Industrial Design Search: A 2026 Guide and Search Tools

Before filing an application to register an industrial design, one step that should not be skipped is an industrial design search. A search helps a business make a preliminary assessment of whether protection is available, and avoids investing in a design that someone else has already registered or that has been publicly disclosed — situations that will cause the application to be refused for lack of novelty. This article explains how to search industrial designs using official tools.

Why is an industrial design search necessary?

An industrial design is granted exclusive protection only when it meets three conditions: it must be new, it must be creative, and it must be capable of industrial application. Among these, novelty is the condition most easily "tripped up" — a design is considered not new if it is identical to, or not significantly different from, a design that was publicly disclosed before the filing date. Searching before filing helps you to:

• Check whether an identical or similar design has already been registered or published;
• Reduce the risk of refusal and the loss of cost and time in pursuing the application;
• Adjust the design to increase the likelihood of protection;
• Assess the risk of infringing third-party rights when bringing the product to market.

The Locarno Classification — the foundation of a search

Industrial designs are classified according to the Locarno International Classification, which divides products into classes and subclasses by function. When searching, correctly identifying the product's Locarno class helps to narrow the results accurately and avoids missing similar designs in the same field. You may refer to the Locarno Classification for designs to determine the appropriate class before searching.

Tools for searching industrial designs

You can search for free through the following official databases:

1. The database of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam

The Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam provides an online search database (a digital library of industrial property) that allows you to look up industrial design applications and certificates filed or granted in Vietnam. This is the most important source because it directly reflects the rights that have been established within the territory of Vietnam.

2. WIPO's Global Design Database

The WIPO Global Design Database allows you to search industrial designs from many countries and from the international registration system. This tool is useful when you want to assess novelty on an international scale — especially when you plan to export or to register designs abroad.

3. Searching by image and by keyword

In addition to searching by application number and applicant, you can search by Locarno classification, by product name, and refer to design images to visually compare the degree of difference.

Preliminary search and in-depth search

A preliminary search is suitable for quickly ruling out designs that are clearly duplicated. However, assessing "significant difference" is a specialist task; for important products, an in-depth search should be carried out to provide a solid basis before filing.

Basic steps for a preliminary search

1. Identify the product and the corresponding Locarno classification class;
2. Access the database of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam and/or WIPO;
3. Search by Locarno classification and product name, combined with viewing design images;
4. Compare the design you intend to register with the results found, in terms of shape, lines and overall aesthetics;
5. Record closely similar designs to assess the degree of difference, or consult an expert if the results are unclear.

Points to note when searching

• The results of a preliminary search are for reference only and do not replace the examination conclusion of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam.
• Novelty is assessed on a worldwide basis, so searching only in Vietnamese data is not sufficient for products with international elements.
• Databases have an update lag; newly filed applications may not yet appear.
• Once the search results are satisfactory, you should proceed to register the industrial design early to secure the priority date, because disclosing the design to the market yourself before filing can destroy its novelty.

Frequently asked questions

Can I search industrial designs for free by myself?

Yes. You can carry out a free preliminary search yourself through the online databases of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam and the WIPO Global Design Database. However, the results are for reference only.

Is an industrial design search mandatory?

It is not mandatory, but it is highly advisable. A search helps assess novelty, reduce the risk of refusal and save the cost and time of pursuing the application.

How does a preliminary search differ from an in-depth search?

A preliminary search is carried out by you through free data, giving a quick check for obvious duplication. An in-depth search is carried out by an industrial property agent, providing a comprehensive assessment of novelty and degree of difference, with analysis and recommendations.

Is searching in Vietnamese data enough?

Not necessarily. Because novelty is assessed on a worldwide basis, for products with international elements you should also search international databases such as WIPO.