Design rights protection and the strategic role of industrial property in Fass
On April 26 we celebrate International Intellectual Property Day, an occasion to reflect on the importance of protecting ideas and innovations. For us, although this is unusual in our industry, it is a fundamental pillar of the FASS reality: in fact, we have always invested in research and development, (also with the help of designers), to consolidate our competitive advantage and counter imitations.
Fass Licenses
Research is the engine of our growth, supported by a strategy of industrial property protection. We currently hold:
– 9 invention patents, with extensive international coverage, including Europe, Asia and the Americas;
– 2 utility model patents;
– 21 design deposits;
– 1 globally registered trademark.
One of the latest achievements is the patent for the Super4 broom, a solution that integrates three different types of fibers, each with a specific function, combined with a “barrier crossing.”
Another example is the mechanism introduced and patented in the fass cap that allows it to rotate while remaining a single piece, thus improving the ergonomics and functionality of the product.
Utility model and design patents: differences and role
In addition to invention patents, we use utility model patents, which are instruments of protection designed to protect functional improvements made to existing products. These patents are particularly useful for incremental innovations, which, without being revolutionary, offer improved technical solutions.
Industrial design, on the other hand, protects the visual elements of a product, such as shape, colors and distinctive lines. While patents address the technical workings of an invention, design focuses on visual identity and aesthetic impact, strengthening our brand recognition and consumer loyalty.
Design protection
Industrial design is not merely an aesthetic element, but a distinctive factor that gives identity and recognizability to our products. For this reason, we register our designs to safeguard their originality, avoiding unauthorized reproductions and ensuring exclusivity that strengthens our competitiveness. In an industry where attention to innovation or product aesthetics is often marginal, we have chosen to constantly invest in design, collaborating with experts to develop solutions that combine functionality and visual identity.
We are one of the few companies in the household cleaning supplies industry that can guarantee the production of protected and nonreplicable designs, not only at the European level. Through our design warehouses, we offer our partners solid protection against counterfeits, ensuring them a real competitive advantage.
