Design law has been fundamentally modernized – only at the EU level, now also in Germany. The goal is protection, that fits the digital economy: for virtual products, Animations and against imitations via 3D printing.

BE: Union design since 1. More 2025

With the regulation (BE) 2024/2822 became the “Community design”. Union designs. The most important changes:

• Digital Designs: Even non-physical products, virtual designs and animations (Movements and transitions) are protectable.
• 3D-Print: The creating, Downloading and sharing print files of a protected design may be an infringement. Goods in transit can also be stopped.
• Repair clause: Spare parts for molded components (from. B. fender) may be rebuilt for repair; Consumers must be informed about the origin.
• New barriers: Comment, Criticism and parody as well as actions regarding interoperability are permitted.
• verfahren: Registrations only with the EUIPO, bis zu 50 Designs per collective application regardless of class, new design symbol Ⓓ, changed fees with higher renewal fees.

since 1. July 2026 The new implementation also applies- and delegated acts („Phase II“).

Germany: Law to modernize design law

The design guideline (BE) 2024/2823 must be implemented nationally. The Bundestag passed the law to modernize design law 24. September 2026 decided. It largely transfers the innovations 1:1 into the design law: Protecting digital and virtual designs, Extension to preparatory actions for 3D printing, a binding repair clause with a shortened transition period, a registration symbol and clearer rules on the duration of protection, Maintenance and deletion at the DPMA. Registered designs remain valid for up to 25 Years protected (Extension in five-year increments).

What does that mean for you??

• Check, whether digital products, User interfaces or animations should now be protected as designs.
• Schedule renewals with the new fees.
• Manufacturers of spare parts should adapt their supply chains and labeling to the repair clause.

We advise you on registration and enforcement: Designrecht.

Sources: Regulation (BE) 2024/2822; Richtlinie (BE) 2024/2823; IHK Hanover, Reform of EU design law; Bundestag resolution v. 24.09.2026. General overview, no legal advice in individual cases. Stand: November 2026.