Industrial design law relates to the protection of the appearance of objects or articles made in quantities of more than fifty and which are based on designs which are addressed to the shape, pattern or ornamentation of the objects or articles. Certain designs of two or three dimensional shapes, patterns or ornamentation are not protected under copyright law if more than fifty copies of an article bearing such design are made. Some, but not all, of those designs may be protected under industrial design law.

Unlike copyright, but similar to patents and integrated circuit topographies, the industrial design system requires registration in each country in order to create enforceable rights. Industrial design registration is available to protect aesthetic features of an article or product. Industrial design law is intended to provide protection for features of shape, configuration or ornament applied to an article or product.

The rights in a registered design give the owner a degree of control over subsequent use or dealings with a design or articles embodying that design. Failure to file an application within one year of any public use, disclosure or sale of the design or a product or process bearing the design may result in loss of rights.