Why Patents Matter in Product Design and How IDC Supports IP Strategy
So, you’ve got an idea. It might be a short, bullet-pointed concept or a fully formed product you are ready to bring to life. In the world of product design patents, innovation is vital, but so is protection.
At IDC, our team has vast experience in developing successful products with creativity and usability in mind whilst ensuring its uniqueness is fully safeguarded. Patents are a central part of that strategy, offering both legal strength and market confidence.
The Role of Product Design Patents in Innovation
Product design patents serve dual purposes: they secure the unique features of your product from imitation, and reflect the value of technical and aesthetic creativity. They not only protect your investment, but also enable you to navigate competitive markets with confidence.
IDC’s R&D and Patents Service: Building IP from the Start
At IDC, our dedicated R&D and patents process moves in step with product development - integrating protection without slowing creativity. Our team of designers and engineers have collectively developed over one hundred patents across a diverse range of sectors, including consumer products, medical devices, industrial machinery, packaging, business equipment and much more.
Our patent process is embedded within every project stage. Here’s how we ensure robust IP support from the start: At project kickoff, we collaborate with your IP team or patent attorneys to map existing patents and establish a clear baseline. In parallel, we drive creative exploration and experimentation, seeking technically and aesthetically compelling solutions. We review early concepts to identify potential conflicts with competitor IP, and either modify or reconsider ideas that pose a risk. Shortlisted concepts then receive scrutiny from patent attorneys to confirm freedom to operate. As the design evolves, we highlight novel features and help define the content of patent specifications. Finally, under our standard agreement, if IDC completes the work, patent rights transfer to you - you retain ownership of the innovation. This structured, collaborative approach ensures that patents are not an afterthought, but a core part of the design process. IDC applies proven strategies to avoid patent infringement and build strong IP positions. Three core methods we use include: Invent and Check, where we explore new ideas and then verify their novelty and patentability. For example, this approach helped create an innovative “Click and Lock” assembly mechanism for Ulti‑Rack that was successfully patented. Identify and Avoid, which starts with examining existing patents to guide alternate solutions. A notable example is the redesign of a drive mechanism in a Wockhardt injection pen. Competitor patents were analysed, an original mechanism developed, and new patent protection secured for the client. Search, Invent and Check, used for complex landscapes with many overlapping patents. This strategy was applied in the Venner Laryngoscope project, enabling IDC to avoid competitor patents and obtain IP protection for a novel optical arrangement. These approaches help ensure that your product avoids legal challenges while achieving genuine innovation.How We Support IP Strategy Throughout the Design Journey
Navigating Patent Risks with Strategic Techniques
Why Early IP Alignment Benefits Your Product
Reduced risk: addressing IP issues sooner avoids costly redesigns or legal disputes later.
Stronger patents: identifying and building around unique features increases patent defensibility.
Clear ownership: our simple terms ensure you keep the rights to your invention.
How IDC Combines Design and IP for Long-Term Advantage
As a full-service product design consultancy, IDC offers end-to-end delivery, from design and prototyping to regulatory support and IP strategy, including our establishedR&D and patents service. This integrated approach delivers innovative, protected products that are market-ready and contestable.
Protect Your Product Today
Product design patents are not just legal tools, they are strategic levers for innovation. At IDC, we support your ideas with design excellence and IP foresight, setting the stage for products that are creative, precise and protected.
If you are ready to turn your concepts into patentable reality, explore our R&D and patents service and see how IDC can help secure your innovation from inception.