India Joins Global Effort to Protect Intellectual Property Rights by Signing Design Law Treaty

India’s rich heritage of design and craftsmanship positions it as a leader in leveraging intellectual property for economic growth.

India has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering global creativity and protecting intellectual property rights by signing the Final Act of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT). This landmark agreement, adopted by the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) after nearly two decades of negotiations, marks a significant step toward harmonizing industrial design protection worldwide.

The Riyadh DLT aims to streamline and simplify the procedural frameworks for industrial design protection across jurisdictions, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring broader accessibility for stakeholders. By standardizing the registration process, the treaty is expected to bolster global creativity, especially benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and independent designers.

The treaty includes key provisions such as:

Relaxed Time Limits: Offering applicants more flexibility in meeting deadlines.

Reinstatement of Lost Rights: Allowing for the recovery of design rights if procedural deadlines are missed.

Simplified Recording Processes: Making it easier to record assignments and licenses.

Multiple Designs in One Application: Enabling cost-effective filings.

Electronic Design Systems: Encouraging the adoption of digital tools for filing and exchanging documents.

These provisions are expected to reduce procedural complexities and costs, making design protection more inclusive and accessible.

India's Role in Promoting Design Innovation

India’s rich heritage of design and craftsmanship positions it as a leader in leveraging intellectual property for economic growth. Over the last decade, the country has seen remarkable growth in design registrations, which have tripled, with domestic filings increasing by 120% in the past two years alone. In 2023, design applications witnessed a 25% year-on-year growth, reflecting the country's proactive policies and initiatives like the Startup India program and the Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme.

By signing the treaty, India enhances its ability to empower its vibrant SME and startup ecosystems to secure design rights globally. These efforts align with the nation’s broader vision of creating a supportive environment for innovation, further boosting its competitiveness in international markets.

Global Implications

The DLT’s provisions will promote innovation worldwide, encouraging nations to implement digital platforms for design protection and enabling the electronic exchange of priority documents. The treaty seeks to foster inclusivity, ensuring that the benefits of streamlined design laws reach all stakeholders, regardless of size or resources.

WIPO Director-General Daren Tang hailed the treaty as a “milestone in global intellectual property law,” emphasizing its potential to democratize design protection by making it more accessible and affordable.

Looking Ahead

The signing of the DLT reflects India's broader commitment to building a robust intellectual property framework that aligns with its goal of sustainable and inclusive economic development. By participating in this global treaty, India strengthens its position as a hub for creativity and innovation while contributing to international efforts to standardize and simplify intellectual property processes.

The DLT is poised to accelerate design-driven economic progress, helping nations unlock the potential of industrial design in driving innovation, trade, and sustainable growth. For India, the treaty’s implementation will further integrate its designers into the global market, ensuring their contributions are protected and recognized worldwide.