**Executive Summary**
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has released a Concept Note proposing amendments to the Designs Act, 2000. The goal is to modernise India's design protection framework and align it with international best practices. The note also proposes India's accession to the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT) and the Hague Agreement. DPIIT invites comments and suggestions from stakeholders to facilitate further deliberations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendments Proposed**
* Extend design protection to virtual designs through changes to the definitions of 'article' and 'design'.
* Introduce a full grace period of 12 months.
* Allow deferring publication of a design for up to 30 months.
* Introduce timeline relief provisions aligned with the Designs Law Treaty.
* Incorporate statutory damages.
* Revise the term of protection.
* Allow multiple design filings in a single application.
* Provide an option for division of applications.
* Incorporate miscellaneous changes to align with DLT and the Hague Agreement.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders:** All Stakeholders
**Impact**
The proposed amendments aim to ensure that India's design law remains relevant in an evolving landscape.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders are invited to provide comments and suggestions on the proposals to facilitate further deliberations and detailed development of the amendments. The Concept Note can be accessed on the DPIIT website for public consultation.
Key Entities Referenced
Designs Act, 2000: The principal act being amended to modernize India's design protection framework.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): The department proposing the amendments and inviting stakeholder comments.
Concept Note: Document released by DPIIT outlining proposed amendments to the Designs Act, 2000.
Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT): International treaty that the Concept Note proposes India to accede to.
Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement): International agreement that the Concept Note proposes India to accede to.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Department for Promotion of Industry and
Internal Trade Proposes Amendments to Designs
Act to Align with Global Best Practices
Design Law Reforms to Advance “Design in India, Design for
the World” Vision
प्रव तथ: 29 JAN 2026 12:31PM by PIB Delhi
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry,
has released a Concept Note proposing amendments to the Designs Act, 2000, with the objective of
modernising India’s design protection framework and aligning it with international best practices. The
Concept Note also proposes India’s accession to the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT) and the Hague
Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement).
In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Design in India, Design for the World”, the proposed
amendments seek to ensure that India’s design law remains relevant in an evolving landscape
characterised by digital innovation, virtual products and immersive consumer experiences.
Key proposals outlined in the Concept Note include:
Extending design protection to virtual designs by making material changes to the definition of
‘article’ and ‘design’.
Introduction of full grace period of 12 months
Introduction of the option for deferring publication of design for up-to 30 months.
Introduction of timeline relief provision in alignment with Designs Law Treaty.
Statutory Damages.
Revision to term of protection.
Introduction of multiple designs filings (in a single application).
Option for division of applications
Other miscellaneous changes aligning with DLT and Hague Agreement
The Concept Note provides a broad overview of the proposed amendments. DPIIT has invited comments
and suggestions from stakeholders on the proposals contained therein to facilitate further deliberations and
detailed development of the amendments.
The Concept Note is available on the official website of DPIIT for public consultation and can be accessed
through
https://www.dpiit.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/01/791a71ebde47d93b67560f7394be2fec.pdf
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Abhishek Dayal/Anushka Pandey(रलीज़ आईडी: 2219951) आगंतुक पटल : 376
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Tamil