A design patent protects the visual appearance of a product, including software interfaces, icons, mascots, and industrial components. The protection term lasts for 25 years, provided the patent is maintained every 5 years. The registration process typically takes between two and six months.
Patent infringement carries significant financial risks. As of January 1, 2026, the maximum compensation for a single violation has doubled to 10 ₽ million. Beyond monetary penalties, companies may be forced to redesign products or halt production, leading to substantial losses. In one case, a company was ordered to pay 2.36 ₽ million and cease production of machinery.
Legal consequences can also be criminal. In the Ulyanovsk region, a company executive faced criminal charges for patent infringement involving damages exceeding 11 ₽ million, with a court order to destroy all counterfeit goods.
Moscow has launched a support program for local businesses in 2026, offering free assistance with patent application preparation. Companies and individual entrepreneurs registered in the city can utilize this service to secure multiple design patents, covering elements such as application interfaces and website design.
