Webinar: European design reforms from 1 May 2025

Reform of designs in the EU is now in full swing, with the first phase taking full effect from 1 May 2025. Some of the details for the second phase were made available with the first phase details, although these will only come into force along with secondary legislation, which will follow. The reforms to the centralised EU design system are also paired with reform of national design rights in the EU countries, with those countries being due to implement a reformed Design Directive by the end of 2027.

We first reported on various details of the reforms in November 2024. Recently we reported on the Phase 1 changes being rolled out from 1 May. In this webinar, we cover the timeline for entry into force of the reforms as well as provide a thorough review of substantive updates to rights, protections offered and new limits placed on designs being brought in in Phase 1. We also give an overview of the reforms seeking to modernise the EU design system, including a detailed look at the new repair clause and changes to the filing and examination procedure and grace period. We provide an update on the less significant adjustments being carried out as well. This is in conjunction with us exploring some of the details available for Phase 2, along with a look at what aspirations there are for this second phase and touching on the focus of the Design Directive.

Click here to download a copy of the webinar slides.

If you have any questions about these changes to the European design system, please contact the presenters Alistair Holzhauer-Barrie or Luca Colombo, or contact our designs team at gje@gje.com.