CABINET CHAILLOT Industrial Property Attorneys in France Professional Representative before the EPO Professional Representative before the OHIM France: Colombes | La Roche-sur-Yon | Dijon   Français | Español New Italian Registered Designs or Models Law n°95 of February 2, 2001 (in force from April 19, 2001) The main changes are follows : Definition and protection conditions A design or model must have an individual character, which means that the general impression it gives must be different from the one given by prior designs or models. The disclosure of a design or model by his or her author or successor in title within 12 months prior to the filing date is not a bar to the novelty of the registered design or model. Conditions for a double protection If a product which can be registered as a model has also an artistic value, it can be also protected by the copyright law. Duration of the protection The maximum duration is extended to 25 years upon payment of quinquennial fees ; such an extension applies to all designs in force on April 19, 2001. Registration of a complex product A component of a complex product can make the subject-matter of a registration if it is visible during the standard use of the product. However, the model rights cannot apply against the manufacturers and/or sellers of the spare parts necessary for re-establishing the original appearance of the complex product.