Union of India - Act
Designs Act, 1911
UNION OF INDIA
India
India
Designs Act, 1911
Act 02 of 1911
- Published in Gazette of India on 1 March 1911
- Not commenced
- [This is the version of this document from 1 March 1911.]
- [Note: The original publication document is not available and this content could not be verified.]
An Act to amend the law relating to the protection of 1 * * * Designs WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the law relating to the protection of 1* * * designs ; It is hereby enacted as follows:-Short title, extent and commencement.(3)It shall come into force on the first day of January, 1912.Definitions. 2.Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context:- 6* * * * (2)"article" means 7*** any article of manufacture and any substance, artificial or natural or partly artificial and partly natural; (4)"copyright" means the exclusive right to apply a design to any article in any class in which the design is registered ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 The words "Inventions and" omitted by Act, 39 of 1970. s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 2 The words "Indian Patents and" omitted by s. 162 and Sch. ibid. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 3 Subs. by Act 32 of 1950, s. 3. for the former sub-section. 4 This Act has been extended to- Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3 and Sch. and brought into force in Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and Sch. I, with modification (w.e.f. 1-7-1965): and comes into force in Pondicherry with modifications vide Reg. 7 of 1963, s. 3 and Sch. I (w.e.f. 1-10-1963); Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands vide Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-10-1967). 5 The words "except the State of Jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and Sch. (9)"legal representative " means a person who in law represents the estate of a deceased person; 4* * * * * (12)"patent office" means the patent office referred to in section 74 of the Patents Act, 1970 ;] (39 of 1970). (13)"prescribed" includes prescribed by rules under this Act ;and (14)"proprietor of a 6[new or original] design",- (a) where the author of the design, for good consideration, executes the work for some other person, means the person for whom the design is so executed; and (b) where any person acquires the design or the right to apply the design to any article, either exclusively of any other person or otherwise means, In the respect and to the extent in and to which the design or right has been so acquired, the person by whom the design or right is so acquired ; and (c) in any other case, means the author of the design ;and where the property in, or the right to apply, the design --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Cl. (ee) ins. by the Punjab Reorganisation and Delhi High Court (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1968. 2 Ins. by Act 39 of. 1970. s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 3 Cl. (7A) ins. by Act 32 of 1950, s. 4, was omitted by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and Sch. (2)The application must be made in the prescribed form and must be left at the Patent Office in the prescribed manner and must be accompanied by the prescribed fee. (3)The same design may be registered in more than one class, and, in case of doubt as to the class in which a design ought to be registered, the Controller may decide the question. (4)The Controller may, if he thinks fit, refuse to register any design presented to him for registration, but any person aggrieved by any such refusal may appeal to the 4 [Central Government]. (5)An application which,, owing to any default or neglect on the part of the applicant, has not been completed so as to enable registration to be effected within the prescribed time shall be deemed to be abandoned. (6)A design when registered shall be registered as of the date of the application for registration.Registration of designs in new classes. 44.Registration of designs in new classes. Where a design has been registered in one or more classes of goods, the application of the proprietor of the design to register it in --------------------------------------------------------------------- (2)The Controller may, in case of loss of the original certificate, or in any other case in which he deems it expedient, furnish one or more copies of the certificate. 46 Register of designs. (2)The register of designs existing at the commencement of this Act shall be incorporated with and form part of the register of designs under this Act. (3)The register of designs shall be prima facie evidence of any matters by this Act directed or authorised to be entered therein. Copyright in Registered Designs. Copyright in Registered DesignsCopyright on registration. (2)If 4 * * * before the expiration of the said five years application for the extension of the period of copyright is made to the Controller in ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 7 of 1930. s. 23. 2 Subs. by Act 32 of 1950, s. 2. 3 Ins. by Act 7 of 1930. s. 23. 4 The words "within the prescribed time" were rep. by Act 12 of 1939. s. 11. