Matter
Design Registration
Design protects how a product looks — shape, configuration, pattern, ornament. It is what stops a competitor copying the form of your product rather than its name.
This engagement covers
- Novelty search
- Class selection
- Representation sheets
- Filing and prosecution
- Certificate and renewal
“They set up our Private Limited in under two weeks and explained every form before we signed it. The fee never moved from the first quote.”
Requisition
SH/PROTECT/DESIGN
- Governed by
- Designs Act, 2000
- Filed as
- Form 1 with representation sheets
- Classified under
- Locarno Classification
- Typical timeline
- 6–12 months
- Term
- 10 years, extendable by 5
Overview
Best suited to. Product companies, furniture and lighting makers, packaging designers, jewellery and consumer hardware businesses.
How we price it. One fixed professional fee, agreed in writing before any work begins, with government fees and statutory charges itemised separately and payable at actuals. If the scope changes, we tell you before doing the work.
What’s included
- 01
Novelty search
The register checked for prior designs. A design already published anywhere is not new, and that includes your own launch.
- 02
Class selection
The correct Locarno class and sub-class for the article, which decides the scope of your protection.
- 03
Representation sheets
Views prepared to the registry's specification — the most common cause of an objection is a defective drawing.
- 04
Filing and prosecution
Form 1 filed with the statement of novelty, and objections answered through to acceptance.
- 05
Certificate and renewal
Certificate delivered with the extension date recorded on your calendar.
Documents required
Collected once, digitally. We check the whole set before anything is filed — document problems are what turn a two-week job into a six-week one.
The design
- Drawings or photographs showing every view of the article
- Statement of novelty — what exactly is new about the design
- Name of the article and its intended use
- Confirmation the design has not been published anywhere
The applicant
- Identity and address proof of the applicant
- Incorporation documents, for an entity
- Assignment from the designer, where they are not the applicant
- Power of attorney authorising us to act
How it works
- Step 01
Novelty assessed
We search prior designs and confirm the design has not already been published, including by you.
- Step 02
Representations prepared
Views drawn to registry specification with a properly worded statement of novelty.
- Step 03
Filed and prosecuted
Form 1 filed, with any objection answered and hearing attended if required.
- Step 04
Registered
Certificate issued and the renewal date recorded.
Questions
Q1Design or trademark or patent?
Design protects appearance, trademark protects the name or logo, and a patent protects how something works. Products often need more than one, and we will map which applies to what you have made.
Q2I already launched the product. Can I still register?
Prior publication generally destroys novelty, so a design already in the market is usually not registrable. Register before launch — this is the single most common and most costly mistake in design filings.
Q3How long does protection last?
Ten years from registration, extendable by a further five on application before expiry. After that the design falls into the public domain.
Q4What if someone copies my registered design?
You can sue for piracy under the Act and seek damages and an injunction. Registration is what makes that action available.
Something specific to your situation? Ask us directly — we answer within one working day.
Next step
Get a written quote for design registration.
Tell us your situation in one message. We come back with the scope, the documents required and the total cost — before any work begins.