Rules 86 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 86 to 92 deal with what the public and the proprietor can get from the Registry and what happens at the end of a file. Inspection (rule 86), distribution of the journal (rule 87), certified copies on Form LD-22 (rule 88), certificates for use abroad (rule 89) and destruction of old records (rule 90) are administrative. Rules 91 and 92 prescribe the High Court appeal from the Board on Form LD-35 and service of a copy on the Board.
This article reflects the Rules as amended up to G.S.R. 689(E) dated 14 September 2012 (the only amendment). Check sicldr.gov.in for later notifications. Fees are those in Schedule I as notified in 2001; the Registry's forms page lists the same amounts (checked 3 October 2026). A chip company that files abroad as well as in India can use these rules through an IP portfolio management plan that orders certificates early.
The register and listed documents are open to inspection at the head office, and a copy of the register at each branch office, on days the offices are open (rule 86). The Registrar furnishes certified copies on Form LD-22 (entry 20: Rs 1000) and may issue a certificate for use abroad stating its purpose (rule 89). Records of withdrawn, abandoned or refused applications, or removed layout-designs, may be destroyed after five years (rule 90). An appeal from the Board to the High Court is on Form LD-35 (entry 29: Rs 2000) within three months or further time the High Court allows (rule 91).
Rule 86: inspection
"The documents mentioned in sub-rule (1) of section 87 shall be available for inspection at the head office of the Registry. A copy of the register and such of the other documents mentioned in section 87, and as the Central Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be available for inspection at each branch office of the Registry. The inspection shall be made at such times on all the days on which the offices of the Registry are not closed to the public, as may be fixed by the Registrar."
| Where | What can be inspected |
|---|---|
| Head office | The documents in section 87(1): the register, documents on which entries are based, notices of opposition, rectification applications before the Registrar, counter-statements, affidavits and documents filed by parties, and the indexes |
| Branch office | A copy of the register and such other documents as the Central Government specifies |
| When | On all days the offices are open to the public, at times fixed by the Registrar |
Section 87(1) saves the confidentiality given by section 25(4); see sections 83 to 88. The rule says nothing about online inspection; the Registry's website sicldr.gov.in is the place to check what is available online.
Rule 87: distribution of the journal
"The Central Government may direct the Registrar to distribute the journal and any other document which it may consider necessary, to such places as may be fixed by the Central Government in consultation with the State Governments and notified by the Central Government from time to time in the Official Gazette." This is a power, not a duty on the Registry to supply any particular reader.
Rule 88: certified copies
"The Registrar may furnish certified copies of any entry in the register or certified copies of any document referred to in sub-section (1) of section 87 or of any decision or order of the Registrar, or give a certificate other than a certificate under sub-section (2) of section 13, as to any entry, matter or thing which he is authorised or required by the Act or these rules to make or do, upon receipt from any person of an application therefor on Form LD-22 accompanied by prescribed fee."
Schedule I, entry 20: on request for a certificate of the Registrar under "section 80 or 86" (other than a certificate under section 13(2)), Rs 1000, Form LD-22. The reference to section 86 in the entry looks like a slip for section 87, since section 86 deals with indexes while the certified-copy power is in section 87(2); the certificate power is in section 80. Read it as a fee for certified copies and certificates. A certified copy sealed by the Registrar is evidence under section 80(1); see sections 78 to 82. The duplicate certificate of registration uses Form LD-25 (rule 46(2)), not Form LD-22. Form LD-22 may be sent to the head office or the appropriate office (rule 7(2)(b)).
Rule 89: certificate for registration abroad
"Where a certificate relating to the registration of a layout-design is desired for use in obtaining registration in any territory outside India, Registrar may furnish the same. The Registrar may state in the certificate such particulars concerning the registration of the layout-design as may seem fit to him. The purpose for which the certificate is issued shall be stated therein." The rule names no form or fee of its own. A foreign filing may need such a certificate to support a claim; see the priority discussion in Rules 21 to 23 for the inbound case.
Rule 90: destruction of records
"Where an application for the registration of a layout-design has been withdrawn, abandoned or refused or a layout-design has been removed from the register, the Registrar may, at the expiration of five years after the application is withdrawn or is abandoned or is refused or after the layout-design is removed from the register, as the case may be, destroy all or any of the records relating to the application of the layout-design concerned."
The period is five years as printed and the power is discretionary ("may"). It applies to withdrawn, abandoned and refused applications and to layout-designs removed from the register; it says nothing about records of subsisting registrations. A party that may need an old file should ask for certified copies before the five years end.
Rule 91: time for appeal to the High Court
"An appeal to a High Court from any decision or order of the Appellate Board under the Act shall be made within three months from the date of such decision or order, as the case may be, or within such further time as the High Court may allow. The appeal shall be made on Form LD-35 accompanied by prescribed fee. The appeal shall contain a copy of the decision or order against which the appeal is preferred and grounds on which the appeal is preferred along with evidences, if any." Schedule I, entry 29: Rs 2000, Form LD-35.
Rule 92: copy to the Board
"A copy of every appeal to the High Court under the Act shall be served on the Appellate Board." These two rules assume a Board decision to appeal from. No notification bringing sections 32 to 53 (and 55) into force was found in the India Code record or on the Registry's notifications page (checked 3 October 2026); check the current position before relying on the appeal route in section 53; see sections 50 to 53. The Act gives no other forum for matters meant for the Board.
A worked example
A chip company wants to file in another country and needs proof of its Indian registration. It applies on Form LD-22 with the Rs 1000 fee for a certified copy of the register entry, and asks the Registrar for a certificate under rule 89, which states the purpose. A rival, seeing the entry, inspects the register at the head office. Years earlier, an unrelated application was refused; after five years the Registrar may destroy its records under rule 90, so its owner orders certified copies first.
Need help with certificates and records?
If you need certified copies, certificates for a foreign filing or a records plan across several layout-designs, our IP portfolio management team can organise it.
Key takeaways
- The register and listed documents are open to inspection at the head office; branch offices hold a copy of the register.
- Certified copies and certificates are requested on Form LD-22 (entry 20: Rs 1000).
- A certificate for use abroad states its purpose.
- Records of withdrawn, abandoned or refused applications and removed layout-designs may be destroyed five years after.
- A High Court appeal from the Board is on Form LD-35 (entry 29: Rs 2000) within three months or further time allowed, and a copy is served on the Board.
Read next
- Sections 83 to 88: indexes and inspection in the Act
- Sections 78 to 82: evidence of register entries
- Sections 50 to 53: High Court appeal in the Act
Disclaimer: Based on the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Act, 2000 (never amended; commencement as notified in 2004, 2011 and 2014) and the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Rules, 2001 as amended by G.S.R. 689(E) of 14 September 2012, as consulted on 3 October 2026. Check sicldr.gov.in for later notifications and current forms and fees. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.