Initial Examination Phase

• The application is kept confidential until formal registration.
  
• Only the Design Office has access to submitted documents during scrutiny.
  
• No public access is allowed while the design is under examination.
  
• The Controller and examining officers are bound by official secrecy obligations.
  
• Confidentiality is maintained to protect the applicant’s commercial interest.
  

Delayed Publication Mechanism

• A registered design is not published immediately upon filing.
  
• It is only published after acceptance and entry in the Register of Designs.
  
• This ensures the design details remain undisclosed during the review phase.
  
• The time gap between filing and publication allows the applicant to plan IP strategy.
  
• Third parties cannot inspect the design before publication.
  

Controlled Disclosure Rules

• Information on pending applications is not available in public databases.
  
• Access to documents is limited to authorized personnel.
  
• External parties may not obtain inspection rights during processing.
  
• Copies or extracts of the application are not issued without permission.
  
• Public inspection is allowed only after registration is complete.
  

Legal Safeguards

• The Designs Act enforces confidentiality provisions for officials.
  
• Unauthorized disclosure of application details may attract disciplinary action.
  
• Applicants can request corrections or clarifications privately with the office.
  
• Sensitive content beyond design representation is not disclosed.
  
• Personal data of the applicant is handled as per legal standards.
  

Post-Registration Disclosure Control

• Only design-specific information is made public in the Design Journal.
  
• Proprietary technical documents remain undisclosed.
  
• Rights holders may control further sharing of the registered design.
  
• Legal provisions exist to challenge misuse of registered content.
  
• Strategic use of publication timing helps protect trade secrets.