Legal Requirement of Publication

• Yes, publication of a registered design is mandatory under the Designs Act, 2000.
  
• Upon successful registration, the design is automatically published in the Designs Journal.
  
• Publication is carried out by the Controller of Designs at the Design Office in Kolkata.
  
• There is no need for a separate request or fee for publication after registration.
  
• The publication ensures the design enters the public record.
  

Purpose of Publication

• Publication informs the public about the existence of the registered design.
  
• It allows third parties to examine the scope and legal status of the design.
  
• It establishes the date from which the design is enforceable.
  
• It helps prevent infringement by enabling transparency.
  
• It facilitates legal action by proving public knowledge of the design.
  

Content of Publication

• The Designs Journal includes the registration number and date.
  
• It provides the name of the proprietor and class of the article.
  
• It includes a brief description and representations of the design.
  
• It shows the statement of novelty submitted by the applicant.
  
• It may contain other administrative details related to the design.
  

Effect of Publication

• The design becomes open to public inspection after publication.
  
• Anyone can request a certified copy or view the design details.
  
• Legal protection begins from the date of registration, but publication reinforces enforceability.
  
• It restricts others from claiming ignorance in infringement cases.
  
• It is a prerequisite for initiating cancellation or opposition proceedings.
  

Administrative Process

• Publication is handled by the Design Office without applicant intervention.
  
• The Controller includes the registered design in the next available Designs Journal issue.
  
• The journal is published periodically on the official IP India website.
  
• Delays in publication do not affect the validity of the registration.
  
• No objection or modification can be made once the design is officially published.