DESIGNS · DESIGNS ACT, 2000

Design registration for the way your product looks

If what makes your product distinctive is its shape, pattern or ornamentation — not how it works — a design registration is the right tool, and it's faster to obtain than a patent.

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OVERVIEW

Design Registration in India

Design registration under the Designs Act, 2000 protects the visual appearance of an article — its shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation or composition of lines and colours — as applied to a finished product, for up to 15 years (an initial 10-year term plus a 5-year extension).

It does not protect how a product works (that's what a patent is for) or a brand name (that's a trademark) — only how it looks. Furniture, packaging, consumer electronics housings, textiles and footwear are common candidates.

Because design applications are examined mainly for novelty against prior published designs, registration is typically faster than a patent — often within 6–12 months if there are no objections.

PROCESS

How we handle your design registration

Novelty check

We check whether the design (or one confusingly similar) has already been published or registered anywhere in the world.

Representation sheets

Preparation of the required views (front, rear, top, side, perspective) that clearly depict the novel features being claimed.

Classification & filing

The design is classified under the Locarno Classification and filed with the Design Office.

Examination response

We respond to any objections on novelty, prior publication or classification raised by the examiner.

Registration certificate

Once cleared, the design is registered and the certificate issued, protecting the article's appearance for up to 15 years.

Documents & information we'll need

Clear representation views of the design — photographs or CAD drawings from multiple angles.
A statement of novelty describing exactly which features are new.
Details of the applicant (individual, startup or company) and the article's classification.
Priority document, if claiming priority from a foreign application filed within the preceding six months.
Power of attorney authorising us to file with the Design Office.

FAQ

Design Registration — common questions

What's the difference between a design registration and a patent?+

A design protects how a product looks; a patent protects how it works or is made. The same product can sometimes need both.

How long does design registration protection last?+

An initial term of 10 years from the date of registration, extendable once for a further 5 years — 15 years total.

Can I register a design after I've already started selling the product?+

Prior publication or sale of the design (by you or anyone else) before filing can defeat novelty, so it's best to file before public disclosure.

Does design registration cover the product's function?+

No. If the shape exists purely for a functional reason with no aesthetic choice involved, it generally falls outside design protection.

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PAT

Ready to file your design registration?

Talk to a registered patent & trademark attorney about your filing today. Initial consultations are free.

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