India Joins Riyadh Design Law Treaty

India has signed the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT), a landmark agreement adopted by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This treaty aims to harmonize industrial design registration procedures globally, making processes simpler, more efficient, and accessible for applicants. After nearly two decades of negotiations, the treaty introduces innovative measures to promote equitable access to intellectual property (IP) protection and encourage growth in industrial design sectors.

About the Riyadh Design Law Treaty

• Adopted after nearly 20 years of negotiations by WIPO member states.
• Aims to standardize procedural frameworks for industrial design registration worldwide.
• Enhances accessibility and efficiency for design applicants across jurisdictions.

Provisions and Benefits

• Relaxed Time Limits: Allows more flexibility in filing deadlines.
• Reinstatement of Lost Rights: Provides mechanisms to recover rights that may have lapsed.
• Priority Claims: Applicants can correct or add priority claims during the registration process.
• Simplified Procedures: Streamlines the recording of assignments and licenses.
• Multiple Design Applications: Enables filing of multiple designs within a single application.
• Electronic Systems: Promotes the adoption of electronic industrial design systems.
• Document Exchange: Facilitates the electronic exchange of priority documents between jurisdictions.

India’s Progress in Design Registrations

• Over the last decade, India has tripled its design registrations.
• Domestic filings have increased by 120% in the past two years.
• Signing the treaty reinforces India’s commitment to inclusive growth in IP protection.

About WIPO

• A specialized UN agency with over 190 member states.
• Promotes innovation and creativity through the protection of intellectual property.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT) signed by India
Purpose	Harmonizing industrial design registration procedures across member states Adopting Body World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Key Provisions	– Relaxed time limits – Reinstatement of lost rights – Simplified recording of assignments/licenses – Multiple designs in one application – Promotion of electronic filing systems
India’s Role	– Signed the treaty, reaffirming commitment to equitable IP protection – Tripled design registrations in the last decade – Domestic filings increased by 120% in two years
Significance	Enhances efficiency, accessibility, and global cooperation in design protection
WIPO Overview	– Over 190 member states – Focuses on promoting IP to foster innovation and creativity