Refused designs: a handy checklist

In "Heartache in Alicante -- see what OHIM refuses", Darren Smyth (EIP) posted a note on the availability online of OHIM grounds of refusal for Community design applications. Not all readers of Class 99 may know about this facility. For reference, the relevant page of the OHIM website looks like this:

Refused Designs

The files relating to applications for registered Community designs which have not yet been published are not available for inspection. Prior to publication, files may be inspected if the applicant consents to the inspection or if there is a legitimate interest in inspecting the file without the consent of the applicant.

• 2012-01     29/02/2012
• 2012-02     31/03/2012

While the functionality of this facility is a little limited, since the refused design is not shown, the reasons nonetheless may provide a handy check-list for applicants to run through before they file.