IIID welcomes overhaul of the Designs Act, flags key priorities for designers as the body
outlines views on virtual designs, grace periods, enforcement and global filings.
As stakeholder consultations continue on the proposed overhaul of the Designs Act, 2000, professional design bodies are beginning to formally place their views on record. The Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID)—the apex national body representing more than 11,000 professional interior designers, educators, and design practices across India—has shared a detailed response with Sourcing Hardware, welcoming the government’s initiative and outlining its priorities from the perspective of the design profession.
“Design today extends far beyond physical form—it operates across digital environments,
smart systems, and virtual representations,” said Ar Jignesh Modi, National President of IIID. “A progressive design protection regime is essential if India is to strengthen its creative economy and realise the vision of Design in India, Design for the World.”
Modi shared IIID’s key positions on DPIIT’s proposed overhaul of the Designs Act, 2000, as
detailed in the latter’s recent Concept Note:
Extension of Protection to Virtual and Digital Designs
IIID strongly supports the proposal to extend design protection to GUIs, digital interfaces,
icons, and other virtual or screen-based designs.
Interior design today increasingly integrates digital environments, smart systems, interactive surfaces, and virtual visualisation tools. Protecting such non-physical aesthetic expressions is critical for future-ready practice and aligns India with international standards.
Introduction of a 12-month Full Grace Period
We fully endorse the proposed 12-month grace period. Many designers, startups, and
MSMEs test concepts through exhibitions, client presentations, or limited market exposure
before formal filings. A broader grace period will prevent inadvertent loss of rights and
significantly benefit young and emerging design professionals.
Deferment of Publication (up to 30 months)
IIID supports the option of deferred publication. This flexibility is commercially important
where confidentiality, phased launches, or client-sensitive projects are involved. It will
encourage earlier filings while safeguarding strategic interests.
Multiple Designs in a Single Application & Divisional Filings
We strongly welcome these procedural simplifications. Interior design projects often involve
families of related products or variations. Allowing bundled filings will reduce cost and
paperwork, especially for small studios and independent practitioners.
Accession to the Hague System & International Registrations
IIID supports India’s proposed accession to the Hague Agreement. This will enable Indian
designers to secure protection globally through a single application and significantly
enhance export competitiveness and international collaboration.
Statutory Damages for Infringement
We believe stronger enforcement mechanisms are necessary. Design piracy and imitation
remain serious concerns in the interiors, furniture, and product design ecosystem. Statutory damages would provide meaningful deterrence and make enforcement more practical when quantifying losses is difficult.
Term of Protection Structure (5+5+5)
We find the proposed staggered renewal structure reasonable, as it balances innovation
incentives with public domain access while giving designers flexibility based on commercial
relevance.
Design – Copyright Interface
Greater clarity between design and copyright protection will be beneficial. Reducing
ambiguity will lower litigation risk and provide certainty to design-led businesses.
What Design Professionals Still Need
In addition to the proposed amendments, IIID has called for:
- simplified filing procedures and reduced fees for individual designers, students, and MSMEs
- greater awareness and outreach on the benefits of design registration
- faster examination timelines for small entities
- sector-specific guidance for design professionals working in interiors, furniture, and spatial systems
As stakeholder consultations continue on the overhaul of the Designs Act, IIID’s response
underscores a broader industry consensus: while the proposed reforms are progressive and
well-calibrated, their real impact will depend on accessibility, awareness, and enforcement.
For India’s expanding design fraternity, the current consultation window represents a rare
opportunity to shape a framework that protects creativity as economic value.
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