From Monday 15 November 2010, The Trademark and Design Registration Office of the European Union (otherwise known as ‘OHIM’) will only issue registration certificates for Registered Community Designs electronically. Previously paper certificates were issued.
The move is intended to speed up the registration process and brings the Community Design registration process in line with the Community Trademark registration process, where electronic certificates have been routine for some time.
The electronic certificates will have exactly the same appearance and legal value as the paper certificates.
OHIM will notify users that the certificate is available and users will be able to download or print off a copy of the certificate directly from the OHIM website.