Industrial Design Registration in India
Protect the aesthetic look, shape, configuration, and unique ornamentation of your products. Prevent competitors from copying your original visual identity and safeguard your competitive edge.
What is an Industrial Design?
An Industrial Design refers to the visual appearance, shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation, or composition of lines or colors applied to an article that gives it a unique and attractive appearance. In India, industrial designs are protected under the Designs Act, 2000.
Design registration protects the aesthetic features of a product rather than its functional or technical aspects. The purpose of design protection is to safeguard the unique visual appeal of a product from unauthorized copying and imitation.
Whether it is the shape of a bottle, packaging of a product, furniture design, electronic gadgets, fashion accessories, or consumer goods, design registration helps businesses protect the originality and distinctiveness of their products.
Protect the Appearance That Sets You Apart
In today’s competitive market, consumers are often attracted to products because of their appearance and visual appeal. A unique design can significantly influence purchasing decisions and contribute to brand recognition.
Without legal protection, competitors may copy the appearance of your product and benefit from your creativity and investment. Design registration grants exclusive rights over the registered design and helps prevent unauthorized imitation.
Key Benefits of Design Protection
Securing design rights provides a formidable market barrier and enhances the tangible value of your brand assets.
Exclusive Rights
The registered proprietor obtains exclusive rights to apply the design to the registered article and prevent others from copying or reproducing it.
Legal Protection
Registration provides strong legal remedies against piracy, imitation, counterfeiting, and unauthorized commercial use of the design.
Commercial Advantage
A unique and protected design helps products stand out in the marketplace and strengthens brand identity against substitutes.
Valuable IP Asset
A registered design becomes an intellectual property asset that can be licensed, assigned, sold, or commercially exploited for royalties.
Increased Market Value
Products with distinctive registered designs command greater consumer attention, premium positioning, and higher market value.
Business Growth
Design registration enhances investor confidence and opens up fresh opportunities for partnerships, licensing, and brand expansion.
What Can Be Registered?
A design is eligible for registration under the Designs Act if it fulfills these conditions:
- Is new and original (never published before).
- Has not been previously disclosed or published to the public.
- Relates specifically to the visual appearance of an article.
- Is capable of being applied by an industrial process.
- Appeals solely to the human eye.
What Cannot Be Registered?
The following elements are generally excluded from design registration:
- Functional or technical features of a product.
- Mechanical devices or methods of construction.
- Trademarks, property marks, or artistic copyright works.
- Designs that are not substantially new or original.
- Designs contrary to public order, morality, or security.
Design Registration Process
1. Design Search & Assessment
Ensure your visual design satisfies novelty benchmarks prior to formal filing.
2. Representation Sheets Preparation
Preparing precise multi-angle drawings, photos, or schematics of the design.
3. Filing Application
Formal submission of the application to the Designs Registry (Kolkata).
4. Examination by Design Office
Official review to check technical parameters and verify distinctiveness.
5. Objections & Response
Promptly drafting and submitting replies to examiner objection reports, if any.
6. Grant & Publication
Issuance of the Design Certificate and publication in the official register.
Duration of Protection
10 + 5 Years
A registered design in India is initially protected for 10 years from the date of registration. It can be extended by an additional 5 years, providing a total protection period of 15 years.
Design Registration Process Flowchart
Designs Office Fee Structure
Official statutory fee schedule for industrial design registrations, renewals, rectifications, and other actions in India.
| S.No. | Matter / Description | Natural Person / Startup / Small Entity (INR) | Large Entity (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Application for registration of design / application under reciprocal arrangement (e.g. Paris Convention priority)
|
1,000 | 4,000 |
| 2 |
Claim to proceed as applicant or joint applicant
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 3 |
Renewal of design
|
2,000 | 8,000 |
| 4 |
Restoration of lapsed design
|
1,000 | 4,000 |
| 5 |
Inspection of registered design
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 6 |
Request for information — registration number given
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 7 |
Request for information — registration number not given
|
1,000 | 4,000 |
| 8 |
Petition to cancel registration of design
|
1,500 | 6,000 |
| 9 |
Notice of intended exhibition or publication of unregistered design
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 10a |
Registration of a document in the Register — per design
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 10b |
Each additional design (same document)
|
200 | 800 |
| 11a |
Entry of name of proprietor or part-proprietor — per design
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 11b |
Each additional design
|
200 | 800 |
| 12a |
Entry of mortgage or licence in the Register — per design
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 12b |
Each additional design
|
200 | 800 |
| 13a |
Entry of notification of a document — per design
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 13b |
Each additional design
|
200 | 800 |
| 14 |
Request for correction of clerical error
|
500 | 1,000 |
| 15 |
Request for certificate
|
500 | 1,000 |
| 16 |
Application for certified copy of registered design
|
500 | 1,000 |
| 17 |
Application for rectification of Register
|
500 | 1,000 |
| 18 |
Extension of time for filing priority document (per month)
|
400 | 800 |
| 19 |
Notice of opposition
|
200 | 400 |
| 20 |
Notice of intention to attend hearing
|
500 | 2,000 |
| 21 |
Power of attorney to agents
|
Stamp duty | Stamp duty |
| 22 |
Request to alter name or address
|
200 | 800 |
| 23 |
Request for entries of two addresses
|
200 | 800 |
| 24 |
Form-24: Claim of small entity or startup status
|
NA | NA |