An industrial design constitutes the ornamental aspect of an article. It may constitute of three dimensional features, such as shape of an article, or two dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or colour. India is party to various international treaties which protect international designs, including the Paris Convention and TRIPs. Although India is not a signatory to the Locarno Agreement, the classification of articles to which a design is applied is based on the International Classification of Industrial Designs as per the
INTERNATIONAL DESIGN SEARCH
A Freedom to Operate Design Search in a foreign country will help the prospective applicant to know whether someone has already applied for a similar design in that country or region for particular goods. This will help them to know their chances in registering a design patent in that country without trouble or whether they can export their goods with a particular design to that country without infringing upon a product with similar design.
INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL DESIGN REGISTRATION
Industrial Design registration is essential if you are planning to sell a product with particular design in a specific country. Time line for registration varies from country to country. There is a provision to claim priority in a Paris convention member country within 6 months of filing a national industrial design application.