Design Registration in Puducherry

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Design Registration in Puducherry : Protect Your Product’s Unique Design

Updated on September 19, 2025 03:56:36 PM

Design registration in Puducherry is a legal way to protect the unique look of your product. If your product has a special shape, design, structure, or unique color combination, registering it ensures no one can copy or use it without your permission.

This protection is provided under the Designs Act, 2000, which is part of India’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) system. It focuses on protecting the appearance of your product, not its functionality. Whether your design is 2D, 3D, or a combination of both, registering it keeps your design safe from being misused. Once registered, you become the legal owner of the design and can even make money by licensing it or leasing it to others.

At Litem Legalis we manage the entire design registration process in Puducherry. Our expert team ensures your design stays protected, so others can't copy it. Contact us today to secure your design’s originality and protect your rights.

Table of Content

What is Design Registration?
What Exactly is a "Design"?
Eligibility Criteria for Design Registration in Puducherry
Benefits of Design Registration
Design Registration Process in Puducherry
Documents Required for a Design Registration in Puducherry
Government Fees for Design Registration in Puducherry
Design Patent vs. Utility Patent
Choosing Between a Design and Utility Patent
Conclusion
Why Litem Legalis?
Faqs

What is Design Registration?

Design registration in Puducherry is a legal process that protects the unique look of your product. It gives you exclusive rights to stop others from copying, selling, or using your design without your permission. This includes the shape, pattern, or overall appearance that makes your product stand out from others. Registering your design ensures that your creativity and hard work are legally protected.

The Designs Act, 2000 gives full ownership to the registered owner. Once registered, you can sell, use, or lease your design for 10 years, with the option to extend it for an additional 5 years. This system is especially helpful for designers, startups, and businesses in Puducherry who want to protect their original designs, prevent copying, and establish a unique presence in the market.

Form – The overall shape of the product
Configuration– The arrangement of different elements
Pattern– Repeated patterns on the surface
Ornamentation – Decorative elements that make the design unique
Color & Line Combinations – Artistic features that define the product’s visual appeal

What Exactly is a "Design"?

A design under IPR regulations refers to the visual elements of a product including its shape configuration pattern and colors. The design can exist as either a two-dimensional drawing or a three-dimensional model as long as it presents an visual aspect.

For Example : A unique torchlight shape can become eligible for registration. You can only protect design through appearance because functionality remains outside the scope of protection. A physical object called an article requires the design to be transformed through industrial or manual processes.

The following elements do not qualify as design elements: The product's operational mechanics together with trademarks and artistic works protected by copyright law are excluded from design protection.

Eligibility Criteria for Design Registration in Puducherry

To qualify for Industrial design registration eligibility(also know as a design patent) demands that your design satisfies these requirements to receive legal protection which grants you exclusive rights for its use and sale or licensing. An industrial design requires three essential requirements to qualify for registration.

New & Original - An industrial design must present an entirely novel original concept. The design cannot duplicate or show minor modifications to any previously existing design.
Distinct & Unique - The design needs to present distinct characteristics which allow it to differ from all other designs available worldwide. A design qualifies for protection only if it appears nowhere in public records or internet databases or other accessible sources. The design needs to distinguish itself from all other designs currently available.
Not Previously Published or Used - The design must remain unpublished and unused both in India and other countries until the filing date emerges. A design becomes ineligible for registration when it appears in public disclosure before the application date.

Benefits of Design Registration

Design registration offers key benefits to help safeguard and strengthen your brand:

Exclusive Rights and Legal Protection : The registration process provides legal protection together with exclusive rights which last through a specific time frame. Your design rights stay exclusive for a specific period so other people cannot use your design without your authorization. You have the authority to protect your design through legal action when another person tries to duplicate it.
Preventing Design Theft : A registered design creates a barrier against unauthorized copying by others. People understand that unauthorized use of protected designs results in legal consequences which makes them avoid such risky behavior.
Financial Benefits : Design ownership grants financial benefits to the owner. Licensing your design to others enables you to generate a continuous source of income. A legally protected design will enhance your business value whenever you decide to sell it.
Strengthening Your Brand : Your brand identity becomes stronger through the application of a registered design. Your business demonstrates its commitment to original work through distinctive design ownership which separates you from competitors. Your brand will gain more customers while building trust with them through your registered designs.
Global Protection : The protection of your work across international borders becomes possible through design registration when you plan business expansion. The registration process protects your intellectual property worldwide and prevents legal complications which ensures the safety of your ideas across borders.
Attracting Investors : Businesses with registered designs find it simpler to obtain investor interest. Businesses that have legally protected assets gain preference from investors because they reduce risks and boost company value.
Preventing Fake Copies : Design registration provides you with enhanced capabilities to combat counterfeits. Your protected design enables you to immediately act against unauthorized use by others.

