Industrial design is a form of intellectual property (IP) protection that focuses on the aesthetic or ornamental aspects of a product. It refers to the visual features of shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation applied to a product that give it a unique appearance. Industrial design protection is important for manufacturers and designers to safeguard their creations from being copied or imitated by others in the marketplace.
Typically, industrial designs are registered with government authorities to obtain exclusive rights over the design for a certain period of time. This allows the owner to prevent unauthorized copying or reproduction of the design by competitors. Industrial design protection complements other forms of IP, such as patents and trademarks, by focusing specifically on the visual appearance of products rather than their functional or brand-related aspects.