Sections 83 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.
These six sections cover who a proprietor or applicant can use to deal with the Registry, how documents reach them and how the public sees the register. Section 83 fixes the address for service; section 84 lists three kinds of agent; section 85 protects a proprietor whose agent registers the design in the agent's own name; sections 86 and 87 deal with indexes, inspection and certified copies; section 88 requires an annual report to Parliament.
This article reflects the Act as amended up to 3 October 2026 (the Act has not been amended since it was enacted in 2000). Check sicldr.gov.in for later notifications. Sections 83 to 88 have been in force since 1 May 2011. For a portfolio managed through agents, an IP portfolio management review of the authorisations is a sensible first check.
The address for service in an application or notice of opposition is deemed the address of the applicant or opponent, and documents can be served by leaving them at, or posting them to, that address. Acts before the Registrar (other than making an affidavit) can be done by a legal practitioner, a registered layout-design agent, or a person in the sole and regular employment of the principal. If an agent registers the design without authority in his own name, the proprietor may oppose, seek cancellation or rectification within three years of becoming aware. The register and related documents are open to public inspection, and certified copies can be obtained on payment of fees.
Section 83: address for service
"An address for service stated in an application or notice of opposition shall, for the purposes of the application or notice of opposition, be deemed to be the address of the applicant or opponent, as the case may be, and all documents in relation to the application or notice of opposition may be served by leaving them at or sending them by post to the address for service of the applicant or opponent."
Two features. The address is deemed to be the party's address for the purposes of that application or notice. And service is by leaving documents at the address or posting them there. A start-up that names a wrong or unattended address bears the risk of notices served on it. The Rules say more on stating the address, including for parties with no business in India; see Rules 16 to 20.
Section 84: agents
"Where, by or under this Act, any act, other then the making of an affidavit, is required to be done before the Registrar by any person, the act may, subject to the rules made in this behalf, be done, instead of by that person himself, by a person duly authorised in the prescribed manner, who is":
| Clause | Who |
|---|---|
| 84(a) | A legal practitioner |
| 84(b) | A person registered in the prescribed manner as a layout-design agent |
| 84(c) | A person in the sole and regular employment of the principal |
The exclusion is notable: an affidavit must be made by the person himself, though an agent can do other acts. The authorisation is made in the prescribed manner; Rule 20 provides Form LD-32. The rules for the register of agents are in the later Rules articles: Rules 93 to 99.
Section 85: registration by an agent without authority
"If an agent or a representative of the proprietor of a registered layout-design, without authority uses or attempts to register or registers the layout-design in his own name, the proprietor shall be entitled to oppose the registration applied for or secure its cancellation or rectification of the register so as to bring him as the registered proprietor of the said layout-design by assignment in his favour."
The proviso: "such action shall be taken within three years of the registered proprietor of the layout-design becoming aware of the conduct of the agent or representative." The period runs from awareness, not from the registration. The text refers to "the proprietor of a registered layout-design" as the person whose agent acts. It does not state a rule for an unregistered design, so the proprietor should check the facts with a lawyer. Do not compute the three years here.
| Remedy | When |
|---|---|
| Oppose the registration applied for | Where the agent has applied |
| Secure cancellation | Where the agent has registered |
| Rectify the register to make the proprietor registered by assignment | Same |
Section 86: indexes
Under the direction and supervision of the Registrar there shall be kept (a) an index of registered layout-designs; (b) an index of layout-designs in respect of which applications for registration are pending; (c) an index of the names of proprietors of registered layout-designs; and (d) an index of the names of registered users. Clause (b) means pending applications can be found, subject to the confidentiality given to applicants in section 25(4) and rule 22(3) on partially blocked drawings.
Section 87: public inspection and certified copies
87(1): what is open
"Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (4) of section 25", the following "shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be open to public inspection at the" Registry:
- (a) the register and any document upon which any entry in the register is based;
- (b) every notice of opposition, application for rectification before the Registrar, counter-statement, and any affidavit or document filed by the parties in any proceedings before the Registrar; and
- (c) the indexes mentioned in section 86 and such other documents as the Central Government specifies by notification.
87(2): certified copies
"Any person may, on an application to the Registrar and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, obtain a certified copy of any entry in the register or any document referred to in sub-section (1)." Rule 88 provides Form LD-22 for the application. Rules 86 and 87 cover inspection at the head office and branch offices and distribution of the journal; see Rules 86 to 92.
The effect of a certified copy in evidence is in section 80, explained in sections 78 to 82.
Section 88: report to Parliament
"The Central Government shall cause to be placed before both Houses of Parliament once a year a report respecting the execution by or under the Registrar of this Act." The Act itself gives no further detail of its content.
A worked example
A Bengaluru chip-design house hires an independent consultant to file its first application. The consultant is not a legal practitioner or a registered layout-design agent, and is not in the sole and regular employment of the house, so section 84 does not cover him acting before the Registrar; the house could instead authorise a legal practitioner on Form LD-32. Separately, the house's former distributor registers the house's registered layout in its own name without authority. Within three years of the house becoming aware, it can oppose or seek cancellation or rectification under section 85. To prove its own entries for the dispute, it applies on Form LD-22 for certified copies under section 87(2).
Need help with agents and the register?
If you are appointing an agent, checking who is entered against your layout-design or preparing certified copies, our IP portfolio management team can organise the authorisations and the filings.
Key takeaways
- The address for service is deemed the party's address; documents can be left or posted there.
- An agent can act for a principal, other than in making an affidavit, if a legal practitioner, a registered layout-design agent or a person in the principal's sole and regular employment.
- A proprietor whose agent registers the design in his own name without authority has three years from awareness to act.
- Indexes of registered designs, pending applications, proprietors and registered users are kept.
- The register and filed documents are open to inspection; certified copies are available on payment of prescribed fees.
Read next
- Sections 78 to 82: preliminary advice and evidence
- Rules 93 to 99: the register of agents
- Rules 86 to 92: inspection and certified copies
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.