 9 December 2027.

Extended Protection for Digital and Animated Designs

The reform responds to the transformation of designs in the new media landscape brought about by the digital age. The term “design” now includes animations, i.e. gradual changes to design features through movement or transition. The term “product” has also been redefined to expressly include non-physical items. Consequently, graphical user interfaces, icons, surface patterns and spatial arrangements for interior and exterior design can now be protected more efficient. This provides companies with digital products, apps or animated user interfaces with more comprehensive protection options.

Application, Procedure and Marking

The application procedure for EU designs has been streamlined, meaning that applications can now only be filed centrally with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The previous requirement of class uniformity for multiple applications no longer applies, meaning that designs from different Locarno classes can be combined. This allows several different products from a single applicant to be combined in a single multiple design application. The maximum number of designs per application is now 50.

A new marking notice has also been introduced, allowing holders to mark their protected products with a “D” in a circle (Ⓓ). This is comparable to the well-known “®” symbol used in trademark law.

Amended Fee Structure

The reform also revises the fee structure. The registration fee and the publication fee are now combined into a single application fee. Furthermore, there has been a significant increase in the renewal fees, which rise with each subsequent renewal.

Would You Like to Protect Your Designs Optimally?

We would be happy to advise you during an initial, no-obligation consultation about how the new regulations affect your portfolio and which designs can now be protected.