Practice Area

Industrial Design Registration

In a market crowded with look-alike products, the unique visual identity of your product is a competitive asset. The Designs Act, 2000 provides exclusive rights over the ornamental or aesthetic features — shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation — that make a product distinctive.

Design Search & Registration

Before filing, we conduct a thorough novelty search to confirm your design is new and original. We prepare and file Form 1 application with the Patent Office (Designs Wing), selecting the correct Locarno Classification for your product category.

→ Novelty search across Indian and international design databases
→ Locarno Classification identification
→ Representation drawings and views preparation
→ Form 1 application filing with Patent Office

Design Prosecution

If the Patent Office raises objections — for lack of novelty, prior publication, or procedural reasons — we draft a detailed reply to the examination report, substantiating the originality and registrability of your design.

→ Objection reply drafting and submission
→ Representation before Patent Office (Designs Wing)
→ Amendment of representations if required
→ Certificate of registration follow-up

Design Infringement Action

Under Section 22 of the Designs Act, any fraudulent imitation of a registered design constitutes infringement. We pursue infringers through cease-and-desist notices, civil suits for damages, and injunctions to immediately stop the piracy of your product design.

→ Cease-and-desist notices for design piracy
→ Civil suit for damages and account of profits
→ Interim injunctions before High Courts
→ Customs border enforcement for infringing imports

Renewal & Portfolio Management

A registered design in India has an initial term of 10 years, extendable by 5 more years. We track renewal deadlines, manage your entire design portfolio, and advise on international design protection through the Hague System (WIPO).

→ Design renewal (10+5 years) tracking and filing
→ Design portfolio audit and strategy
→ Hague System international design filing (WIPO)
→ Design licensing and assignment agreements

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies for industrial design protection in India?

Under the Designs Act, 2000, features of shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation, or composition of lines or colours applied to any article — whether in 2D or 3D — that are new or original and appeal to the eye qualify for protection. The design must not have been disclosed publicly before filing.

What is the difference between a design and a patent?

A patent protects the functional or technical aspects of an invention — how it works. An industrial design protects the visual or ornamental aspects — how it looks. A product can have both: a patent for its mechanism and a registered design for its unique appearance.

How long does industrial design registration take in India?

The process typically takes 6–18 months depending on the examination queue and whether objections are raised. India does not require substantive examination of novelty at the office level for all cases, so registration can sometimes be faster.

Can I protect a product design internationally?

Yes. Through the Hague Agreement (administered by WIPO), you can file a single international design application covering multiple countries. For selected countries not covered by Hague, we file national applications directly. We advise exporters on which markets require priority design protection.

Protect Your Product's Visual Identity