L’impression visuelle d’ensemble produite sur l’observateur averti (« informed user ») permet de vérifier le caractère propre du dessin ou modèle.

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Exemple : « A design shall be considered to have individual character if the overall impression it produces on the informed user differs from the overall impression produced on such a user by any design which has been made available to the public before the date of filing of the application for registration or, if priority is claimed, the date of priority. » (Art.5, Directive 98/71/EC)