An industrial design is an artistic, or both artistic and technical, solution that determines the appearance of an article.

An application for the grant of a patent of the Republic of Belarus for an industrial design is filed with the National Center of Intellectual Property (hereinafter the Center).

An application should refer to one industrial design and can include its variants (the requirement of industrial property unity).

An application for an industrial design should contain:

• a petition for the grant of a patent with indication of a creator (co-creators) of an industrial design and a person (persons) in whose name the patent is claimed as  well as their place of residence and whereabouts;
• a set of representations of an article (model, drawing) giving a complete and detailed idea of the article appearance; 
• a description of the industrial design including the total of its essential features;
• a drawing of the article general view,  an ergonomic layout, a confection card if necessary for the disclosure of the essence of the industrial design.

To an application there are attached the following documents:

• a document attesting payment of the patent fee (a copy of a payment order with a bank note or a bank receipt), or a document attesting the grounds for exemption from its payment or for its payment in a reduced amount; 
• a power of attorney if an application is filed through a patent attorney;
• a certified copy of the first application if an application is filed in accordance with the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (a convention application). 

In the course of examination the test of a claimed industrial design for patentability is not carried out.

A patent for an industrial design is valid for 10 years from the date of the application filing with  the patent organ. The term of a patent is extended on the petition of a patent holder up to five years.

The application materials should be prepared in accordance with the following normative-legal acts:

• Law of the Republic of Belarus on Patents for Inventions, Utility Models, Industrial Designs;
• Regulations on Compiling, Filing and Examination of Application for the Grant of Patent for Industrial Design;
• Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus “On Patent Fees”.   

It is possible to consult on preparation of an application with patent attorneys of the Republic of Belarus.