Industrial Design Registration in India, Fully Managed by Experts
Protect the new and original shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation of your product end to end — novelty check, correct Locarno class advice, Form 1 filing at the Design Wing of the Patent Office and objection handling included. 100% online, 10-year protection, with a custom quote and zero hidden charges.
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What Is Industrial Design Registration?
A quick, plain-language explanation before the details.
Industrial design registration protects the visual design of a product — its shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation — giving you the exclusive right to that appearance and the power to stop others from copying it.
Under the Designs Act, 2000, the features of shape, configuration, pattern, ornament or composition of lines or colours applied to an article by any industrial process — appealing to and judged solely by the eye — can be registered, provided the design is new or original and not previously published. It protects appearance only, not the article’s function or mode of construction.
Administered by the Design Wing of the Patent Office (Kolkata) under the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), applications being filed on Form 1 and classified under the Locarno Classification.
A registered design is protected for 10 years from the date of registration and can be extended by a further 5 years on application — a maximum of 15 years of protection.
Quick Facts
Is This Service Right for You?
Ideal for
- Product designers protecting a new shape, form or surface pattern
- Manufacturers of consumer goods, furniture, appliances and packaging
- Startups and MSMEs launching a distinctively designed product
- FMCG and D2C brands with unique bottle, container or label designs
- Jewellery, textile, footwear and lifestyle-product makers
- Foreign applicants filing a design in India for the first time
You may need this if
- You have created a new, original shape or ornamental design for a product
- You want to stop competitors from copying your product’s look
- Your product’s appeal comes from its appearance, not just its function
- You are about to launch or exhibit the design and want to secure it first
- You want a business asset that can be licensed, assigned or sold
- You need design protection alongside your trademark and patent portfolio
Not sure if you need this?
Talk to an Expert →Why Is Industrial Design Registration Important?
For many products the design <em>is</em> the brand — the shape and look are what customers recognise and competitors copy. Here is why registering it matters.
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01
Exclusive Rights to the Look
Registration gives you the exclusive right (copyright in the design) to apply that shape or pattern to your product, and to stop others from doing so.
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02
Enforceable Against Copycats
A registered design lets you act against piracy of the design under the Designs Act — imitation of a protected design is an offence that carries damages.
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03
A Valuable Business Asset
A registered design is an intangible asset that can be licensed, assigned or sold, and adds measurable value to your product portfolio.
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04
Protect Appearance, Not Just Brand
A trademark protects your name and logo; a design protects the product’s shape and ornamentation — together they give fuller protection.
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05
Market Edge & Recognition
A distinctive, protected design differentiates your product on the shelf and online, and signals originality to customers and investors.
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06
Licensing & Collaboration
Registered designs make licensing, manufacturing tie-ups and brand collaborations cleaner, with clear ownership of the design rights.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Custom quote for your case
Fees depend on your business type and scope. Get a clear, itemised quote upfront — no hidden professional charges, government fee billed at actuals.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility checklist
- The design must be new or original — not previously published or disclosed anywhere
- It must relate to the shape, configuration, pattern or ornament of an article
- It must be applied to an article by an industrial process and appeal to the eye
- It must not be contrary to public order or morality
- Clear representations / drawings of the article from all relevant views
- The correct Locarno class and article for which registration is sought
Everything You Need. One Professional Team.
Consultation
Understand your product, the design features and your protection goals.
Novelty Assessment
Check whether the design appears new and registrable, and search for prior published designs.
Class & Article Advice
Identify the correct Locarno class and the article for which the design is registered.
Representations Prep
Prepare compliant representations / drawings showing the design from all required views.
Form 1 Filing
File the application (Form 1) with the Design Wing of the Patent Office and obtain the application number.
Objection Handling
Draft and file replies to any examination objection raised by the office within the deadline.
Registration Follow-up
Track the application through to acceptance and issue of the certificate of registration.
Post-Registration Guidance
Advise on marking, extension of term and enforcement against copying.
What You’ll Receive
What Documents Are Required for Design Registration?
Requirements vary by applicant type, but the design representations are always the heart of the application. Keep clear soft copies ready — everything is collected securely online and filed in your name with a Power of Attorney to our agent.
