Design registration: protecting the look of a product
Design registration protects the shape, pattern or ornamentation of a product under the Designs Act, 2000, for 10 years, extendable by 5 years.
Short answer
Design registration protects the visual features of a product, such as its shape, configuration, pattern, ornamentation or composition of lines or colours, applied to an article by an industrial process. In India it is governed by the Designs Act, 2000. Protection lasts ten years from registration and can be extended once by five years, for a total of 15 years.
- Law
- Designs Act, 2000
- Term
- 10 years, extendable by 5
- Criteria
- New or original, not previously published
- Classification
- Locarno Classification
What a design covers
Design protection is about appearance, judged by the eye, not about how a product works. Functional features are protected, if at all, by patents, and brand names and logos by trademarks. A design must be new or original and must not have been published or used anywhere in the world before the filing or priority date. It must also be significantly distinguishable from known designs.
Registration process
The applicant files an application with representations of the article from different views, identifying the article and class under the Locarno Classification. The Patent Office examines it, may raise objections, and registers the design if it meets the requirements. The registration is published, and anyone can seek cancellation on grounds such as prior publication. Small entities and startups pay lower official fees. Registration gives the owner the right to sue for piracy of the design.
Why it matters for startups
Consumer hardware, furniture, packaging and fashion startups often compete on product looks, which are easy to copy. File design applications before launch or public display, because prior publication defeats novelty. Combine design registration with trademark and, where relevant, patent protection for a stronger IP position, and keep dated records of the design's creation.
Related services
Sources
- Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
- India Code: official repository of central Acts
Written by the Refogo Editorial Team from the official sources above and checked on 2026-10-31. Laws, rates and due dates change, and authorities often extend deadlines, so confirm your own case with a qualified professional. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Read our editorial policy or report an error to support@refogo.com.
Common questions
How long does design protection last in India?
Ten years from registration, extendable by five more years, for a maximum of 15 years.
Can a logo be registered as a design?
Logos are generally protected as trademarks or copyright, not as designs, because a design must be applied to an article.
Is design registration valid outside India?
No. It applies only in India. Protection elsewhere requires separate filings, within the priority period where applicable.