Company Creation: Keep your idea and product safe
Verified 01 April 2023 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Removing the Sun Envelope in Paper Form
Published on 1 April 2023
The decree no. 2023-166 of march 7, 2023 and the order of 24 march 2023 act to remove the paper-size Sun skin from the 1er april 2023. Only the digital version can be used. Envelopes purchased before this date remain valid if they are forwarded to the Inpi before 1er April 2024.
Are you worried that a competitor might steal your idea or project? The 1era question to ask yourself is: what do you want to protect? Know that an idea (concept, project) is not entitled to legal protection. One idea can be protected only if it is materialized. We explain how avoid possible thefts, depending on your project.
Protect your idea
Warning
Paper envelopes must have been purchased before 1er april 2023. After this date, you must use theDigital Sun Envelope.
Warning
This information is valid only for paper envelopes purchased before 1er april 2023. They must be filed with the Inpi before 1er april 2024.
Insert your project into the envelope
The Sun envelope consists of 2 compartments, i.e. 2 copies.
One is for you and the other one is for theInpi: titleContent.
In each compartment, you must enter a description (text) of your project or a schematic reproduction, drawing or photograph of your project.
The 2 copies must be exactly the same.
No clip, pin, paper clip, plastic, cardboard shall be inserted into the envelope.
The thickness of your envelope should not exceed 5 mm = not more than 7 sheets of A4 paper should be inserted.
If the envelope does not comply with these guidelines, it is returned to you at your expense without being registered.
Once filled, you must seal and close the envelope.
You must provide your first and last names and address to the locations you have been given.
How and where to deposit the envelope?
You must send the envelope to theInpi: titleContent either by post or on site.
By postal mail
You must insert your Soleau envelope in a postal mail either in a single letter or in a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
You must print address of theInpi: titleContent on the envelope or on paper stuck to the envelope.
The date that is taken into account for theregistering your protection is the date of receipt at the Inpi from your envelope.
On the spot
You can deposit your envelope directly at the headquarters of theInpi: titleContent.
A post office box is available outside the building.
Who shall I contact
Inpi - Soleau Envelope Management
You can do the 3 steps following:
- Drop a paper sun envelope
- Apply for renewal of coverage
- Request your envelope return
For the 3 steps, send a postal mail to the following address:
Inpi - Office of Designs
Managing Sun Envelopes
15 rue des Minimes - CS 50001
92677 Courbevoie Cedex
The date that is taken into account for start of protection is the date of your deposit to theInpi: titleContent.
Proof of registration of protection
You will receive an email with the date and registration number.
The Inpi sends you one of the 2 compartments, by registered letter.
You must keep it carefully without unsealing it, you must not open it.
Warning
If you make the mistake of uncovering (opening) the compartment that the Inpi sends back to you, your project is no longer protected.
What term of protection?
The Sun Envelope protects your idea for 5 years.
You can extend this protection for an additional 5 years by applying to theInpi: titleContent.
The cost of renewal is €15.
After a first renewal 5 years old, Inpi destroys your documents.
However, you can ask for their restitution before the end of the additional 5 years.
The request can be made at the following address:
Who shall I contact
Inpi - Soleau Envelope Management
You can do the 3 steps following:
- Drop a paper sun envelope
- Apply for renewal of coverage
- Request your envelope return
For the 3 steps, send a postal mail to the following address:
Inpi - Office of Designs
Managing Sun Envelopes
15 rue des Minimes - CS 50001
92677 Courbevoie Cedex
In your renewal application, you must specify the registration number and the date of your Soleau envelope. You must also send a check for €15 to the order of the "Accounting Officer of the Inpi".
In case of dispute
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We're challenging your idea
If a person challenges the fact that you are the author of an idea and brings the matter before the competent court, the president of the court then asks theInpi: titleContent of unarchive your Sun skin for it to be introduced as evidence.
You can also ask the Inpi directly for the envelope to be opened. It is strongly recommended toopen the envelope in the presence of a commissioner of justice (former bailiff and judicial auctioneer). The Commissioner of Justice shall draw up a report proving the contents of the envelope.
You must keep these minutes and the contents of the open envelope.
You're challenging an idea
If you think someone has stolen your idea or you want to prove that you had the idea before someone else, you have to go to the appropriate court.
The President of the Tribunal shall then ask theInpi: titleContent of unarchive your Sun skin for it to be introduced as evidence.
It is the comparison of the contents of the 2 compartments that authenticates the document.
FYI
Whether or not you chose the Soleau envelope, the best way to protect your project or idea is to keep it secret.
L'Inpi: titleContent makes available the e-Soleau service.
This service allows you to submit your idea online.
