The Benelux Design Law has been amended to introduce a grace period with respect to publications of the design prior to the date of application for design protection. Under the new provision, disclosures of the design within the year prior to filing the application or, where priority is claimed, within a year prior to the priority date, will be excused when assessing novelty of the design if the publication in question was by the applicant or a third party who directly or indirectly obtained the design from the applicant.