Právní ochrana designu: Co musíte vědět o autorských právech a registrování výrobků

When you create a unique door handle, a custom kitchen layout, or a distinctive cabinet shape, you’re not just building furniture—you’re creating právní ochrana designu, legální mechanismus, který chrání unikátní vzhled výrobku před neoprávněným kopírováním. Also known as ochrana vzhledu výrobku, it is the only way to stop someone from copying your work and selling it as their own—even if they change a few details. Many small workshops in the Czech Republic don’t realize this protection exists, or think it’s only for big brands. That’s a mistake.

Design isn’t just about looks—it’s intellectual property. If you spend weeks perfecting a door profile, a handle shape, or a joint technique that gives your furniture a signature look, someone else can legally copy it unless you register it. The Czech Industrial Property Office allows you to register design rights for up to 25 years. You don’t need a patent. You don’t need a lawyer. You just need clear drawings or photos of your design, a description, and a small fee. Once registered, you can legally demand removal of copied products from the market. Many clients come to us asking if they can protect their custom-built wardrobes or kitchen fronts. The answer is yes—and it’s easier than you think.

Related to this is autorské právo, ochrana vzniklých děl, která mají vlastní tvůrčí podobu, jako například návrh interiéru nebo unikátní vizuální složení. If your design is artistic enough—like a sculptural shelving unit or a hand-carved door frame—it may qualify for copyright protection automatically, even without registration. But for mass-produced items like standard doors or modular cabinets, design registration is your only real shield. Don’t confuse it with vlastnické právo designu, právo vlastnit fyzický výrobek, ale ne jeho návrh. Owning a cabinet doesn’t mean you own its design. Someone else could have made the exact same one first.

What you’ll find in the articles below are real cases from Czech homeowners and craftsmen who learned the hard way: copying happens. A client saw a custom door in a neighbor’s house, liked it, and asked us to copy it. We said no—not because we wouldn’t build it, but because we couldn’t legally reproduce someone else’s protected design. That’s why we’ve collected practical guides on how to protect your work, how to check if a design is already registered, and what to do if someone steals your idea. These aren’t theoretical rules—they’re tools used by local carpenters and interior designers who want to stay in business without fighting legal battles.