Individuals, companies, LLPs, legal representatives or assignees, partnership firms, startups, and eligible foreign nationals/entities can apply for design registration.

The certificate includes the registered design number, applicant details, the class under the Locarno Classification, and the date of registration, serving as legal proof of ownership.

Design applications are filed with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Designs that are not new or original, previously disclosed, purely mechanical, scandalous or obscene, or that qualify as trademarks, property marks, or artistic works are not eligible for registration.

Generally, a separate application is required for each unique design, though certain related designs applied to the same article set may be filed together under specific conditions.

A registered design gives the owner exclusive rights to use, license, or sell the design and provides legal protection against imitation or infringement for up to 15 years.

If the design is not renewed before expiry, it lapses; however, it can be restored within 1 year from the date of lapse by filing a restoration application with a valid explanation.

The design registration process typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the accuracy of the application and whether any objections are raised.

The priority date establishes the earliest claim to the design and is crucial for determining novelty and precedence over any subsequent similar applications.