In 2024, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) implemented a significant change to the fee structure for Industrial Design applications.  Along with this fee increase, there has also been a change associated with additional visual representations in an application, marking a departure from the previous page-based fee structure. This article provides a detailed analysis of this specific change. Let’s explore this further.

The Old Fee Structure

Previously, the fee structure for Industrial Design applications was based on the number of pages. Specifically, there was a fee of $10.75 for each additional page in excess of 10. This meant that if your application had more than 10 pages of drawings, you would have to pay an extra $10.75 for each additional page.

The 2024 Update

Fast forward to 2024, CIPO has made a significant change. The fee has increased to $14, but more importantly, it’s no longer for each additional page. Instead, the fee is now for each photograph or graphic reproduction in excess of 10.

This means that the focus has shifted from the number of pages to the number of visual representations. If your application includes more than 10 photographs or graphic reproductions, you will need to pay an additional $14 for each one.

What Does This Mean for You?

This change appears to simplify the fee structure. It’s no longer about how many pages your application has, but about how many visual representations it includes. It appears that each Figure view in the design application constitutes a visual representation.

Remember, a well-prepared application can save you time and money. So, consider the number of visual representations you include in your application carefully.

As always, we’re here to help you navigate these changes and make the most of your intellectual property.

Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!