The Ⓓ symbol is coming to Europe : good news for designers
Since the 1st May 2025designers in the European Union finally have an official symbol to protect their creations: the Ⓓ symbol, for trademarks or © for copyrighted works. A small sign, but a major step forward for the visibility of protected design.
Ⓓ : A new symbol for registered designs
With the introduction of the Ⓓ, the European Union is responding to a long-standing request for a simple, legible signage for registered designs. Until now, professionals have been doing their best to use terms such as ‘Mod. Reg.’, “RCD” or even the © symbol, which is reserved for copyright.
Welcome harmonisation
This reform puts an end to a certain amount of confusion, harmonises practices across all member countries. It places design within a logic similar to that of trademark law, reinforcing its legal and public legibility.
Article 26a strengthens the legal framework
The Ⓓ symbol has its legal basis in the new Article 26a of Regulation (EU) on designs and models. It clearly states that :
‘The owner of a registered design may indicate protection by displaying a D in a circle (Ⓓ) on the product concerned.’
This statement may be accompanied by :
The registration number,
The link to the official database of the EUIPO.
A deterrent to copying
As well as providing information, the symbol also has an important role to play. deterrent function : By clearly displaying their legal protection, designers can curb attempts at plagiarism or counterfeiting, which are particularly common in the furniture, fashion and packaging sectors.
Graphic freedom
To date, no graphic standard has been imposed : the symbol Ⓓ has no official typography. It can therefore be freely styled, according to the identity of the designer or the brand.
It's a strategic choice: as with © or ®, the European Union is banking on flexibility of use while establishing a common, easily identifiable landmark.
‘This symbol does not automatically protect the design. It simply indicates that it is registered.’
A step towards a more comprehensive reform of design law
The arrival of the Ⓓ is not an isolated gesture. It is part of a wider reform of European design law, the first in over 20 years. This reform aims to :
Encouraging design innovation,
Faciliter la reconnaissance des droits à l’échelle européenne,
Modernising registration procedures,
An opportunity for design and branding agencies
For the agencies, this reform is also an opportunity to showcase their customers's creations : by displaying the Ⓓ symbol on products, media or visuals, they reinforce the image of their customers, legitimacy and protection of concepts they develop.
Top 3 advantages of the Ⓓ symbol :
What's next ?
The designers, agencies and companies concerned can already :
Update their product supports with the Ⓓ symbol,
Check the registration of their models on theEUIPO,
Inform their partners of this major regulatory change.
