Registered designs or design patents are a way of protecting the appearance of a product. In Australia the registered design can be used to protect the shape, pattern or configuration of a product. But in the end, the reach of the design registration is limited by how a product looks. This can be a powerful tool and registered designs usually cost less than patents. They can be very effective where demand for your product is driven by appearance or where your product's appearance is new and your competitors are likely to copy that "look".

In the United States, design patents are limited to protecting the ornamental features of a product. If your product's look is determined by functional rather than ornamental considerations, you are better off seeking a regular utility patent rather than a design patent.

Registered designs are often used to protect furniture, clothing, architectural mouldings and extrusions, novelty items, "designer" goods, household appliances or other "fashion" items which rely on innovative appearance in their market.