Design Registration Process in Puducherry

Following steps are mentioned below which need to be undergo while obtaining Trademark Registration:

Step 1: Confidentiality Agreement (NDA)

Before sharing your design with manufacturers, investors, or designers, ask them to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). This prevents them from using or copying your design without permission.

Step 2: Conduct a Design Search

Before applying for design registration, it is essential to verify that your design is unique and not already registered. This helps avoid legal issues and ensures that your design isn’t already registered.

How to Check for Similar Designs:

IP Puducherry’s Online Public Design Search Platform – Visit search.ipPuducherry.gov.in and search for your product name (e.g., "Regenerative Suspension-Based Energy Harvester"). Use the "Containing" option to find similar designs.

If you cannot find a similar registered design, you may proceed with filing a request for a Prior Art Search (Form-7) along with a fee of ₹1,000.

Step 3: Prepare the Design Application

Once you confirm that your design is new, You’ll prepare your design application in which you need to show your design in 7 views: perspective (overall), top, bottom, front, rear, left side, and right side. Use software like SolidWorks if you want a 3D model, or draw it by hand. Put each view on an A4 sheet (up to 7 sheets total) and include:

Left Corner: Your name (or team/college names).
Right Corner: Sheet number (e.g., “1 of 7”).
Title: Your product name (e.g., “Energy Harvester”).
Three Statements:
- “The novelty resides in the shape/configuration of [product name].”
- “No claim is made under this registration in respect of any mechanical or other action.”
- “No claim is made with respect to trademarks.”
Signature: Sign and date each sheet.

Step 4: File the Design Application

Once you have confirmed the uniqueness of your design and peapre the design applciation, the next step is to file the design application with the Puducherryn Patent Office through the IP Puducherry e-filing system.

Head to ipPuducherry.gov.in, find the e-filing design section, and click “New User Sign Up.” Choose your applicant type:

Natural Person (e.g., a student or individual) – Fee: ₹1,000.
Organization (e.g., a college or company) – Fee: ₹4,000.
Startup/Small Entity – Fee varies.

Fill in Details – Enter your name, address, and other required information.

Upload E-Signature – Authenticate your application with an e-signature.

Submit & Confirm – Complete the process and receive a confirmation email.

Step 5: First Examination Report (FER)

After filing, the Design Office will examine your application. If they find any issues, they will send a First Examination Report (FER). You need to respond within 3 months to clarify or correct any objections.If the examiner has further doubts, they may schedule a hearing where you (or your lawyer) can explain your case.After filing, the Design Office will examine your application. If they find any issues, they will send a First Examination Report (FER). You need to respond within 3 months to clarify or correct any objections.If the examiner has further doubts, they may schedule a hearing where you (or your lawyer) can explain your case.

Step 6: Grant of Design Registration

Once all objections are resolved, the Design Office will approve your application and issue a Design Registration Certificate. This certificate proves your legal ownership of the design.

Documents Required for a Design Registration in Puducherry

Here’s a list of documents required for a design application:

Basic Application Forms & Documents Form-1 — (Application for Registration of Design)
- The application form must follow the specifications outlined in Schedule-II of the Designs Rules
- Should include:
  - The document requires the applicant to provide their name together with their address and their nationality.
  - Name of the article
  - The application requires the Locarno Classification-based class number.
  - Address for service in Puducherry
- The document requires a signature from either the applicant or their authorized representative.
Power of Attorney (If Required) Form-21 (Power of Authority)
- Required if the application is filed through a Patent Agent or Advocate
- If submitting a copy of a General Power of Attorney (GPA), it must be endorsed with the design application number linked to the original GPA
Small Entity Status (If Applicable) Form-24 (Declaration for Small Entity)
- If the applicant is claiming "small entity" status, submit:
  - MSME Certificate (for Puducherryn applicants, proving registration under the MSME Act, 2006)
  - Affidavit (for foreign applicants, as per Rule 42 of the Designs Rules)
Priority Claim (If the Design Was First Filed in Another Country) Original Priority Document (under Rule 15 of the Designs Rules)
- Required only for Convention Applications (where the same design was first filed in a foreign country)
Assignment Documents (If Applicable) Assignment in Original
- If the Puducherryn applicant is different from the foreign applicant who first filed the design, a legal assignment document is required
Physical Submission of Documents (For E-filing Applicants)
- If the application is filed electronically, the original paper copies must be submitted within 15 days as per Rule 3 of the Designs Rules

Government Fees for Design Registration

Registering a design in Puducherry involves specific government fees, which vary based on the applicant type—individuals, small entities, and others (companies, firms, etc.). The fee structure is outlined under the Designs Act, 2000 and its related rules

