Design Renewals – Following the EU Design Reform
Maybe most importantly, the new, higher renewal fees will take effect on May 1, 2025. Therefore, rights holders should strategically consider when to pay renewal fees to benefit from the current, lower rates.
Changes to Renewal Period and Grace Periods
The EUDR modifies how the renewal periods and grace periods are calculated. Previously, the expiration of a Registered EU Design ("REUD") was tied to the end of the month in which it was filed. However, under the new rules, REUDs will expire on the exact expiry date of the registration, and the grace period will start immediately after the expiry date.
There is then a six-month grace period to renew a design, which starts the day after the REUD expires.
What regime applies?
One of the most significant considerations is determining what rules apply. The cost of renewing a design will depend on when the renewal request is submitted and whether it falls under the old or new fee schedule.
- For designs with a renewal period starting before (1 May 2025), the old system will be used to determine the renewal and grace periods. For instance, if an REUD was filed on 15 April 2020, it must be renewed between 1 November 2024 and 30 April 2025. The grace period then runs from 1 May to 31 October 2025.
- For designs with a renewal period starting on or after the new rules apply (1 May 2025), the new system will be used. So, if an REUD was filed on 23 November 2020, it expires on 23 November 2025. It must be renewed between 24 May 2025 and 23 November 2025. The grace period then runs from 24 November to 23 May 2026.
Why Acting Early Is Important
The cost of renewing a design depends on when the renewal request is submitted:
- For renewal requests received before the date of application of the EUDR (1 May 2025), the old fee schedule from the CDFR’s Annex will apply.
- For renewal requests received on or after (1 May 2025), the fees set out in Annex I of the EUDR will apply, no matter the payment method or when the payment is processed.
Based on the new renewal periods, users can choose to renew their design before or after the new rules start (1 May 2025) to benefit from the best fee. Note that renewals are only possible within the six-month period before a design expires.
Fees for Renewal Requests filed Before 1 May 2025:
- First period of renewal: €90 per design
- Second period of renewal: €120 per design
- Third period of renewal: €150 per design
- Fourth period of renewal: €180 per design
Fees for Renewal Requests filed On or After 1 May 2025:
- First period of renewal: €150 per design
- Second period of renewal: €250 per design
- Third period of renewal: €400 per design
- Fourth period of renewal: €700 per design
Strategic Consideration for Renewal:
- Cost Savings: Act early and renew before May 1, 2025, to avoid higher fees.
- Flexibility: Assess whether to fully renew, partially new, or let certain designs lapse to avoid unnecessary expenses.
- Long-Term Planning: Early renewal offers certainty and reduces risk of missing deadline.
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