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The Designs Act, 2000 · The Designs Rules, 2001 (as amended)Industrial Designs — protecting the look that sells the product
When the shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation of your product drives purchase decisions, design registration gives you a fast, affordable and enforceable monopoly over that appearance.
What design registration protects
Under Section 2(d) of the Designs Act, 2000, a registrable design covers the features of shape, configuration, pattern, ornament or composition of lines or colours applied to an article — judged solely by the eye. It does not protect how the product works (that is patent territory) or its brand name (trademark territory); it protects how it looks.
- Product form & shapeAppliances, machines, tools, furniture, containers, devices.
- Surface pattern & ornamentationTextiles, packaging surfaces, decorative articles.
- New designs on existing articlesA fresh aesthetic applied to a known product class.
Our design services
- Registrability & novelty searchSearch of registered designs and prior publications to assess whether your design is new and significantly distinguishable.
- Locarno classificationCorrect class and sub-class selection under the Locarno system — misclassification narrows or misdirects your protection.
- Representation preparationStatutorily compliant views (perspective, front, rear, side, top, bottom), statement of novelty and disclaimers.
- Filing & prosecutionApplication on Form 1 with follow-through on examination objections until registration.
- Extension of termRenewal filing to extend protection from the initial 10 years by a further 5 years (Section 11).
- Cancellation & enforcement supportCancellation petitions under Section 19 and action against piracy of registered designs under Section 22.
Design at a glance
| Aspect | Position in India |
|---|---|
| Term | 10 years from registration, extendable once by 5 years (15 years total) |
| Novelty standard | Worldwide — not published or registered anywhere before the filing date |
| Examination | Formal and substantive examination; objections must be resolved for registration |
| Remedy for piracy | Damages / injunction under Section 22 for fraudulent or obvious imitation |
| Strategy note | Design + patent can co-exist on one product: the design protects appearance, the patent protects function |
Frequently asked questions
I have already started selling the product. Can I still register the design?
Prior publication — including your own sales, catalogues or online listings — generally destroys novelty. Registration must come before public disclosure. If you are pre-launch, act now; if you have already disclosed, speak to us about what protection remains available.
Design or patent — which one do I need?
If the innovation lies in how the article looks, register a design. If it lies in how it works or is made, seek a patent. Many successful products need both, and design registration is comparatively fast and economical — often the first right a hardware startup should secure.
Does an Indian design registration protect me abroad?
No — design rights are territorial. Foreign filings can claim priority from your Indian application within 6 months under the Paris Convention. We coordinate overseas filings through our associate network.
Launching a new product design?
Register before you launch — novelty is judged worldwide, and prior publication of your own design can defeat your own application.