Eligibility under the Designs Act

• Yes, individual components of a product can be registered separately if they meet the legal requirements.
  
• The component must have a distinct shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation.
  
• It should be capable of independent existence and industrial application.
  
• The component must not be purely functional or hidden during normal use.
  
• Only the visual design of the component is eligible for protection.
  

Conditions for Registration

• The component must be new and original at the time of application.
  
• It should be clearly distinguishable from the rest of the product.
  
• It must be represented as a separate article in the design application.
  
• The component must appeal to the eye and serve an aesthetic function.
  
• It should not be dictated solely by its technical or mechanical function.
  

Filing Requirements

• A separate application must be filed for each registrable component.
  
• Form-1 must describe the component as an independent article.
  
• Multiple views must be submitted to show the design of the component clearly.
  
• The correct class and subclass must be selected based on the component’s nature.
  
• A statement of novelty must highlight the unique visual features of the component.
  

Examination and Registration

• The Design Office examines the component like any other design application.
  
• It assesses whether the component qualifies for aesthetic protection.
  
• Functional or non-visible parts are likely to be rejected.
  
• If found registrable, the component is granted a separate certificate and registration number.
  
• It is then published in the Designs Journal as an individual article.
  

Legal Protection and Use

• Registered components enjoy the same legal rights as complete products.
  
• The proprietor can prevent others from copying or imitating the registered component.
  
• The component can be licensed or assigned independently.
  
• Enforcement is limited to the visual features disclosed in the registration.
  
• Combined protection of components and the complete product strengthens IP rights.