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 the prescribed manner, the Controller shall, on payment of the prescribed fee, extend the period of copyright for a second period of five years from the expiration of the original period of five years. (3)If 1*** before the expiration of such second period of five years application for the extension of the period of copyright is made to the Controller in the prescribed manner, the Controller may, subject to any rules under this Act, on payment of the prescribed fee, extend the period of copyright for a third period of five years from the expiration of the second period of five years.Requirements before delivery on sales. (2)Where a representation is made to the 2[Central Government] by or on behalf of any trade or industry that in the interests of the trade or industry it is expedient to dispense with or modify as regards any class or description of articles any of the requirements of this section as to marking, the 2 [Central Government] may, if 2[it] thinks fit, by rule under this Act, dispense with or modify such requirements as regards any such class or description of articles to such extent and subject to such conditions as 2[it] thinks fit. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 The words "within the prescribed time" were rep. by Act 12 of 1939 s. 11. 2 Subs. by the A.O. 1937. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11Effect of disclosure on copyright. 49.Effect of disclosure on copyright. The disclosure of a design by the proprietor to any other person, in such circumstances as would make it contrary to good faith for that other person to use or publish the design, and the disclosure of a design in breach of good faith by any person other than the proprietor of the design, and the acceptance of a first and confidential order for goods bearing a new or original textile design intended for registration, shall not be deemed to be a publication of the design sufficient to invalidate the copyright thereof if registration thereof is obtained subsequently to the disclosure or acceptance. 50 Inspection of registered designs. (2)After the expiration of the copyright in a design, or such shorter period as aforesaid, the design shall be open to inspection, and copies thereof may be taken by any person on payment of the prescribed fee, (3)Different periods may be prescribed under this section, for different classes of goods.Information as to existence of copyright. 51.Information as to existence of copyright. On the request of any person furnishing such information as may enable the Controller to indentify the design, and on payment of the prescribed fee, the Controller shall inform such person whet-her the registration still exists in respect of the design, and, if so, in respect of what classes of goods. and shall state the date of registration, and the name and address of the registered proprietor. 12 (2)An appeal shall lie from any order of the Controller under this section to the High Court, and the Controller may at any time refer any such petition to the High Court, and the High Court shall decide any petition so referred.] 3[51B.Designs to bind Government. A registered design shall have to all intents the like effect as against Government as it has against any person and the provisions of Chapter XVII of the Patents Act, 1970,(39 of 1970). shall apply to registered designs as they apply to patents.] Industrial and International ExhibitionsProvisions as to exhibitions. 4[52. Provisions as to exhibitions. The exhibition of a design, or of any article to which a design is applied, at an industrial or other exhibition to which the provisions of this section have been extended by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette, or the publication of a description of the design, during the period of the holding of the exhibition. or the exhibition of the design or the article or the publication of a description of the design by any person elsewhere during or after the period of the holding of the exhibition, without the privity or consent of the proprietor, shall not prevent the design from being registered or invalidate the registration thereof: Provided that-- (a) the exhibitor exhibiting the design or article, or publishing a description of the design, gives to the Controller previous notice in the prescribed form; and ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 SS. 51A and 51B ins. by Act 7 of 1930, s. 24. 2 Subs. by Act 32 of 1950, s.2 3 Subs. by Act 39 of 1970, s. 162 and sch., for s. 51B (w.e.f. 20-4- 1972). 4 Subs. by Act 12 of 1939 , s. 12, for the original section. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 (b) the application for registration is made within six months from the date of first exhibiting the design or article or publishing a description of the design.] Legal ProceedingsPiracy of registered design. (2)If any person acts in contravention of this section, he shall be liable for every contravention- (a) to pay to the registered proprietor of the design a sum not exceeding five hundred rupees recoverable as a contract debt, or (b) if the proprietor elects to bring a suit for the recovery of damages for any such contravention, and for an injunction against the repetition thereof, to pay such damages as may be awarded and to be restrained by injunction accordingly : Provided that the total sum recoverable in respect of any one design under clause (a) shall not exceed one thousand rupees. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Ins. by Act 12 of 1939, s. 13. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 (3)When the Court makes a decree in a suit under sub-section (2), it shall send a copy of the decree to the Controller, who shall cause an entry thereof to be made in the register of designs.Application of certain provisions of the act as to patents to designs. 54.Application of certain provisions of the act as to patents to designs.The provisions of the Patents Act, 1970. with regard to certificates of the validity of a patent, and to the remedy in case of groundless threats of legal proceedings by a patentee shall apply in the case of registered designs in like manner as they apply in the case of patents, with the substitution of references to the copyright in a design for references to a patent, and of references to the proprietor of a design for references to the patentee, and of references to the designs for references to the invention. PART GENERAL PART III GENERAL Patent Office and Proceedings threatPatent Office. 