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Design Registration In India

Overview Of Design Registration in India

The creative process of shaping visual elements to create functional and aesthetic solutions. Design is the imaginative and strategic process of molding visual elements, such as color, form and layout, into solutions that are not only practical but also visually pleasing. It’s about seamlessly merging functionality and aesthetics to craft products, spaces or experiences that resonate with the intended audience. Design registration in india provides protection for to the unique visual appearance of a product or article.

Design registration in India is governed by the Designs Act, 2000, and the Designs Rules, 2001. It is a valuable intellectual property right that safeguards the aesthetic and ornamental aspects of a product, and prevents unauthorized use of the product by others.

Process of Design Registration in India

  • Eligibility: To be eligible for design registration, the design must be novel, non-obvious, and have an original aesthetic appeal. It should not have been published or used before applying for registration.
  • Types of Designs: The Designs Act recognizes two types of designs: aesthetic designs and functional designs. Aesthetic designs pertain to the appearance of an article, while functional designs are related to the shape or configuration of an article that serves a practical purpose.
  • Application Process: The application for design registration in India is submitted to the Design Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks. It includes a statement of novelty, representations of the design, and the appropriate fee
  • Examination: After the design registration application is submitted, it goes through an examination process to determine its eligibility for design registration in india. The examination focuses on novelty and originality. If the design is found lacking in these aspects, the application may be rejected.
  • Publication: If the design application is accepted, it is published in the official Design Journal after six months from the date of application. During this period, interested parties can file objections to the registration.
  • Objections and Oppositions: Any person can file an objection or opposition to the design registration within four months from the date of publication. This can be done based on prior designs or other valid grounds.
  • Registration and Protection: If there are no objections or if objections are successfully addressed, the design is registered. The design registration provides the owner with exclusive rights to use the design and take legal action against infringement
  • Term of Protection: The initial term of protection for a registered design in india is ten years from the date of registration. This can be further extended for another five years (total of 15 years) by filing a request for renewal
  • Enforcement: Once registered, the owner of the design has the right to take legal action against anyone who copies or imitates the registered design without permission. Remedies include injunctions, damages, and orders for the infringing party to cease using the design.
  • International Protection: India is a member of the Hague Agreement, which provides a streamlined process for registering designs in multiple member countries. Indian designers can seek design protection in other member countries, and foreign designers can seek protection in India using this agreement.

Design Law in India

In 1970, the Indian government introduced a separate legal framework known as the Patent Act of
1970, which addressed patent-related matters. This development led to the repeal of provisions related to patents in the Designs Act of 1911. However, the latter act continued to serve as the primary legislation governing industrial design until the year 2000. Over the years since the inception of the Designs Act of 1911, advancements in science, technology, and related fields necessitated more efficient and robust legislation for the administration, protection, and promotion of industrial designs. This need culminated in the Designs Act of 2000, which came into effect on May 11, 2001.

  • In the context of Indian Design Law, a “Design” encompasses the features of shape, pattern, configuration, ornament, or composition of colors or lines.
  • These features are applied in either three-dimensional or two-dimensional forms, utilizing various processes, including manual, chemical, mechanical, separate, or combined methods. The defining characteristic of a design is its visual appeal or how it is wholly judged by the eye in the finished article.
  • In legal precedents, it has been established that registration is not effective unless the design exhibits novelty and originality and does not simply replicate common, pre-existing types.
  • However, the act does permit the registration of combinations of previously known designs if the amalgamation produces a new visual appeal
  • The assessment of novelty and originality hinges on the expertise of trade experts and the evidence they provide.
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Advantages Of Design Registration In India

  • Increased commercial value
  • Enhanced brand reputation
  • Ease of enforcement
  • International protection

Eligibility Criteria of Design Registration in India

  • The design must be new or original and not previously disclosed to the public anywhere in the world.
  • The design must be applicable to an article and should appeal to and be judged solely by the eye.
  • The design must not be contrary to public order or morality
  • The design must not be a mere mechanical contrivance.
  • The design must not comprise or contain scandalous or obscene matter
  • The design registration application in india must be filed with the Indian Patent Office (IPO) and the registration is valid for a period of 10 years, which can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.
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