The Importance Of Design

1595 Words4 Pages

What is Design?
It is important that designers and innovators know how to protect the products of their own intellect and creative ideas. Many of these creative industries include multimedia, photography, advertising, animation, illustration and graphic design, just to name a few. Design is an ability and skill that develops products to improve functionality, efficiency and style. It has become vital to building livable and sustainable communities.

Design, by definition, refers to the ‘features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation, which gives a product a unique appearance, and must be new and distinctive.’

Design under IP is particularly specific as it does not refer to just anything visually communicated (i.e. brochures, websites, advertisements and visual identities), but rather focuses on the product design itself. Product design refers to the items visual appearance, but not how it internally functions, material or feel. It also refers to design process that was undertaking in order to complete the final product. Some well-known examples of registered designs include the 1984 electric jug, the 1976 Speedo swimming trunks and the 1986 Dunlop Tyre.
Laws and regulations regarding design in Australia are implemented under the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act 2012 and even more recently the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2014. These are proposed to amend the Designs Act (2003) and Designs Regulations (2004) by raising quality and standards to an international level, reducing delays in application processes and simplifying the system of application process by making it easier to use. These are the greatest changes to these laws and regulations in 20 years. One of the major criti...

... middle of paper ...

...ate of producing fakes as much as with other IP branches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, design laws in relation to intellectual property have changed and developed to suit today’s globally expanding technology and communication. While these laws have not changed as frequently and dramatically as other sections of Intellectual Property, it is proven to update as needed. The upcoming changes in regulation for easing design’s registration is a step in the right direction for businesses although it can be difficult to manage. It encourages innovation in different industries, but doubtfully will stop counterfeiting on a large scale. Changing design regulations implements secrecy in relation to developing the best option for an entire society (i.e. health products), but essentially allows a creator to take control, ownership and usage of his or her new and distinctive work.

Open Document