Initial Protection Period

• The Designs Act, 2000 provides an initial protection term of ten years.
  
• The term begins from the date of registration of the design.
  
• If priority is claimed from a foreign application, the term starts from the Indian filing date.
  
• During this period, the design owner enjoys exclusive rights over the design.
  
• The registration remains valid unless it is cancelled or allowed to lapse.
  

Renewal Provision

• The initial ten-year term is extendable by a further five years.
  
• The extension is granted only once during the lifetime of the registration.
  
• The renewal must be applied for before the expiry of the initial term.
  
• Form-3 along with the prescribed renewal fee must be submitted.
  
• No additional extension is permitted beyond fifteen years.
  

Total Duration of Protection

• The maximum term of protection under the Designs Act is fifteen years.
  
• This includes the original ten-year term plus a one-time five-year renewal.
  
• Protection ends permanently after this period, with no further extensions.
  
• The design then enters the public domain and can be used by others.
  
• The owner loses all enforcement rights after expiry.
  

Consequences of Non-Renewal

• If the design is not renewed, the protection expires at the end of ten years.
  
• The lapsed design cannot be restored or revived.
  
• Others may legally copy or use the design without infringement.
  
• The proprietor cannot claim damages or file suit after expiry.
  
• The public gains free access to the expired design.
  

Statutory Reference

• The term of protection is governed by Section 11 of the Designs Act, 2000.
  
• The renewal procedure is detailed under the Designs Rules, 2001.
  
• The Controller of Designs manages all term-related records and entries.
  
• The Designs Journal publishes updates on renewals and expirations.
  
• The Register of Designs reflects the current protection status.