55.[Patent Office.] Rep. by the Patents Act, 1970, 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972).Officers and clerks. 56. (Officers and clerks] Rep. by a. 162 and Sch., ibid.(w,e.f. 20-4-1972).Fees Fees. (2)A proceeding in respect of which a fee is payable under this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be of no effect unless the fee has been paid. Provisions as to Registers and other Documents in the Patent OfficeNotice of trust not to be entered in registers. 58.Notice of trust not to be entered in registers. There shall not be entered in any register kept under this Act, or be receivable by the Controller, any notice of any trust, expressed, implied or constructive. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch. for certain words (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). (2)Where an application for a design has been abandoned or refused, the application and any drawings, photographs, tracings, re- presentations or specimens left in connection with the application shall not at any time be open to public inspection or be published by the Controller.Power of Controller to correct clerical errors. 2[62.Power of Controller to correct clerical errors. The Controller may, on request in writing accompained by the prescribed fee, correct any clerical error in the representation of a design or in the name or address of the proprietor of any design or in any other matter which is entered upon the register of designs.]Entry of assignments and transmissions in registers. (2)Where any person becomes entitled as mortgagee, licensee or otherwise to any interest in a 4*** registered design, he may make application to the Controller to register his title, and the Controller shall, on receipt of such application and on proof of title to his satisfaction, --------------------------------------------------------------------- (3)The person registered as the proprietor of a 2* design shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and to any rights appearing from the register to be vested in any other person, have power absolutely to assign, grant licenses as to, or otherwise deal with, the 2 * design and to give effectual receipts for any consideration for any such assignment, license or dealing: Provided that any equities in respect of the 2*** design may be enforced in like manner as in respect of any other movable property. (1)and (2) shall not be admitted in evidence in any Court in proof of the title 2*** to copyright in a design or to any interest therein, unless the Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, otherwise directs.]Rectification of register. (2)The 4[Controller] may in any proceeding under this section decide any question that it may be necessary or expedient to decide in connection with the rectification of a register. (4)Any order of the Court rectifying a register shall direct that notice of the rectification be served on the Controller in the prescribed manner, who shall upon the receipt of such notice rectify the register accordingly. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch.. for certain words (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 2 Certain words omitted by s. 162 and Sch., ibid. (w.e.f. 20-4- 1972). 3 Ins. by Act 7 of 1930, s. 26. 4 Subs. by s. 27, ibid. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 (2)In calculating the said period of 3[three] months the time (if any) occupied in granting a copy of the order appealed against shall be excluded. (3)The 2[Central Government] may, if 2[it] thinks fit, obtain the assistance of an expert in deciding such appeals, and the decision of the 2[Central Government] shall be final. Evidence, etc. 4[70A.Evidence before the Controller. Subject to any rules made under section 77, in any proceeding under this Act before the Controller, the evidence shall be given by affidavit, in the absence of directions by the Controller to the contrary ; but in any case in which the Controller thinks it right so to do he may take evidence viva voce in lieu of or in addition to evidence by affidavit or may allow any party to be cross-examined on the contents of his affidavit.]Certificate of Controller to be evidence. 71.Certificate of Controller to be evidence. A certificate purporting to be under the hand of the Controller as to any entry, matter or thing which he is authorized by this Act, or any rules made thereunder, to make or do, shall be prima facie evidence of the entry having been made, and of the contents thereof, and of the matter or thing having been done or left undone. 5[71A.Evidence of documents in Patent Office. Printed or written copies or extracts, purporting to be certified by the Controller and sealed with the seal of the Patent Office, of 6*** documents in the Patent Office, and of or from registers and other books kept there, shall be admitted in evidence in all Courts in 7 [India), --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 ins. by Act 7 of 1930, s. 28 the A.0. 1937. 2 Subs. by the A.0. 1937. 3 Subs. by Act 7 of 1930, s. 28. 4 Ins. by Act 12 of 1939, s. 16. 5 Ins. by s. 17, ibid. 6 Certain words omitted by Act 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20- 4-1972). 7 Subs. by Act 32 of 1950, s. 2. