Design registration helps protect the appearance of a product, such as its shape or pattern.
A design registration lasts 5 years and must be renewed every 5 years to keep it protected - up to a maximum of 25 years.

The design must be new - this means the application to register it should be filed before the design is made available to the public (anywhere in the world). However, there is a 12 month grace period during which designs can be shown before making the application to register them.