Archive · 29 Jan 2026
DPIIT Proposes Changes to Designs Law
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in India wants to update the old Designs law to keep up with modern technology.
They want to protect virtual designs like graphics and animations, not just physical ones.
They also propose letting people delay publishing their designs, change the protection period, and file multiple designs in one application.
India is now a top 10 country for design applications, showing how important good design is for businesses.
These changes aim to make India a hub for original and creative designs.
DPIIT proposes changes to the Designs Act 2000 to address digital and technology-driven innovation.
Suggested amendments include extending protection to virtual designs like graphical user interfaces and animations.
Proposed changes also include deferring publication of designs for up to 30 months and adopting a 5-5-5 term of protection.
Multiple designs in the same class can be filed under a single application to reduce costs and administrative effort.
India received 12,160 design applications in 2024, ranking 7th globally, highlighting the importance of design protection.
- Who
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
- What
- Proposed changes to the Designs Act 2000
- When
- Proposed changes announced on January 28
- Where
- India
- Why
- To make the law more effective in the digital and technology-driven innovation landscape
- Department
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
- Current Law
- Designs Act 2000
- Proposed Changes
- Extension to virtual designs, deferring publication, term of protection, multiple designs filings, international registrations
- Current Protection Term
- 10 years initially, renewable for 5 years
- Proposed Protection Term
- 5-5-5 term to align with Hague Agreement
- Global Design Applications 2024
- 1.22 million
- India's Design Applications 2024
- 12,160
- India's Global Rank 2024
- 7th
