Registration of design provides legal protection to the design owner against any unauthorized copying, usage or imitation of the registered design.
The owner of a registered design is granted exclusive rights to use the design for the specified period.
Registered designs can be licensed, sold, or used as collateral to secure loans, thereby providing commercial benefits to the owner.
Registered designs act as a deterrent to potential infringers, as they can face legal consequences for copying or imitating the registered design.
The design must be new or original, and not previously published or disclosed to the public.
The design must not have been disclosed or published anywhere in the world before the date of registration.
The design must have an aesthetic appeal and should not be solely functional in nature.
The applicant must file an application for registration of design along with the necessary documents and fees.
The application is examined to ensure that it meets the essential requirements for design registration.
If the application is accepted, the design is published in the Designs Journal for a period of four months.
Any person can file an opposition to the design within the four-month period.
If no opposition is filed, or if the opposition is unsuccessful, the design is registered and a certificate of registration is issued to the applicant.
The validity of design registration in India is ten years from the date of registration, after which it can be renewed for an additional period of five years.
At Legal IPR, we understand the importance of timely and efficient assistance during the design registration process in India. That’s why we assign a specialized account manager to each client to provide quick and immediate help throughout the process. Our experienced professionals ensure that the design registration process is carried out smoothly, and all queries and concerns are addressed promptly.
Once a design is registered, it is protected for a period of 10 years from the date of registration. This protection can be renewed for another five years, subject to payment of a renewal fee. It is important to note that the validity of design registration does not extend to the functional aspects of the product. It only protects the aesthetic or ornamental aspects of the product.
It is also essential to ensure that the registered design is being used continuously in the market. Failure to use the registered design for a period of more than one year can lead to cancellation of the registration.
In case of any disputes or infringement of the registered design, the owner can take legal action against the infringing party. The owner can seek legal remedies such as injunctions, damages, and accounts of profits.
Therefore, it is crucial to maintain proper documentation of the registered design and ensure that it is being used continuously in the market to maintain its validity. The assistance of a specialized account manager can be useful in managing the documentation and ensuring timely renewal of the registration.
A design registration can be canceled in India under the following conditions:
A patent is a legal document that gives the holder exclusive rights to use and market an invention for a certain period of time. In India, a patent can be granted for a new and non-obvious invention or improvement to an existing invention.
Patents can be filed for a wide range of products and processes, including machines, chemical compositions, and software algorithms. A patent gives the holder the right to prevent others from manufacturing, using, selling, or importing the invention without permission.
A trademark is a symbol, word, or phrase that identifies and distinguishes a company’s products or services from those of others. Trademarks are used to establish brand recognition and to protect a company’s reputation.
In India, a trademark can be registered for words, logos, and combinations of both. Trademarks can also be used to protect trade dress, which is the overall appearance and design of a product or packaging.
Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. In India, copyright protection is granted automatically to creators of original works without the need for registration.
Copyright owners have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display their works. Copyright protection can last for the lifetime of the creator plus 60 years.
The primary difference between patent, trademark, and copyright is the type of intellectual property that they protect. Patents protect inventions, trademarks protect brands, and copyrights protect creative works. Patents and trademarks require registration with the government, whereas copyright protection is granted automatically.
Patents and trademarks have a limited term of protection, while copyright protection can last for several decades. Additionally, the process of obtaining patent and trademark protection can be more complicated and expensive than obtaining copyright protection.
frequently asked questions
A design refers to the visual appearance of a product or article, including its shape, pattern, ornamentation, or composition of lines or colors.
Design registration is the process of protecting the visual appearance of a product or article by obtaining legal rights over the design.
Provides exclusive rights to the owner to use the design, license or sell it to others, and take legal action against any infringement of the design.
Any person or entity who claims to be the owner of the design can apply for registration of design in India. This includes individuals, companies, partnership firms, or any other legal entity.
The essential requirements for design registration include a clear representation of the design, information about the applicant, and payment of the requisite fee.
The procedure for registration of design in India involves filing an application with the Design Office of the Indian Patent Office, examination of the application, and publication of the design in the official journal. After the publication, any interested party can file an opposition against the design registration. If there is no opposition or if the opposition is decided in favor of the applicant, the registration certificate is issued.
The registration fee for design registration in India varies based on the type of applicant, number of designs, and other factors. It can range from a few thousand rupees to several lakhs of rupees.
The documents required for design registration in India include a clear representation of the design, information about the applicant, and a signed declaration stating that the applicant is the true and first inventor of the design.
The validity of design registration in India is 10 years from the date of registration. It can be renewed for another five years, subject to payment of a renewal fee.
In case of infringement of a registered design, the owner can take legal action against the infringing party, seek legal remedies such as injunctions, damages, and accounts of profits. It is advisable to seek legal counsel for proper guidance and representation in such cases.