NINEIDEA：甲乙方们，大家好，今天来分享下深圳外观设计专利保护期的事！很多甲方乙方都会问到这个问题：“咱做产品设计的，申请专利后版权能保多久呀？” 其实这里有个小误区 —— 外观设计专利和版权是两码事，保护期限和规则都不一样哦！往下看，来了解下：
外观设计专利保护期：15 年黄金期
根据 2020 年修订的《专利法》第四十二条，外观设计专利保护期从申请日起算 15 年，全国统一，深圳也不例外！比如你 2023 年 1 月 1 日提交申请，保护期就到 2038 年 1 月 1 日。这 15 年里，你的设计独占权受法律保护，别人未经许可生产、销售同款产品都算侵权～
不过要注意两点：
年费不能断：
保护期内每年要缴年费，第 1-3 年每年 600 元，4-5 年每年 900 元，后面逐年递增。要是忘了缴费，专利可能提前失效哦！
过期就自由：
15 年一到，设计直接进入 “公有领域”，谁都能用，相当于免费开源啦。
版权保护期：
比专利更 “长寿”
如果你的设计图、产品原型等同时符合版权保护条件（比如具有独创性），版权保护期是作者有生之年 + 去世后 50 年；
要是公司法人作品，保护期到首次发表后 50 年。举个栗子：你 2025 年设计了一款潮玩，版权保护就到你去世后 50 年，比专利多了几十年！
但版权和专利有啥区别呢？简单说：
专利：
保护产品外观的 “设计方案”，需要申请审查，保护力度强但期限固定。
版权：
保护设计的 “表达形式”（比如手稿、效果图），自动产生无需申请，但维权时可能需要登记证明。
深圳本地政策：全国统一，没有特殊条款
很多朋友担心深圳会不会有啥 “地方特色”，比如保护期更长或更短？答案是 ——完全按国家法律来！
深圳作为科技创新高地，知识产权保护力度很强，但保护期限、申请流程都是国家知识产权局统一规定的，不会额外延长或缩短哦。
小建议：组合保护更稳妥
如果你的设计很有商业价值，建议同时申请外观设计专利 + 版权登记：
专利能快速锁定产品外观的独占权，适合打击竞品抄袭；
版权能保护设计的原始表达（比如手绘稿），覆盖专利可能遗漏的细节。
这样一来，就算专利过期了，版权还能继续保护你的创意！
15 年专利 + 终身版权，双重保障更安心
外观设计专利：
15 年保护期，需缴年费，过期自由使用；
版权：
作者终身 + 死后 50 年，自动保护，建议登记确权；
深圳政策：
无特殊规定，全国统一标准。
最后提醒大家，申请前一定要查新，确保设计没被别人抢先注册～
有任何疑问，直接打电话给深圳知识产权局咨询，官方解答最靠谱！
冲鸭，让你的设计被法律狠狠保护起来！
Shenzhen design copyright can be protected in this way
NINEIDEA: Hello, both parties. Today, let’s share about the protection period of appearance design patents for product designs in Shenzhen! Many parties ask this question: “As product designers, how long can the copyright be protected after applying for a patent?” In fact, there is a small misconception here – design patents and copyrights are two different things, with different protection periods and rules! Read down to learn more:
Design patent protection period: 15 years golden period
According to Article 42 of the revised Patent Law in 2020, the protection period of a design patent is 15 years from the date of application, which is unified nationwide and Shenzhen is no exception! For example, if you submit your application on January 1, 2023, the protection period will expire on January 1, 2038. In the past 15 years, your exclusive design rights have been protected by law, and anyone who produces or sells the same product without permission is considered an infringement
However, two points should be noted:
The annual fee cannot be interrupted:
During the protection period, an annual fee must be paid, with 600 yuan per year for the first three years and 900 yuan per year for the fourth and fifth years, increasing annually thereafter. If you forget to pay, the patent may expire early!
Expired and free:
Once the year 15 arrives, design will directly enter the “public domain” and anyone can use it, which is equivalent to free and open source.
Copyright protection period:
Longer life than patents
If your design drawings, product prototypes, etc. meet the copyright protection conditions (such as originality), the copyright protection period is the author’s lifetime+50 years after death;
If it is a corporate work, the protection period is 50 years after the first publication. For example, if you design a trendy toy in 2025, the copyright protection will last for 50 years after your death, which is several decades longer than a patent!
But what is the difference between copyright and patent? Simply put:
Patent:
The “design scheme” that protects the appearance of the product requires an application for review, with strong protection but a fixed deadline.
Copyright:
Protecting the “expression form” of design (such as manuscripts, renderings) automatically generates without the need for application, but registration proof may be required for rights protection.
Local policy in Shenzhen: Unified nationwide, no special terms
Many friends are worried that Shenzhen may have some “local characteristics”, such as longer or shorter protection periods? The answer is – completely in accordance with national laws!
As a highland of scientific and technological innovation, Shenzhen has strong intellectual property protection, but the protection period and application process are uniformly stipulated by the China National Intellectual Property Administration, and will not be extended or shortened.
Small suggestion: Combination protection is more secure
If your design has significant commercial value, it is recommended to apply for both a design patent and copyright registration
Patents can quickly lock in exclusive rights to product appearance, making them suitable for combating competitor plagiarism;
Copyright can protect the original expression of design (such as hand drawn drafts) and cover details that may be overlooked by patents.
In this way, even if the patent expires, the copyright can still protect your creativity!
15 year patent+lifetime copyright, dual protection for peace of mind
Design Patent:
15 year protection period, annual fee required, free use after expiration;
Copyright:
Author lifetime+50 years after death, automatic protection, it is recommended to register and confirm ownership;
Shenzhen Policy:
No special regulations, unified national standards.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone to check for updates before applying to ensure that the design has not been pre registered by others
If you have any questions, please call the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Office directly for consultation. Official answers are the most reliable!
Chong Duck, let your design be fiercely protected by the law!
