Can I register a design that has already been publicly disclosed?

No. Under the Designs Act, 2000, a design must be new or original and not previously published in India or elsewhere. However, if you have filed a design application in a Paris Convention country, you can claim priority in India within 6 months.

How long does design registration take in India?

The typical timeline is 3–6 months from the date of filing to grant, assuming no objections are raised by the Controller. Your Professionals ensures complete and accurate applications to minimize delays.

Can a design registration be renewed?

Yes. The initial registration is valid for 10 years. It can be extended for an additional 5 years (total 15 years) by filing Form 3 with the prescribed renewal fee before the expiry of the initial period.

What cannot be registered as a design in India?

Purely functional designs, designs that are not new or original, designs contrary to public order or morality, designs that are mere mechanical contrivances, and designs that include scandalous or obscene matter cannot be registered.

Can I file a single application for multiple designs?

India follows a single-design-per-application rule. However, if the designs belong to the same class under the Locarno Classification and are applied to a set of articles ordinarily sold together, a single application for the set may be filed.

What are the consequences of not registering my design?

Without registration, you have no statutory right to prevent others from copying your design. You may only rely on passing off or copyright protection (if applicable), which are harder to enforce and offer weaker protection for industrial designs.

How does Your Professionals assist with design registration?

Your Professionals provides end-to-end design registration services — including prior art search, Locarno classification, application drafting, filing, examination response, and post-grant compliance — ensuring your product designs receive timely and robust protection.

Design Registration – Fast & Reliable

What is Design Registration?

Design registration is the legal process of protecting the unique visual appearance of a product, officially recognizing you as the owner. In India, registering a design gives the creator the exclusive right to use it on products, manufacture and sell items featuring the design, and stop others from copying or imitating it without permission.

Governed by the Designs Act 2000, this process ensures that a design is truly original, aesthetically unique, and has not been published before. Unlike patents, which protect how something works, design registration focuses on how something looks—its shape, pattern, or overall appearance.

To obtain design registration in India under the Designs Act, 2000, and Design Rules, 2001, your design must meet these core requirements:

Before beginning the application process, entrepreneurs, designers, and businesses should familiarize themselves with the different design categories that can be registered in India.

Visual features applied to industrial products, including shape, configuration, pattern, ornament, or composition of lines or colors. These designs give products a unique visual appeal while maintaining functionality.

Patterns, ornaments, or decorative elements are applied to the surface of products. Design registration protects the visual appearance rather than the functional aspects of the article.

Novelty & Originality: The design must be new and not previously published, used, or sold publicly in India or elsewhere before your application date. It should not significantly resemble any existing design.

Visual Appeal (Aesthetic): It must be primarily ornamental and visually attractive, rather than purely functional. Designs driven solely by an articles function are generally not registrable.

Industrial Applicability: The design must be suitable for application to an article through industrial processes, allowing for its reproduction on manufactured goods.

Non-Prohibited: The design should not violate public order or morality, threaten national security, or be a mere mechanical device, trademark, or copyrighted artwork.

No Prior Disclosure: It must not have been publicly disclosed in any way before you file your registration application.

Grants a legal monopoly over your products appearance, preventing competitors from using an identical or deceptively similar design.

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

1

All individuals and entities requiring IP protection services

Paperwork

Documents Required

✓Completed Form 1 (Application for registration of design)

✓Form 2 (Representation sheet containing a clear visual representation)

✓Power of Attorney (Form 21, if filed through an agent)

✓Proof of payment of application fees

✓Applicants identification proof (Aadhar/PAN/Passport)

✓Address proof of the applicant.

Step by Step

Registration Process

1

Step 1: Design Search and Evaluation

Conduct a thorough design search to ensure your design is novel and not previously registered. Evaluate your design against the registrability criteria of novelty, originality, and aesthetic appeal before starting the design registration process.

2

Step 2: Prepare Design Documentation

Create clear visual representations of your design from multiple angles. Prepare a statement of novelty highlighting the unique features of your design that meet registration requirements.

3

Step 3: Classify Your Design

Identify the appropriate class for your design according to the Locarno Classification system, which categorizes designs based on the type of product they apply to.

4

Step 4: File the Application

Submit your design registration application either:

5

Step 5: Examination

Your design registration application will be examined to determine if it meets the requirements of novelty, originality, and registrability. This typically takes 3-6 months.

