Chapter II: Filing formalities

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Article R512-3

French Intellectual Property CodeIn force

Updated 7 Nov 2023

Where a single filing relates to several designs, the products in which these designs are intended to be incorporated or to which they are intended to be applied must fall within the same class, within the meaning of the classification established by the Locarno Agreement of 8 October 1968. However, this condition does not apply where the filing relates to ornamentation or if it has been made in the simplified form provided for in the fifth paragraph of Article L. 512-2.

The application includes:

1° An application for registration drawn up in accordance with the conditions laid down in the decision referred to in Article R. 514-5 and specifying in particular:

a) The identification of the applicant;

b) The number of designs concerned;

c) The total number of graphic or photographic reproductions included in the application, which may not relate to more than one hundred reproductions;

d) The number of reproductions which relate to each identified design;

e) The usual designation of the product in which the design is intended to be incorporated or to which it is intended to be applied;

f) Where applicable, an indication that publication of the filing is to be deferred, that the right of priority attached to a previous foreign filing is claimed or that a guarantee certificate has been issued pursuant to the Law of 13 April 1908;

2° A graphic or photographic reproduction of the designs presented in accordance with the conditions set out in the decision referred to in 1°. Each reproduction must relate to a single object and represent only that object, to the exclusion of any other object, accessory, person or animal. Explanatory texts, captions or any other indication that is not an integral part of the design are not permitted on or next to the reproductions. Reproductions may be accompanied by a brief description drawn up exclusively for documentary purposes. Its definitive content shall, if necessary, be formatted by the National Institute of Industrial Property;

3° Proof of payment of the prescribed fees;

4° If an agent is appointed, the agent's power of attorney, unless he is an industrial property attorney or a lawyer.

The applicant may, until the publication provided for in Article R. 512-10, obtain at his own expense an official copy of the documents contained in his filing.

Mariela Petrova

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Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In Corporate Practice

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Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

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