Industrial design law in France

French design law includes both French and Community Designs. In France, subject to compliance with the requirements of the respective intellectual property titles, designs may also be protected by copyright law, patent law, trademark law and unfair competition law. Design rights may be unregistered or acquired though registration at the relevant office and benefit from priority rights. Designs last for five-year terms renewable up to a 25-year limit. Design disputes, notably based on infringement or invalidity may be brought before specialized courts. Also, Community design invalidity actions may be brought before the EUIPO. Design infringement takes place when the overall impression of the design is reproduced without authorization. The recent introduction of the ‘repair clause’ under French law applicable to the car industry has been a major change. At the EU stage, there are discussions about reforming design law.