What Does Design Registration Protect?
Design registration protects the visual features of a product – its shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation or composition of lines and colours – as judged by the eye. It does not protect how the product works; that is the role of a patent.
To be registered, a design must be new or original and not previously published or used in India or elsewhere. Once registered, it is protected for ten years, extendable by a further five years.
Protect how your product looks
- Novelty assessed before filing
- Representations and statement of novelty prepared
- Examination handled to registration
Who Should Register a Design?
- Manufacturers of consumer products
- Fashion, furniture, jewellery and packaging businesses
- Product designers and startups
- Brands whose product appearance is easily copied
Benefits of Design Registration
Exclusive right
Only you can apply the registered design to the product class.
Act against copies
Take legal action against imitations.
Commercial value
License or sell your design rights.
Up to 15 years
Ten years of protection, extendable by five years.
Documents Required
- Representation sheets (drawings or photographs) of the design
- Statement of novelty
- Applicant details and proof of ownership
- Startup or MSME certificate for fee concessions, if applicable
- Power of attorney for filing on your behalf
Design Registration Process
Novelty check
We search for similar registered designs.
Prepare representations
Views of the design and the statement of novelty are prepared.
File the application
Filed with the Patent Office under the correct class.
Examination
Objections, if any, are answered.
Registration
The design is registered and published.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Design applications fail most often for these reasons.
- Prior publication – A design already disclosed may not be new.
- Poor representations – Drawings or photos must show the design clearly from all views.
- Wrong class – Designs are registered for a specific class of articles.
- Functional features – Purely functional shapes are not protected as designs.
- Confusing design with trademark – Brand marks belong in trademark registration.
After Registration
Mark products
Indicate that the design is registered.
Monitor copies
Take action against imitations.
Extend protection
Extend for five more years after the first ten.
License
License the design through written agreements.
Why Choose Vaidam Consultancy for Design Registration
Right class and views
Correct classification and clear representations avoid objections.
Clear quote upfront
You receive our fee and any official fees before we start.
Tracked to the finish
We monitor your application status and alert you to every update or deadline.
Plain-language advice
Every step and risk is explained in simple terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
A design protects how a product looks; a patent protects how an invention works or functions.
Generally no. A design that has already been published or disclosed may not be considered new.
Ten years from registration, which can be extended once by five more years.
Usually no. Logos and brand marks are protected through trademark registration.
Generally no, because prior publication can destroy novelty; file before launch.
No. It protects the design in India; separate filings are needed abroad.