Rules 32-37 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rules 32 to 37 are the procedure for recording a change in who owns or holds an interest in a registered design: an assignment, a transmission, a licence or a mortgage. They name the forms (Forms 10 to 13), say what the application must contain and what documents of title must be produced, give the wording of the Register entry, and deal with documents not otherwise provided for. They put into practice section 30 of the Designs Act, 2000. If you buy, license or take security over a registered design, our legal consultation team can prepare the papers.
A document under section 30(3) is registered on Form 10. An entry of a subsequent proprietor, mortgage or licence is applied for on Form 11, 12 or 13 with the name, address, nationality and instrument of the claimant. The assignment or other document is produced in original or notarially certified true copy with the application. The Register entry follows the printed form of rule 36, and a notification of any other document needs an attested copy under rule 37.
Source note
Rules 32 to 37 are read as notified in 2001; the Designs (Amendment) Rules, 2021 (G.S.R. 45(E)) did not change them, but substituted the First Schedule with the fees for Forms 10 to 13. The 2014 amendment (G.S.R. 925(E)) is not in the sources consulted, and later amendments should be checked. The rules carry out section 30 of the Designs Act, 2000. For the contracts themselves, see our drafts on the design assignment deed and the design licence agreement.
Rule 32: registration of documents under section 30(3)
"An application referred to in sub-section (3) of section 30 shall be made in Form- 10." Form 10 is the "Application for registration of a document in the Register Design". As per the Schedule as substituted in 2021 (entry 11), the fee is Rs 500 for one design and Rs 200 for each additional design in the first column (natural persons, startups, small entities), and Rs 2000 and Rs 800 in the second column (others).
Rule 33: subsequent proprietorship
"An application referred to in sub-section (1) or (2) of the section 30 shall be made to the Controller in Form 11 or 12 or 13 as the case may be."
| Form | Title | Fee entry in the 2021 Schedule | One design: first / second column | Each additional design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | registration of a document, s.30(3) | 11 | Rs 500 / Rs 2000 | Rs 200 / Rs 800 |
| 11 | entry of name of proprietor or part proprietor, s.30 | 12 | Rs 500 / Rs 2000 | Rs 200 / Rs 800 |
| 12 | entry of mortgage or licence, s.30 | 13 | Rs 500 / Rs 2000 | Rs 200 / Rs 800 |
| 13 | entry of notification of a document, s.30 and rule 37 | 14 | Rs 500 / Rs 2000 | Rs 200 / Rs 800 |
These are as per the Schedule as substituted in 2021; check the current Schedule before paying.
Rule 34: particulars in the application
"An application under rule 33 shall contain the name, address and nationality of the person claiming to be entitled, together with full particulars of the instrument, if any, under which he claims." So the application states who is claiming (name, address, nationality) and the instrument relied on, such as the deed, with its details. "If any" recognises that a claim may arise without an instrument.
Rule 35: documents of title and other proof
"Every assignment, and every other document containing, giving effect to or being evidence of the transmission of copyright in a registered design or affecting the proprietorship thereof or creating an interest therein as claimed in application under rule 33 shall unless the Controller otherwise directs, be presented to him either in original, or notarially certified true copy together with the application and he may call for such other proof of title or written consent as he may require for his satisfaction."
Proviso: "in the case of a document which is a public document, an official or certified copy thereof may be presented."
- What: every assignment and every other document giving effect to, or evidencing, a transmission of copyright, or affecting proprietorship, or creating an interest.
- How: original or notarially certified true copy, with the application.
- Controller's power: "unless the Controller otherwise directs", and he may call for other proof of title or written consent.
- Public documents: an official or certified copy may be presented.
Rule 36: form of entry
The entry in the Register on request "shall be in the following form":
"In pursuance of an application received on the [...] Registered as: Proprietors / Licensees / Mortgagees etc. By virtue of: Assignment / Licence / Mortgage deed etc. dated ____ and made between ____ of the one part and ____ of the other part."
Drafting slip: rule 36 refers to a request "under rule 34", while the application is made under rule 33 and its contents are set by rule 34. Read it as the application under rule 33. The entry records the date of receipt of the application, the capacity in which the person is registered (proprietor, licensee, mortgagee or other), the kind of document, its date and the parties.
Rule 37: entry of notification of documents
"An application for entry in the Register of Design of notification of any document (not already provided for), purporting to affect the proprietorship of a registered design, shall be accompanied by an attested copy of the document, the accuracy of such copy being certified as the Controller may direct, and the original or notarially certified true copy of the document shall at the same time be produced and left at the Office if required for further verification."
This is the residual rule, for documents "not already provided for", using Form 13. The application carries an attested copy certified as the Controller directs; the original or notarially certified true copy is produced and left at the Office if required for verification.
Illustrations (invented)
Assignment. Nila Designs LLP assigns a registered design for a wall clock to Horizon Decor Pvt. Ltd. Horizon applies in the proper form with its name, address and nationality, and the particulars of the assignment deed, presenting the original deed. The entry reads "Registered as Proprietors, by virtue of Assignment dated ... made between Nila Designs LLP of the one part and Horizon Decor Pvt. Ltd. of the other part".
Licence for three designs. Aarna Handloom licenses three registered designs to a retailer. Under entry 13 the fee is for one design plus each additional design: Rs 500 for the first and Rs 200 for each of the other two in the first column, if Aarna is eligible for it; Rs 2000 and Rs 800 each otherwise.
What the rules do not say
- They do not give a time limit for these applications; the Act's section 30(3) provides one.
- They do not say what the Controller does if the documents are not produced.
- They do not say that an unregistered document is ineffective; that is for the Act.
Need help recording a design transaction?
An unrecorded assignment or licence can leave you without proof of title when you need it. Our legal consultation team can review the document, choose the right form and apply for the entry.
Key takeaways
- Form 10 registers a document under section 30(3); Forms 11, 12 and 13 cover subsequent proprietorship, mortgage or licence, and notification of other documents.
- The application states name, address, nationality and the instrument relied on.
- Originals or notarially certified true copies go with the application; public documents may be official or certified copies.
- The Register entry follows the form in rule 36.
- Fees are per design, with a lower sum for each additional design.
- The 2014 amendment is not in the sources consulted; check later amendments.
Read next
- Rules 30-31: registering designs and alteration of address
- Rules 38-40: inspection of register, rectification and opposition
- Design assignment deed: draft template
- Design licence agreement: draft template
Disclaimer: Based on the Designs Rules, 2001 as notified and the Designs (Amendment) Rules, 2021, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Other amendments may apply; fees and forms change from time to time. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.