📋 In This Article
Industrial designs in India are classified under the Locarno Classification system into 32 broad classes and 237 subclasses, covering everything from foodstuffs to furniture to graphic symbols. With 23+ years of exclusive IP practice and 5000+ trademarks filed, we help clients pick the right class before filing for design registration — since choosing an incorrect classification is one of the most common reasons applications face objections at the Design Office.
What Is the Locarno Classification?
The Locarno Classification is the international system, administered by WIPO, that India formally adopted for classifying industrial designs. It groups every registrable design into one of 32 classes and 237 subclasses, covering roughly 6,800 different types of products — from foodstuffs to furniture to graphic symbols.
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What Are the Main Design Classes in India?
| Class | Covers |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | Foodstuffs |
| Class 2 | Articles of clothing and haberdashery |
| Class 3 | Travel goods, cases, parasols and personal belongings |
| Class 6 | Furnishing |
| Class 7 | Household goods, not elsewhere specified |
| Class 8 | Tools and hardware |
| Class 9 | Packages and containers |
| Class 12 | Means of transport or hoisting |
| Class 14 | Recording, telecommunication and data-processing equipment |
| Class 32 | Graphic symbols and logos, surface patterns, ornamentation (newly added class) |
Two-Dimensional vs Three-Dimensional Designs — What's the Difference?
Most design classes protect three-dimensional features — the shape or configuration of a physical article, like a chair, bottle, or vehicle part. Class 32, introduced more recently, covers two-dimensional designs — surface patterns, ornamentation, and graphic symbols applied to a surface rather than defining an object's physical form.
What Types of Designs Are NOT Registrable in India?
- Purely functional featuresIf a feature exists only for how the product works, not how it looks, it belongs to patent law, not design law
- GUIs and app iconsThe Design Office has consistently refused registration for graphical user interfaces and icons, even though they technically fall within the classification, on the ground that they don't meet the Section 2(a)/2(d) definition of 'article' and 'design'
- Works already protected as artistic worksThe Designs Act specifically excludes anything that is, in substance, an artistic work under the Copyright Act
- Trademarks or property marksA logo used purely as a source identifier belongs under trademark law, not design law
- Designs lacking noveltyAnything previously published or used in India or elsewhere cannot be registered
How Do You Choose the Right Design Class for Your Product?
Classification is based on the nature and predominant use of the article, not just its material. Choosing an incorrect class is one of the most common reasons design applications face objections at the Design Office in Kolkata, which can add months to the registration timeline. A design search across the relevant class before filing helps confirm both the right classification and that your design is genuinely novel.
Why Choose Adv. Nikhil Soni & Co.?
- Personal handling by senior advocateAdv. Nikhil Soni personally handles every IPR matter — clients deal directly with the advocate
- 23+ years, 5000+ trademarksExclusive IP practice since 2001 — 5000+ trademarks filed across India
- End-to-end supportFrom classification and novelty search to full design registration, we manage the entire filing process
- All India coverageFiling and enforcement support across all five Trade Marks Offices and the Patent Office
Frequently Asked Questions
How many design classes are there in India?
India follows the current edition of the Locarno Classification, which has 32 classes and 237 subclasses, covering roughly 6,800 different types of products.
Can I register a logo as an industrial design? Design vs trademark for logos
Logos technically fall under the newly introduced Class 32 (graphic symbols, surface patterns), but in the design vs trademark comparison, most brand logos are better protected as trademarks, which can be renewed indefinitely, unlike design registration, which runs for a maximum of 15 years.
Can I register a mobile app icon or GUI design in India?
Currently no — the Design Office has consistently refused registration for GUIs and icons, even though they technically fall within the classification, on the ground that they don't meet the Section 2(a)/2(d) definition of 'article' and 'design' under the Designs Act, 2000.
What is the difference between design registration and copyright?
Design registration protects features that appeal to the eye on an article produced by an industrial process; copyright protects original artistic, literary, or other creative works — the Designs Act specifically excludes works already protected as artistic works under copyright.
Can a single product be registered under multiple design classes?
Generally an application is filed under one primary class; applicants with multiple variations typically file separate or multi-design applications rather than combining unrelated classes.
What happens if I choose the wrong design class?
It's one of the most common reasons for objections at the Design Office — an examiner may raise a formal objection requiring reclassification, adding months to the registration timeline.
Official Resource: Visit IP India — the Design Office in Kolkata operates under the Office of the CGPDTM.