Industrial Designs Law in Pakistan
Here’s a detailed overview of Industrial Designs Law in Pakistan:
🔹 Legal Framework
Primary Legislation:
Industrial designs in Pakistan are governed by the Industrial Designs Ordinance, 2000.
The Ordinance is administered by the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO Pakistan), which falls under the Ministry of Commerce.
International Agreements:
Pakistan is a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
It is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Pakistan is not a member of the Hague Agreement on international design registration.
Pakistan complies with the TRIPS Agreement through the WTO.
🔹 What Can Be Protected
An industrial design protects the appearance of a product — including lines, contours, colors, shape, texture, or materials.
Must be new and original (not previously disclosed).
Functional features or designs solely dictated by technical function are not protected.
🔹 Registration Process
Application:
Applications are submitted to IPO Pakistan.
Required documents include:
Completed application form.
Representations of the design (drawings/photos).
Statement of novelty and originality.
Payment of fees.
Examination:
IPO conducts a formal examination for completeness.
No substantive examination on novelty or originality is conducted.
Publication:
Registered designs are published in the IPO Gazette.
Duration:
Initial protection is for 10 years from the filing date.
Protection is not renewable beyond 10 years.
🔹 Rights and Enforcement
The registered owner has the exclusive right to use, make, sell, or license the design.
Remedies for infringement include injunctions, damages, and seizure of infringing goods.
Enforcement is through civil courts and IP tribunals.
🔹 Unregistered Designs
Pakistan does not provide protection for unregistered designs.
Protection arises only through registration.
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