Individual / Proprietor
Single applicant · designers & individuals- Name, address & nationality of the applicant
- Representations / drawings of the design (all views)
- Statement of novelty & disclaimer, if any
- Article and Locarno class for which registration is sought
- Signed Power of Attorney (Form 21) authorising the agent
Partnership / LLP
Two or more partners- Firm / LLP name and address details
- Partnership deed or LLP agreement / incorporation certificate
- Representations / drawings of the design (all views)
- Statement of novelty & article / Locarno class
- Signed Power of Attorney (Form 21)
Company
Registered company- Certificate of Incorporation & company details
- Board authorisation / authorised signatory details
- Representations / drawings of the design (all views)
- Statement of novelty & article / Locarno class
- Signed Power of Attorney (Form 21)
Novelty is everything
The design must be new or original and not previously published anywhere in the world. Publishing, selling or exhibiting the design before filing can destroy its novelty — file before you disclose it.
Pick the correct Locarno class
A design is registered for a specific article in a specific Locarno class. Choosing the wrong class or article is a common cause of objections — we identify the right one for your product.
Clear representations required
Provide clean drawings or photographs of the article showing the design from all relevant views (front, back, top, bottom, sides, perspective). Function-only features are not protected — appearance is.
Appearance only — not function
A design protects how the article looks, not how it works. Purely functional shapes, or a mode of construction, are not registrable as a design (those may fall under patents).
Power of Attorney (Form 21)
A signed Form 21 authorises our agent to file and prosecute the application on your behalf. The design remains registered in your name.
Don’t have all the documents?
We’ll identify what your case needs →How to Register an Industrial Design (Step by Step)
The entire application is handled online with the Design Wing of the Patent Office under the Designs Act, 2000.
Consultation & Novelty Check
We assess the design, confirm it appears new and registrable, and search for prior published designs that could bar registration.
Class, Article & Drawings
We fix the correct Locarno class and article, and prepare compliant representations / drawings of the design from all required views.
Application Filing (Form 1)
Form 1 is filed with the Design Wing of the Patent Office and an application number is issued — the application is then queued for examination.
Examination
The office examines the application for novelty and formal requirements and issues an examination report if any objections arise.
Objection Reply (if raised)
We draft and file a detailed reply to any objection within the prescribed time to move the application towards acceptance.
Registration & Certificate
Once accepted, the design is registered, entered in the Register of Designs and the certificate of registration is issued.
How Long Does Design Registration Take?
| Stage | Expected Time |
|---|---|
| Novelty check + representations + Form 1 filing | Application number issued on filing |
| Examination & examination report | A few months from filing |
| Objection reply (if raised) | Within the prescribed deadline |
| Acceptance → registration → certificate | ~6–9 months total |
You receive an application number on filing. The full journey to a certificate of registration typically takes about 6–9 months, depending on whether objections are raised and how quickly they are resolved. Government processing times may vary.
Key Dates — At a Glance
| Frequency | What Is Due |
|---|---|
| On Registration | Design entered in the Register of Designs · Certificate of registration issued · Mark the article as "Registered" to put copiers on notice |
| Every Term | Protection runs 10 years from registration · Apply to extend by a further 5 years before the first term ends · Keep proprietor and address details updated on the register |
| Ongoing | Monitor the market and e-commerce for copies of the design · Enforce your rights against piracy of the registered design · Keep records of first use and commercialisation |
| Event-Based | Record assignment or licensing of the design · Consider design filings abroad for export markets · Pair with trademark / patent protection where relevant |
Dates are indicative and may change with government notifications. Our team tracks every deadline so you never miss a filing.
Doing It Yourself vs TaxClue
Doing It Yourself
- Miss a prior published design that destroys your novelty
- Pick the wrong Locarno class or article and invite objections
- File weak or non-compliant representations / drawings
- Confuse functional features with protectable appearance
- Draft a poor reply to an examination objection
- Lose novelty by disclosing the design before filing
- Risk rejection, delay and re-filing
With TaxClue
- Novelty and prior-publication check before you file
- Correct Locarno class and article identified for your product
- Compliant representations prepared from all required views
- Form 1 filed correctly with the Design Wing of the Patent Office
- Objection handling included — detailed reply within the deadline
- Application tracked through to registration and certificate
- Guidance on the 5-year extension and enforcement
Skip the guesswork.
Let an expert handle it →Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application
TaxClue reviews your documents before filing to reduce avoidable errors.
What Applies After Your Design Is Registered?
