If you’ve created a unique-looking product, like a stylish bottle, a designer chair, or even a trendy mobile case, you might want to protect its appearance. That’s where Industrial Design Registration comes in.

Many businesses in India focus only on patents and trademarks and forget how powerful design protection can be. In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to register an industrial design in India in the simplest way possible.

What is an Industrial Design?

Let’s keep it simple — an industrial design refers to the visual or aesthetic features of a product. This includes:

  • Shape

  • Configuration

  • Surface pattern

  • Lines or ornamentation

These are things that appeal to the eyes. So, while a patent protects how something works, a design registration protects how it looks.

 Real-life examples:

  • The Coca-Cola bottle shape

  • Apple’s sleek iPhone body

  • Bajaj scooter body design

  • Designer packaging of Fabindia soaps

✅ Fun fact: Over 17,000 industrial designs were filed in India in 2023 (Source: IP India Annual Report)

What Qualifies as an Industrial Design under Indian Law?

According to the Designs Act, 2000, your design must:

  • Be new and original

  • Be non-functional (it’s only about looks)

  • Be applied to an article by an industrial process

  • Not be scandalous or obscene

What’s not accepted:

  • Logos, brand names, slogans (covered under trademark law)

  • Mechanical parts or designs with functional value only

  • Hidden internal parts of a product

Benefits of Registering an Industrial Design in India

A lot of creators skip design registration, thinking it’s not worth it. But actually, it can give your business a strong edge. Here’s how:

  • Exclusive rights: You get 10 years of exclusive ownership (can be renewed for 5 more years)

  • Legal protection: You can stop copycats from stealing your design

  • Better branding: Makes your product stand out in a crowded market

  • Commercial value: You can license your design and earn from it

  • Stronger investor confidence: Startups with IPs often get better funding opportunities

💡 Did you know? Startups with registered designs or patents are 30% more likely to get funding in India, as per industry reports.

Difference Between Industrial Design, Patent, and Copyright

Confused between these three? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Aspect

Industrial Design

Patent

Copyright

Protects

Look/appearance

Functionality/invention

Creative content (music, art)

Duration

10+5 years

20 years

Life + 60 years

Example

Chair shape

Folding mechanism

Logo or artwork

Eligibility Criteria for Filing Design in India

Anyone can file a design — whether you're an individual, a startup, or a big company. But you must either be:

  • The original creator

  • A legal assignee of the design

  • A startup or MSME (You get special discounts)

Also, India uses the Locarno Classification system to categorise your design into classes like furniture, tools, vehicles, packaging, etc.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Register an Industrial Design

Let’s walk you through the process in simple steps:

✅ Step 1: Do a Design Search

Before filing, make sure no one else has already registered a similar design. You can use the IP India Design Search tool.

✅ Step 2: Prepare Documents

You’ll need:

  • Form-1 (application form)

  • Representation sheets (photos/drawings of your design from all angles)

  • Statement of novelty (why it’s different)

  • Power of attorney (if filing through a patent attorney in India)

✅ Step 3: File the Application

You can file online through the IP India portal or physically at the Design Wing of the Patent Office (Kolkata).

✅ Step 4: Examination by Controller

The office checks if the design meets legal requirements. They may raise objections or ask for clarifications.

✅ Step 5: Design Registration Certificate

If everything goes well, your design gets registered and published in the Official Gazette.

Documents Required for Design Registration

Here’s a quick checklist of what you’ll need:

  • Application form (Form-1)

  • Drawings/representations of the design

  • Power of attorney (if filed by agent)

  • Declaration of originality

  • Priority documents (if claiming foreign filing)

Cost of Filing a Design in India

The fee depends on whether you’re an individual/startup or a company:

Applicant Type

Govt. Fee (₹)

Individual/Startup

₹1,000

Legal entity/Company

₹4,000

Tip: Many top intellectual property law firms in India offer packages for startups, including trademark, design, and patent filing.

Duration and Renewal of Design Protection

  • Initial protection: 10 years

  • Can be renewed: Once for 5 more years

  • Renewal fee (Form-3): ₹2,000 to ₹8,000 (depending on entity type)

  • Late renewal? You get a 12-month grace period (with late fee)

Post-Registration Rights and Enforcement

Once your design is registered:

  • You can sue anyone copying your design without permission

  • You can issue cease & desist letters

  • You can license your design and earn royalty

  • Infringement cases are handled under civil courts

🛡️ Real Case: A Delhi-based ceramic tile startup won a ₹15 lakh compensation from a competitor for copying its registered tile design (2022).

Common Reasons for Design Rejection

Don’t want your design to get rejected? Avoid these mistakes:

  • Design isn’t new (already published somewhere)

  • Poor quality or incomplete drawings

  • No novelty (too similar to existing designs)

  • Functional designs (which should be filed under patents)

Design Registration for Startups and MSMEs

Good news! If your business is a DPIIT-recognized startup or MSME, you get:

  • Reduced fees

  • Faster processing

  • Special IP support schemes under the National IPR Policy

Many top intellectual property law firms in India offer dedicated IP services for startups — worth checking out if you’re bootstrapped but serious about protection.

International Design Protection

Planning to export or expand internationally?

  • Use the Hague System (through WIPO) to file designs in multiple countries with a single application.

  • India joined the Hague Agreement in 2019, making this process smoother.

Talk to a patent attorney in India with international filing experience if global protection is part of your roadmap.

Conclusion

Design registration might sound like legal mumbo jumbo, but it’s one of the smartest moves you can make for your brand. Whether you’re into fashion, home décor, gadgets, or packaging — your design is a business asset. And just like any other asset, it deserves protection.

If you're unsure about how to go about it, consult a patent attorney in India or reach out to one of the top intellectual property law firms in India. They'll guide you through the paperwork, make sure you meet all requirements, and protect your design from future trouble.

So, don’t wait for someone to copy your idea. Lock it down today and build your brand with confidence.