Copyright on architectural drawings, design registration on furniture and fixtures, trademark on the practice name. Indian design studios have more IP than most realise.
Indian architecture and interior design studios — from large practices like Hafeez Contractor and Sanjay Puri Architects to boutique firms — generate substantial IP every project. Architectural drawings carry copyright as artistic works under Section 13(1)(b) of the Copyright Act. Bespoke furniture and fixtures designed for projects are registrable designs under the Designs Act. The practice name carries trademark value. The methodology — proprietary design systems, BIM templates, materials databases — can be protected as trade secret. And every commissioned project raises Section 17(c) ownership questions that are routinely misunderstood by both architects and clients.
This guide covers what Indian architects and designers can and should protect, the Section 17(c) commission default, design registration on furniture and fixtures, and the trademark layer for the practice itself.
Three filings cover most of the IP risk on day one. Each is a standalone service and each links to a deeper walkthrough.
Section 13(1)(b) of the Copyright Act protects 'artistic works' which include drawings (including a diagram, map, chart or plan), and architectural works of art. Architectural drawings, plans, elevations and sections are protected as artistic works.
The protection covers the drawings themselves and — to some extent — the resulting building. Section 14(c) gives the copyright owner the right to reproduce the work in any material form including the right to depict it in two dimensions of a three-dimensional work and vice versa. Constructing a building from another architect's plans without permission can be copyright infringement.
The strength of architectural copyright is the drawings. The building itself, once constructed, is harder to enforce against — Indian courts have applied a 'merger doctrine' in functional architecture, recognising that aesthetic and functional elements often cannot be separated.
For architectural commissions, Section 17(c) of the Copyright Act applies. The commissioning client is the first owner of the copyright unless the contract says otherwise. This is widely misunderstood.
The default impacts the architect's portfolio rights, ability to publish the project, ability to use design elements in future projects, and ability to license the design to third parties. To preserve these rights, the architect's commission agreement must:
Where the practice designs bespoke furniture, fixtures, lighting elements or other manufactured items for projects, design registration under the Designs Act 2000 is the appropriate filing. Class 06 (furnishing) and Class 26 (lighting apparatus) cover most architectural-design output. The 10+5-year protection prevents close-imitation reproduction by other manufacturers.
For studio-designed lines that may be sold beyond the original commission — limited-edition furniture, lighting collections — design registration converts the design from a one-off project deliverable into a continuing IP asset.
Architecture and interior design practices operate primarily under Class 42 (architectural services, design consultancy). Add Class 37 (construction and supervision services) where the practice handles execution, Class 41 (educational services) where the practice runs workshops or publications, Class 35 (advertising and business management) for any commercial-property arm.
Indian architectural practices increasingly operate as brand businesses — the name is the principal commercial asset. Trademark registration on the practice name, the logo and any signature project sub-brands is operational, not optional.
Proprietary design methodologies, BIM templates, materials databases, vendor relationships and project-management systems are protectable as trade secrets through contract. Employment agreements with architects and interns should include the IP and confidentiality clauses discussed in employment IP clauses. Departing architects who take templates and client lists are a recurring exposure for Indian design studios.
Practice owner figuring out what to register, what to reserve in commission contracts, what to license? Send us the practice profile and recent commission agreement — we'll map the IP layers.
WhatsApp our team →By default under Section 17(c) of the Copyright Act, the commissioning client is the first owner of the copyright, unless the contract says otherwise. To preserve portfolio, publication and reuse rights, the architect's commission agreement must explicitly reserve these rights to the architect.
Yes, under the Designs Act 2000. Class 06 (furnishing) and Class 26 (lighting apparatus) cover most architectural-design output. The 10+5-year protection prevents close-imitation reproduction, converting a one-off project deliverable into a continuing IP asset.
Class 42 (architectural services, design consultancy) is primary. Add Class 37 for construction and supervision services, Class 41 for educational and publication activities, Class 35 for any commercial-property or advisory arm of the practice.
Yes, under Section 57 of the Copyright Act. The architect retains the right of paternity (to be credited) and integrity (to restrain distortions of the design) even after the copyright has been assigned to the commissioning client. The rights cannot be assigned away.