On Registration
- Design entered in the Register of Designs
- Certificate of registration issued
- Mark the article as "Registered" to put copiers on notice
Every Term
- Protection runs 10 years from registration
- Apply to extend by a further 5 years before the first term ends
- Keep proprietor and address details updated on the register
Ongoing
- Monitor the market and e-commerce for copies of the design
- Enforce your rights against piracy of the registered design
- Keep records of first use and commercialisation
Event-Based
- Record assignment or licensing of the design
- Consider design filings abroad for export markets
- Pair with trademark / patent protection where relevant
Penalties & Consequences
A registered design gives strong, enforceable rights; piracy of a registered design and letting protection lapse both carry real consequences under the Designs Act, 2000.
What is at stake if you do not comply
- Publishing, selling or exhibiting the design before filing destroys its novelty and makes it unregistrable
- Filing in the wrong Locarno class or for the wrong article invites objections and delay
- Missing the deadline to reply to an examination objection can lead to refusal
- Design protection lapses after 10 years if the 5-year extension is not sought in time
- Trying to protect purely functional features as a design leads to rejection
| Default / Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Piracy of a registered design (Sec 22) | The proprietor can recover damages / a contravention amount from the infringer, plus an injunction. |
| Design not new / already published | Application refused, or the registration is liable to be cancelled (Sec 19). |
| Purely functional or non-registrable subject matter | Not registrable as a design — application refused. |
| Failing to extend the term | Protection lapses after 10 years if the 5-year extension is not sought in time. |
| Disclosure before filing | Loss of novelty — the design becomes unregistrable. |
| Marking failure | May weaken a damages claim against an infringer who was unaware of the registration. |
Registering, marking your article and monitoring the market keep these risks in check. Our team tracks deadlines and flags copying.
Regulatory Updates 2025–26
- 2025: Design, geographical indication and copyright applications are filed online on the IP India / Copyright Office portals.
- 2025: A registered design is valid for 10 years, extendable once by 5 years (total 15 years).
Why Businesses Choose TaxClue
Experienced Team
Professionals who handle novelty checks, Locarno classification, filing and objections end to end.
End-to-End
From novelty check to certificate of registration — fully managed, minimal effort from you.
Fast Filing
Application filed promptly with an application number issued on filing, with proactive updates.
100% Online
Everything over WhatsApp / email — no office visits required.
Transparent Fees
A clear custom quote upfront — ₹0 hidden professional charges.
Post-Service Support
Objection handling included and guidance on extension and enforcement.
Your Documents Deserve Professional Care
- Documents and design representations handled under confidentiality
- Access limited to the team working on your file
- Communication over secure digital channels
- Documents retained only as long as needed for the filing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an industrial design registration?
What can be registered as a design?
What cannot be registered as a design?
How long does a design registration last?
Where is a design application filed?
What is the Locarno classification?
Does the design have to be new?
What is the difference between a design and a patent?
What is the difference between a design and a trademark?
What documents are needed for design registration?
What happens if someone copies my registered design?
Can a foreign applicant register a design in India?
How do I register an industrial design in India step by step?
What exactly does an industrial design registration protect?
How long is an industrial design registration valid and can it be renewed?
How much does industrial design registration cost?
Can I register the same design abroad after filing in India?
Official Sources & Legal References
Every regulatory detail on this page — the governing law, authority, term and process — is drawn from primary law and official government sources. Verify them directly:
- IP India — DesignsOfficial portal of the Controller General (CGPDTM) for industrial design information
- The Designs Act, 2000 — full textThe governing law, including registration, term and Section 22 (piracy) · India Code
- The Designs Rules, 2001Rules, fees and forms (including Form 1 and the Locarno classification)
- Design e-Filing & Public SearchFile applications, check status and search the Register of Designs online
Related Guides
Preparing Design Representations & Views
Read guide ArticleRights You Get from Design Registration
Read guide ArticleDesign Infringement & Remedies
Read guide ArticleIP Strategy for Startups
Read guide ArticleHow Design Differs from Copyright
Read guide ArticleWhat Works Are Protected as IP
Read guideIndustrial Design Registration Resources — All Free
Protect Your Product’s Design
Expert-managed industrial design registration — novelty check, correct Locarno class advice, Form 1 filing at the Design Wing of the Patent Office and objection handling included. Consultation, custom quote, zero hidden charges.
Talk to a Design Expert →