This approach makes it possible to protect, archive and date its creation.
How do I proceed?
You must create a personal account on the website of theInpi: titleContent, in space e-procedures.
E-soleau: drop a Soleau envelope online
You upload your files online.
This is the description (by text) of your project or the reproduction by schematic, drawing or photograph of your project.
You must create a personal account on the website of theInpi: titleContent, in space e-procedures.
Proof of registration of protection
The date that is taken into account for start of protection is the date of your deposit to theInpi: titleContent.
You will receive a confirmation email.
The email mentions the following:
- Date of filing
- List of documents filed and their electronic "footprint". This is the electronic archive number.
What term of protection?
The Soleau Digital Envelope protects your idea for 5 years.
Your documents remain accessible online for 5 years in your personal space.
You can extend this protection for an additional 5 years by applying to theInpi: titleContent.
The cost of renewal is €15.
After a first renewal of 5 years, the Inpi destroys your documents.
You can request their return before the end of the additional 5 years.
The request can be made at the following address:
Who shall I contact
Inpi - Soleau Envelope Management
You can do the 3 steps following:
- Drop a paper sun envelope
- Apply for renewal of coverage
- Request your envelope return
For the 3 steps, send a postal mail to the following address:
Inpi - Office of Designs
Managing Sun Envelopes
15 rue des Minimes - CS 50001
92677 Courbevoie Cedex
In case of dispute
We're challenging your idea
If a person challenges the fact that you are the author of an idea and brings the matter before the competent court, the President of the court will then ask theInpi: titleContent of unarchive your Sun skin for it to be introduced as evidence.
You can also ask the Inpi directly for the envelope to be opened. It is strongly recommended toopen the envelope in the presence of a Commissioner of Justice. The Commissioner of Justice shall draw up a report proving the contents of the envelope.
You must keep these minutes and the contents of the open envelope.
You're challenging an idea
If you think someone has stolen your idea or you want to prove that you had the idea before someone else, you have to go to the appropriate court.
The President of the Tribunal shall then ask theInpi: titleContent of unarchive your Sun skin for it to be introduced as evidence.
It is the comparison of the contents of the 2 compartments that authenticates the document.
FYI
Whether you chose the Soleau envelope or not, the best way to protect your project or idea is to keep it secret.
Protect your product
Your concept, your idea has taken a materialized form. You can then protect your product.
We present the most common products and how to protect.
You can also consult thesearch tool made available by theInpi: titleContent :
Find the right protection for multiple product types
Domain Name
One procedure is to be followed to protect the name of your website.
Computer code
Your website consists of a computer code.
Protection is provided by the copyright.
She's automatic.
You can contact theInpi: titleContent for specific questions:
Who shall I contact
Photos, texts and music from your site
Protection is provided by the copyright.
She's automatic.
You can contact theInpi: titleContent for specific questions:
Who shall I contact
All that identifies your product or your company in visible can become a mark.
The name, slogan, logo of your product or company must be registered with theInpi: titleContent.
Your brand is protected for 10 years.
The cost of filing a trademark depends on the number of items you want to protect. Count between €50 and €300.
How to register a trademark?
You must do this in 2 steps :
- Check the availability of the brand
- Deposit your brand
The 2 steps are done with theInpi: titleContent.
1 - You check the availability of your brand (name, logo, etc.) by the following search tool:
Check availability of a brand, logo, domain name
2 - You register your brand thanks to the on-line service next:
Game Name
All that identifies your product or your company in visible can become a mark.
The name of your video game must be registered as a trade mark with theInpi: titleContent.
Your brand is protected for 10 years.
The cost of filing a trademark depends on the number of items you want to protect. Count between €50 and €300.
How to register a trademark?
You must do this in 2 steps :
- Check the availability of the brand
- Deposit your brand
The 2 steps are done with theInpi: titleContent.
1 - You check the availability of your brand (name, logo, etc.) by the following search tool:
Check availability of a brand, logo, domain name
2 - You register your brand thanks to the on-line service next:
Please note
you can also watch the video proposed by theEUIPO: titleContent and theInpi: titleContent. It explains how to register a trademark.
Cartoon and game music
Protection is provided by the copyright.
She's automatic.
You can contact theInpi: titleContent for specific questions:
Who shall I contact
Computer code
Your video game consists of a computer code.
Protection is provided by the copyright.
She's automatic.
You can contact theInpi: titleContent for specific questions:
Who shall I contact
It is a new product or technique, previously unknown.
Example :
At the time of their creation, these products (or processes) were innovative: DTP (computer-aided production), Internet sales, airbag, electric bicycle, mobile phone, etc.
The patent filing helps protect your innovation.
