Design Registration
The unique shape, pattern or look of your product can be protected by design registration under the Designs Act. We assess novelty, classify and file so competitors can't copy your product's appearance.
Starts at
₹3,999
+ GST | government fees, hearing fees and additional filings vary by class, applicant type, objections and oppositions
Timeline
File in days; registration over a few months
Documents
Design representations + details
Protect product appearance
Novelty assessed
Designs Act filing
Stop look-alikes
Pricing
Register your product design
Design registration protects the visual appearance, not the function. Government fees vary; we show them separately.
Design Filing
One design, one class
+ GST | government fees, hearing fees and additional filings vary by class, applicant type, objections and oppositions
- Novelty assessment
- Class (Locarno) selection
- Representations & filing
- Status tracking
Prices are professional fees and indicative. Government fees, stamp duty, DSC, PAN/TAN, state charges and third-party costs are extra and may change. A final engagement summary separates each component before payment.
Overview
What is Design Registration?
Design registration under the Designs Act protects the unique visual appearance of a product — its shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation — that's judged by the eye. It protects how a product looks, not how it works (that's a patent).
To be registrable, a design must be new and original and not previously published. Once registered, it gives you exclusive rights to the design for 10 years, extendable by 5 — letting you stop competitors copying your product's look.
We assess novelty, choose the right Locarno class, prepare the representations and file your design.
Is it for you?
Who needs it — and who doesn't
Recommended if
- Product companies with a distinctive product shape or pattern
- D2C brands with unique packaging or product design
- Manufacturers and designers protecting appearance
- Anyone facing or anticipating look-alike copying
May not be needed if
- Purely functional features (consider a patent)
- Designs already published/disclosed (novelty lost)
- Brand names/logos (those are trademarks)
Benefits
Why it's worth doing right
Protect the product's look
Exclusive rights to the appearance stop competitors copying your design.
A defendable asset
A registered design strengthens action against look-alikes.
Market differentiation
Protected design reinforces a distinctive, premium brand position.
Eligibility
Eligibility & key conditions
- A new and original design not previously published
- The design relates to a product's appearance
- You can provide clear representations
Documents
Documents required
What we need
- Clear representations/drawings of the design from multiple views
- The article/product it applies to
- Applicant details
- A statement of novelty
Process
A clear path from start to filed
Costs
Fees & cost breakdown
| Cost component | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| Professional feePer design/class | From ₹3,999 |
| Government feeStatutory; varies by applicant and class | Per design |
Deliverables
What you receive on completion
After this filing
What you need to stay compliant next
10 + 5 years
A registered design lasts 10 years, extendable by 5. We track the extension.
Enforce
Use the registration to act against look-alikes; keep evidence of your design and dates.
Avoid delays
Common mistakes & reasons for rejection
Common mistakes
- Publishing/launching the design before filing (loses novelty)
- Confusing design (look) with patent (function)
- Poor representations
- Wrong class
AI-powered assistance
AI does the heavy lifting. Experts make the call.
AI assists with checks, drafting and explanations only. A qualified professional reviews every defined checkpoint and the final filing before submission. AI does not make consequential compliance decisions on its own.
Protect your product's look
We assess novelty, classify and file your design so competitors can't copy your product's appearance.
Compare
Design Registration vs Patent
| Factor | Design Registration | Patent |
|---|---|---|
| Protects | How a product looks | How an invention works |
| Test | Novelty + appeal to the eye | Novelty + inventive step + utility |
| Term | 10 + 5 years | Up to 20 years |
Use cases
Built for how real businesses operate
D2C product brand
Need: Protect a unique bottle shape
We suggest: Design registration before launch to preserve novelty.
Manufacturer
Need: Stop look-alike products
We suggest: Register the design and enforce against copies.
Why MyFinancialAdvisory
A more accountable way to stay compliant
Quality & accountability
Reviewed by compliance experts
Every design registration engagement is prepared with structured checks and signed off by qualified professionals before anything is filed — speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by MyFinancialAdvisory IP Team
Trademark & IP review
Our trademark and IP work is prepared with AI-assisted searches and checks and reviewed by professionals experienced in trademark prosecution, objections and oppositions before anything is filed.
Structured document checks
Documents and eligibility follow structured checks before expert review.
Expert-reviewed before filing
A qualified professional signs off every defined checkpoint.
Compliance-safe guidance
Advice mapped to current rules — no shortcuts, no guesswork.
Resources
Related guides & reading
Keep exploring
Hub
Trademark & IP protection
Search, file, defend and renew your brand and IP with expert review.
Service
Design Objection
Reply to a design examination objection.
Service
Copyright Registration
Protect original creative and software works.
Service
Trademark Registration
Search, file and track your ™ to ® with expert review.
Service
Patent Support
Search, drafting and filing support for inventions.
FAQs
Design Registration — frequently asked questions
What is design registration?
Protection under the Designs Act for the unique visual appearance of a product — its shape, pattern or ornamentation — as judged by the eye. It protects how a product looks, not how it works.
What's the difference between a design and a patent?
A design protects appearance; a patent protects function/invention. A novel product shape is a design; a novel mechanism is a patent.
Can I register a design after launching the product?
Registrability requires novelty, so prior publication or public disclosure can defeat it. File before you launch wherever possible.
How long does a registered design last?
10 years from registration, extendable by a further 5 years, so up to 15 years in total.
What do I need to file?
Clear representations of the design from multiple views, the article it applies to, applicant details and a statement of novelty.
How long does registration take?
Filing takes days; registration typically follows over a few months, subject to examination.
Is a design the same as a copyright?
No. Copyright protects original artistic works; a registered design protects an industrially applied product appearance. We advise which fits.
Can a design be infringed?
Yes. A registered design lets you act against products that copy the protected appearance.
Is registration guaranteed?
No. It depends on novelty and meeting the requirements. We assess and prepare to maximise the chance.
Ready to get design registration done?
Start with a quick conversation. We’ll confirm scope, documents, fees and the next deadline.