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.
With the changes in the IPR regime in 2005, to make it WTO compliant, India has seen many folds increase in filling of patent applications for protection of intellectual property. While innovations are necessary, their legal protection is equally necessary and for this purpose, it is imperative that the legal requirements and the processes involved in such protection are clearly understood and followed. This requires the services of expert and legal practitioner, practising in this branch of law.