The protection lasts 20 years.
The cost of the deposit varies between €20,000 and €40,000.
Please note
you can opt for a utility certificate. Its protection is 10 years only. It is suitable for short-lived innovations.
To finance your patent, you can use the research tax credit (CIR) or turn to funding agencies.
The appearance of your products is of strategic importance.
This creation distinguishes you from the competition and seduces the consumer.
You have 2 ways of protect the design or aesthetic shape of an object.
- Let his design is new, i.e. innovative, it has never been seen before on the market (artisanal or industrial). You can then protect it with a drawing (2D) or model (3D) deposition inInpi: titleContent.
- Either the design is not innovative, but it is by nature artistic. It is then protected by the copyright.
The cost of the deposit is €70.
Its protection lasts 5 years.
How do I deposit a drawing or model?
You have to check if your design or model does not already exist.
Availability of a drawing or model
You have to do the online filing of your design with the Inpi with the following service:
Drop a drawing or model online
Copyright protects an artistic design
The protection of an artistic design is done by the copyright.
She's automatic.
You can contact theInpi: titleContent for specific questions:
Who shall I contact
You are an entrepreneur in the field of agriculture or wine.
You process or manufacture agri-food or wine products.
You have 2 ways of protect your products:
- Your expertise: PGI: titleContent
- The strong link between the terroir and your product: AOC: titleContent (French) or PDO: titleContent (European)
We'll explain how to get both of these recognitions.
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Protecting the link between the product and the region (PDO and PDO)
Definition
The label AOC: titleContent guarantees the geographical origin of your product, at the terroir.
It is valid in the territory French.
He or she designates a product, all the stages of production of which are registered according to a recognized know-how in the same geographical area.
This strong link with the terroir gives its characteristics to the product.
Example :
Normandy Camembert, Espelette pepper, Cotentin cider, Chablis, Champagne, Ardèche chestnut, Grenoble nut, Puy green lentil, Nîmes olive
The European equivalent isPDO: titleContent.
Please note
You cannot apply for the French label AOC: titleContent if your product already has the European label PDO: titleContent.
The recognized product with a AOC: titleContent or a PDO: titleContent has a very precise specification.
How to request recognition in AOC: titleContent or PDO: titleContent ?
We explain below the procedure and the steps to apply.
You will also find the documents to be provided for this request.
Protecting regional know-how (PGI)
Definition
L'PGI: titleContent identifies an agricultural product, raw or processed, including the quality or the reputation are linked to its regional geographical origin.
It applies to the agricultural, agri-food and wine sectors on the French territory.
The product has a specification more flexible only products with a AOC: titleContent or a PDO: titleContent.
Example :
Quercy farm lamb, Collioure anchovy, Savoy emmental, Bayonne ham, Adour kiwi, Berry green lentils and 75 French wine-growing pools (country wines)
How to request recognition in PGI: titleContent ?
We explain below the procedure and the steps to apply.
You will also find the documents to be provided for this request.
You create packaging for products.
You have 3 ways to protect your creations according to the innovative or not of the packaging.
- Either your creations are of nature artisticThey are then protected by copyright.
- Either your packaging has a innovative design, you can then protect them with a drawing deposit (or model) with the Inpi.
- Either the manufacturing process of your packaging is innovative, you can then protect the manufacturing process by patent filing to the Inpi.
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Art Packaging
The protection of an artistic design is done by the copyright.
She's automatic.
You can contact theInpi: titleContent for specific questions:
Who shall I contact
Innovative packaging design
The design of your product is a business strategy important.
If it has a character innovative, that he's never been seen before, you can protect him.
You have to check if your design or model does not already exist.
Availability of a drawing or model
You have to do the online filing of your design with the Inpi with the following service:
Drop a drawing or model online
The cost of the deposit is €70.
Its protection lasts 5 years.
Innovative manufacturing process
If you've created an innovative manufacturing process (that's never been created before), you can protect it.
To do this, you need to file a patent.
The protection lasts 20 years.
The cost of the deposit varies between €20,000 and €40,000.
Please note
you can opt for a utility certificate. Its protection is 10 years only. It is suitable for short-lived innovations.
To finance your patent, you can use the research tax credit (CIR) or turn to funding agencies.
Definition of copyright
Protection of works of the mind
Marking: setting, saving
Applications for Designation of Origin (PDO and PDO) or Geographical Indication (PGI)
Search tools
Search tools
Online service
Online service
Online service
Online service
Online service
Online service
National Institute of Industrial Property (Inpi)
National Institute of Industrial Property (Inpi)
National Institute of Industrial Property (Inpi)
National Institute of Industrial Property (Inpi)