DESIGNS
The Designs Act, 2000 was brought into force on May 11, 2001. Its key features are:
· Amplification of scope of design to include composition of lines or colours applied to any article whether in two or three dimensional form.
· Introduction of concept of “absolute novelty” in place of “local novelty” for assessing the registrability of a design.
· Claiming of priority from a design application filed in the UK or any of the other convention countries or group of countries or countries which are members of inter-governmental organisations. This provision operates prospectively.
· Adoption of International Classification of Industrial Designs based on the Locarno Classification.
· Publication of all registered designs along with the representation of the article.
· Inspection of all registered design and obtaining its certified copy.
· Restoration of a lapsed design within one year.
Validation of a registered design for 10 years extendible by 5 years.