India is the anchor of any subcontinent IP strategy — a first-to-file jurisdiction with a modernising registry system, an active enforcement bench, and membership of the major international treaties. We advise Indian and international clients across the full lifecycle of protection, prosecution, and enforcement.
How IP protection works in India
India protects intellectual property through a set of dedicated statutes and registries administered by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), together with the Copyright Office.
- Patents are governed by the Patents Act, 1970. India is a PCT contracting state, so applicants may enter the Indian national phase from an international application, or file directly. Examination is request-based, and both pre-grant and post-grant opposition are available.
- Trademarks are governed by the Trade Marks Act, 1999. India is a member of the Madrid Protocol, so marks may be extended to India through an international registration or filed nationally. India operates a first-to-file system with provision for well-known marks.
- Industrial designs are governed by the Designs Act, 2000, protecting the visual features of an article that are new and original.
- Copyright is governed by the Copyright Act, 1957. Protection is automatic on creation; registration is optional but useful as evidence of ownership.
Enforcement
Rights are enforced before the commercial and High Courts, with interim
injunctions playing a central role in IP disputes. Border enforcement is
available through customs recordal, and criminal remedies exist for trademark
and copyright infringement. Domain disputes concerning .in names are resolved
under the INDRP.
Working with us in India
We act as a single point of contact for clients filing and enforcing rights in India, coordinating searches, prosecution, oppositions, renewals, and litigation, and linking Indian strategy to the wider subcontinent and international portfolio.