IP Glossary · India

Design Registration vs Copyright

Short answer

Copyright cannot be used to protect designs applied industrially beyond fifty copies under Section 15 of the Copyright Act; design registration is the appropriate route for commercial product appearance.

Definition

Copyright protects original artistic works; design registration protects the applied appearance of an article sold in commerce. The same product may involve both, but overlap is limited by statute.

How DuxLegis can help

This glossary entry is for general education under Indian IP law and is not legal advice. For advice on your specific matter, speak with a registered patent agent or IP attorney.

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