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 and in all proceedings, without further proof or production of the originals : Provided that a Court may, if it has reason to doubt the accuracy or authenticity of the copies tendered in evidence, require the production of the originals or such further proof as it considers necessary.]Transmission of copies of specifications, etc., and inspectionthereof. 72. [Transmission of copies of specifications, etc., and inspection thereof.] Rep. by the Patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970), s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972).Applications and notices by posts. 73.Applications and notices by posts. Any application, notice or other document authorized or required to be left, made or given at the Patent Office or to the Controller, or to any other person under this Act, may be sent by post.Declaration by infant, lunatic, etc. (2)An appointment may be made by the Court for the purposes of this section upon the petition of any person acting on behalf of the person subject to the disability or of any other person interested in the making of the statement or the doing of the thing. 1 74A. [Security for costs.] Rep. by the Patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970), s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). AgencySubscription and verification of certain documents. 75. [Subscription and verification of certain documents.] Rep. by the patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970), s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4- 1972).Agency. (2)The Controller may, if he sees fit, require- (a) any such agent to be resident in 1[India]; (b) any person not residing in 1[India] to employ an agent residing in 1[India]; (c) the personal signature or presence of any applicant 2*** or other person. Powers, etc., of 3[Central Government]Power for Central Government to make rules. (2)The power to make rules under this section shall be subject to the condition of the rules being made after previous publication. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 32 of 1950, s. 2. 2 Certain words omitted by Act, 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 12-4-1972). 3 Subs. by the A.O. 1937. 4 The word "specification" omitted by Act 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 5 Subs. by s. 162 and Sch., ibid., for cl. (e) (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 6 Ins. by Act 7 of 1930, s. 31. 7 Cl. (eee) omitted by Act 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4- 1972). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 1* * * * * (3)All rules made under this section shall be published in the 2[Official Gazette], and on such publication shall have effect as if enacted in this Act. (2)The registration of a design shall not be invalidated by reason only of the exhibition or use of, or the publication of a description or representation of, the design in India during the period specified in this section as that within which the application may be made. (3)The application for the registration of a design under this section. must be made in the same manner as an ordinary application under this Act. (4)Where it is made to appear to the Central Government that the legislature of any such Commonwealth country as may be notified by the Central Government in this behalf has made satisfactory provision --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Sub-section (2A) ins. by Act 7 of 1930, s. 31 was omitted by Act 39 of 1970, s.162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 2 Subs. by the A. O. 1937. 3 Ins. by ACt 4 of 1986, s.2 & Sch. (w.e.f. 15-5-1986) 4 The heading and s. 78A ins. by Act 29 of 1920. a. 2. 5 Subs. by Act 39 of 1970, s. 162 and Sch., for s. 78A, (w.e.f. 20-4- 1972). --------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 for the protection of designs registered in India, the Central Govern- ment may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that the provisions of this section, with such variations or additions, if any, as may be set out in such notification, shall apply for the protection of designs registered in that Commonwealth country.]] 178B. [Special provisions relating to applications relevant for defence purposes.] Rep by the Patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970), s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 178C. [Special provisions in respect of applications for patents in the field of food, drug or medicine.] Rep. by the Patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970), 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). 178D. [Consequence of directions under section 78B or section 78C.] Rep. by the Patents Act 1970 (39 of 1970), s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972.] 178E. [Contravention of directions under section 78B.] Rep. by the Patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970), s.162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). Savings and RepealSaving for prerogative. 79. [Saving for prerogative.] Rep. by the Adaptation of Laws Order, 1960.Repeals and savings. (2)Nothing contained in section 6 of the Part B States (Laws) Act, 1951,(3 of 1951). 1[or section 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir (Extension of Laws) Act, 1956 (62 of 1956), shall have- effect in relation to this Act.] 81. [Substitution of patents for rights under repealed Act.] Rep. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1920 (31 of 1920), s. 3 and Sch. II. SCHE Fees THE SCHEDULE. [Fees.] Rep. by the Patents Act, 1970 (39 of 1970), s. 162 and Sch. (w.e.f. 20-4-1972). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Ins. by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and Sch. ----------------------------------------------------------------------