Do I need to register my design?

You don’t need to register your design. Copyright protection exists automatically when an original design is created. However, it is more difficult and expensive to prove someone has infringed copyright than it is to prove they have infringed a registered design. A certificate of design registration is proof you own the design, and an easier way to deter any potential infringements.

By registering your design in New Zealand, you gain exclusive rights in New Zealand relating to the article which has the design applied to it (or a substantially similar design). These exclusive rights are to make or import the article for sale or use in trade or business, and to sell or hire the article or offer for sale or hire, and to make anything enabling the designed article to be made, such as moulds or dies.

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