India Signs Landmark Riyadh Design Law Treaty to Boost Global Design Protection

New Delhi: After two decades of deliberations, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member states have adopted the historic Design Law Treaty (DLT). India’s signing of the Final Act of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty reaffirms its commitment to fostering inclusive growth and promoting equitable access to intellectual property protection.

The DLT aims to harmonize procedural frameworks for industrial design protection, streamlining registration processes across jurisdictions. By reducing administrative burdens, the treaty seeks to promote global creativity in design, especially benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and independent designers.

Key provisions of the treaty include:

• Relaxed time limits and reinstatement of lost rights, offering flexibility to applicants.
• Simplified processes for correcting or adding priority claims, and recording assignments and licenses.
• The ability to file multiple designs in a single application, reducing costs and complexity.
• Encouragement for countries to adopt electronic industrial design systems and enable digital exchange of priority documents.

These measures aim to make industrial design registration more accessible, efficient, and equitable globally.

India’s active role in the treaty reflects its emphasis on design protection as a catalyst for innovation and economic development. With initiatives like Startup India and the Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme, India is empowering its entrepreneurs to secure global design rights, enhancing their competitiveness in international markets.

The results are evident:

• Design registrations in India have tripled over the past decade.
• Domestic filings increased by 120% in the last two years.
• Design applications grew by 25% last year, showcasing a thriving ecosystem of innovation and creativity.

With a rich heritage of creativity and craftsmanship, India’s participation in the DLT underscores its role as a global leader in intellectual property protection. By aligning with international standards, India is set to further support its SMEs, startups, and independent designers, ensuring they thrive in the global economy.