Interface design products on Figma are not just drawings; they have become valuable intellectual property for individuals and businesses. However, many people still wonder whether Figma design can be copyrighted. This article “Can Figma design be copyrighted? will help you understand the legal nature of Figma design and how to effectively protect your ownership rights, avoiding the risk of copying or disputes in practice.
What is Figma design?
Figma design refers to digital interface design products such as UI/UX websites, landing pages, mobile applications, or design systems created on the Figma platform. These are not just simple drawings, but the result of a creative process combining aesthetic thinking, user experience logic, and digital design skills.
Essentially, a Figma design typically includes:
- Layout and content structure
- Colors, images, and typography
- User experience flow (UX flow)
- Prototype simulating real-world interaction
These elements create a complete product with practical value, such as a website, application, or digital platform.
Can Figma design be copyrighted?
It’s important to understand that the law doesn’t care what tools you use to design, but only whether the product is a “creative work.”
According to Clause 7, Article 4 of the Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law: “A work is a creative product in the fields of literature, art, and science expressed by any means or form.”
Therefore, Figma design is a product directly created by humans, not a machine copy. The design content is clearly expressed in specific file formats (frame, layout, prototype, etc.). The design bears a personal touch in terms of layout, color, and user experience. Therefore, Figma design fully meets the conditions to be considered a “work” under the law.
More specifically, Article 14 of the Vietnamese Intellectual Property Law recognizes a type of protection called “applied art works,” encompassing products that are both aesthetically pleasing and practically applicable. This is the most suitable “legal framework” for designs. In other words, a Figma design file (e.g., sales landing page, mobile app, dashboard interface, etc.) is not just a technical design, but intellectual property that can be protected.
In principle, copyright for a Figma design arises from the moment you create it, without the need for registration procedures. However, if it only remains at the level of “spontaneous creation,” this right is more theoretical than practical because:
- It is difficult to prove original creation.
- Design files can be modified, copied, or subject to ownership disputes.
- In the digital environment, plagiarism leaves almost no clear trace.
Therefore, the law allows and encourages copyright registration as a mechanism for establishing legal evidence.
What documents are required for a Figma design copyright registration application?
A complete and valid application will significantly shorten processing time. Typically, you will need the following documents:
- Copyright registration application form: This is the most important document, showing information about the author, owner, type of work, and a commitment to the accuracy of the application.
- Copy of the work: You need to export the design file from Figma in PDF, PNG, or JPG format. Note that it should fully display the layout, composition, and colors. It’s recommended to export multiple screens if it’s an app or website, and avoid submitting a very basic file as this may affect the evaluation process.
- Author’s declaration: Confirming that the work is your own creation and not copied from a third party. This serves as the basis for the government agency to consider the legality of the work.
- Proof of ownership documents (if any): Applicable in cases such as design under a lease agreement (a design lease agreement is required), transfer of rights from an individual to a business, or design work performed during employment at a company.
- Author’s/Owner’s ID card/Citizen Identification Card or other legal documents: Used to verify identity and legal status during registration.
Figma design copyright registration process
The Figma Design copyright registration process typically follows these steps:
Step 1: Prepare the application
Compile all required documents, ensuring accurate and consistent information.
Step 2: Submit the application
Submit to the Copyright Office or through alternative methods as mentioned.
Step 3: Application review
The relevant authority will check: the validity of the application, the type of work being registered, ownership rights, and originality. If your application is incomplete, you will be asked to provide additional information or corrections.
Step 4: Issuance of the certificate
If your application meets all requirements, you will be issued a Certificate of Copyright Registration, which is the most important legal evidence to protect your design.
According to regulations, the processing time usually ranges from 15 to 30 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application. However, in reality, the time may vary depending on the completeness of the application, the number of applications being processed at the government agency, and whether additional information or corrections are needed. Therefore, to shorten the processing time, you should prepare your application thoroughly from the beginning or use professional consulting services if necessary.
The above article is “Can Figma design be copyrighted?”. Hopefully, the information shared has helped you understand the legal nature of designs on Figma, as well as the importance of copyright registration in the context of the ever-growing digital creative landscape.
Sincerely,
FAQ
No. The law only protects the specific form of expression (layout, colors, composition, etc.), not the general idea. Therefore, you need a complete design file to register.
Not mandatory. However, if the new version has significant changes in layout or content, you should register additional versions to expand the scope of protection and avoid future disputes.