S.No.	Purpose	Form No.	Fees (INR)
1	Application for design registration (Sections 5 & 44)	Form-1	1,000
2	Claim to proceed as an applicant or joint applicant (Section 8)	Form-2	500
3	Application for extension of copyright (Section 11)	Form-3	2,000
4	Application for restoration of lapsed design (Section 12)	Form-4	1,000
5	Additional fee for restoration	-	1,000
6	Inspection of a registered design (Section 17)	Form-5	500
7	Request for information on a design (when registration number is given) (Section 18)	Form-6	500
8	Request for information on a design (when registration number is not given)	Form-7	1,000
9	Petition for cancellation of a registered design (Section 19)	Form-8	1,500
10	Notice of intended exhibition/publication of an unregistered design (Section 21)	Form-9	500
11	Application for document registration in the Design Register (Section 30)	Form-10	500
12	Additional fee for each extra design in the same application	-	200
13	Application for entry of name of proprietor or part proprietor in the Register of Design (Section 30)	Form-11	500
14	Application for mortgage or license entry	Form-12	500
15	Entry of notification of a document in the Design Register (Section 30 & Rule 37)	Form-13	500
16	Request for correction of clerical errors (Section 29)	Form-14	500
17	Request for certification (Section 26 & Rule 41)	Form-15	500
18	Application for certified copy of a registered design (Section 17)	Form-16	500
19	Application for rectification of the Register of Design (Section 31)	Form-17	500
20	Application for an extension of time to submit priority documents (Rule 15 & Rule 18)	Form-18	200 per month
21	Notice of opposition (Rule 40)	Form-19	100
22	Notice of intention to attend a hearing (Rule 29 & 40)	Form-20	500
23	Authorization of an agent or other person	Form-21	No fee
24	Request for altering name/address in the Register of Design	Form-22	200
25	Request for entering two addresses in the Register of Design	Form-23	200
26	Petition for amendment of any document (Rule 46)	-	500
27	Petition for enlargement of time (Rules 29, 40, 47)	-	500
28	Inspection of the Register of Design (Rule 38)	-	250
29	Petition not otherwise provided for	-	1,000
30	Claiming small entity status	Form-24	No fee

Design Patent vs. Utility Patent

When it come to patent protection, people tend to mix up design patents with utility patents although these patents protect distinct aspects of inventions. The legal protection offered by both patents exists but applies to different elements of an invention.

What is a Design Patent? A design patent safeguards the unique features of products instead of their operational capabilities. The protected elements consist of the product's shape together with its configuration and surface decoration and its total visual presentation. The right choice for protecting visual appearance instead of functional aspects is a design patent.

Example:

What is a Utility Patent? A utility patent safeguards the operational aspects together with structural elements and processing methods of an invention. The patent describes both operational aspects and technical advancements along with the relationships between system components. A utility patent should be selected when the main distinctive elements of an invention involve mechanisms or operational methods or technological aspects.

Example:

Choosing Between a Design and Utility Patent

If your product’s uniqueness is in its appearance → Apply for a Design Patent.
If your product’s uniqueness is in its functionality → Apply for a Utility Patent.

In some cases, a product may qualify for both patents. For example, an innovative smartwatch might have a distinctive outer design (covered by a design patent) and a groundbreaking health-monitoring algorithm (protected by a utility patent).

Understanding these differences helps businesses and inventors make the right choice when seeking patent protection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, registering your design in Puducherry is an important step in protecting your product's unique look. However, the process must be handled with care. The design registration system is strict, so it’s essential to make sure your design is original, your documents are correct, and your application is filled out properly. Even small mistakes can delay the process or lead to rejection.

At “Litem Legalis”, we make this process easier for you. Our team understands all the legal details and helps you avoid common mistakes. Whether you're a solo designer, a new business, or an established company, we provide solutions tailored to your needs. Don’t let legal issues slow you down. Contact us today to register your design properly and protect your brand.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is design registration?

Design registration is a legal process that protects the visual appearance of a product—including its shape, configuration, pattern, and ornamentation—granting the owner exclusive rights for up to 10 years (extendable to 15 years).

What Are the Benefits of Design Registration?

Design registration offers several important benefits for businesses and creators:

Exclusive Rights & Legal Protection
Prevention of Design Theft
Financial Benefits
Stronger Brand Identity
Global Protection

It helps protect your design, grow your brand, and add business value.

How long does the protection last after registration?

Once granted, design registration offers exclusive rights for 10 years, with the option to extend protection for an additional 5 years.

What documents are necessary for a design application?

Essential documents include the application form (Form-1), multiple views of the design (as per the guidelines), a power of attorney if applicable, and additional forms such as Form-24 for small entity status, along with any priority or assignment documents if required.

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