6

Step 6: Respond to Examination Report

Address any objections raised in the Examination Report within the specified period (usually 3 months) to continue your design registration process.

7

Step 7: Grant of Design Registration Certificate

Once all objections are cleared and requirements are met, the design will be registered, and you will receive a Design Registration Certificate. The design will then be published in the Design Journal, officially granting you legal protection.

Pricing

Fees & Charges

Fee Component	Amount
Registration Costs	You pay specific government fees to register your design, which vary by applicant type:. For Individuals: Rs. 1,000 for filing a design application.; For Startups and Small Entities (SMEs): Rs. 2,000 for filing a design application; For Other Entities (e.g., Large Companies): Rs. 4,000 for filing a design application.
Penalties for Design Infringement	If someone copies your registered design without permission, they face legal consequences under the Designs Act 2000.. Monetary Penalty: An infringer can pay up to Rs. 25,000 to the registered proprietor for each contravention, with a maximum limit of Rs. 50,000 for any one design, recoverable as a contract debt (meaning you can sue to recover it as if it were a debt owed to you).; Damages and Injunction: You can file a lawsuit seeking damages for losses incurred due to the infringement. The court may also issue an injunction, legally stopping the infringer from continuing to use your design.; Court Jurisdiction: You must bring legal actions for infringement before a District Court or a higher court.

Fee Component

Amount

Registration Costs

You pay specific government fees to register your design, which vary by applicant type:. For Individuals: Rs. 1,000 for filing a design application.; For Startups and Small Entities (SMEs): Rs. 2,000 for filing a design application; For Other Entities (e.g., Large Companies): Rs. 4,000 for filing a design application.

Penalties for Design Infringement

If someone copies your registered design without permission, they face legal consequences under the Designs Act 2000.. Monetary Penalty: An infringer can pay up to Rs. 25,000 to the registered proprietor for each contravention, with a maximum limit of Rs. 50,000 for any one design, recoverable as a contract debt (meaning you can sue to recover it as if it were a debt owed to you).; Damages and Injunction: You can file a lawsuit seeking damages for losses incurred due to the infringement. The court may also issue an injunction, legally stopping the infringer from continuing to use your design.; Court Jurisdiction: You must bring legal actions for infringement before a District Court or a higher court.

Benefits

Key Advantages

Legal Protection and Enforcement

Exclusive Ownership Rights: Registration grants the owner the sole right to use the design on a product throughout India. This legally prevents others from making, selling, or importing items with an identical or very similar design.; Official Right to Action: It provides an official basis for legal

Commercial Value and Monetisation

Revenue-Generating Asset: A registered design becomes an asset that can generate revenue. It can be sold, licensed to other companies for royalty income, or used as a key part of franchising agreements.; Enhanced Company Valuation: Registered designs are valuable assets that directly increase your c

Marketplace Advantage and Brand Identity

Product Uniqueness: It establishes a unique visual identity that distinguishes a product from competitors, building strong brand recognition and customer loyalty in the marketplace.; Building Trust and Credibility: Registration serves as a public declaration of authenticity and innovation. It enhanc

Long-Term Security and Investor Confidence

Reducing Risk for Investors: A protected design portfolio demonstrates strong IP management to investors. This reduces the risk of imitation and signals a secure foundation for long-term growth.; Freedom for Innovation: With its design registered, a company can confidently invest in marketing, produ

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A design registration protects the visual appearance (shape, pattern, ornamentation) of an article, while a patent protects the functional, technical, or inventive aspects. If your innovation is in how a product looks, design registration is appropriate; if it is in how it works, a patent is needed.

Our Commitment

Why Choose Us?

Expert Professionals Team

Qualified Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries handle your filing.

Fast Processing

Quick turnaround with dedicated support at every step.

Transparent Pricing

No hidden charges. Know exactly what you pay for.

100% Data Security

Your documents and data are encrypted and confidential.

Trusted by Thousands

Thousands of businesses registered successfully.

24/7 Support

Dedicated relationship manager and customer support.

Company Registration

Government Registration

FSSAI Registration

Trade Licence

Business Certificates

Business Licenses

BIS Registration

NGO

International Business

LABOUR LAWS

Convert Your Business

Other Services

Design Registration

Get Free Consultation