Chapter IV - Industrial and International Exhibitions
Section 21
Section 21: Provisions as to exhibitions
A qualifying notified exhibition or related disclosure need not bar registration if prior notice is given and application follows within six months.
On this page
Need advice on Section 21?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Designs Act, 2000 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
The exhibition of a design, or of any article to which a design is applied, at an industrial or other exhibition to which the provisions of this section have been extended by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette, or the publication of a description of the design, during or after the period of the holding of the exhibition, or the exhibition of the design or the article or the publication of a description of the design by any person elsewhere during or after the period of the holding of the exhibition, without the privity or consent of the proprietor, shall not prevent the design from being registered or invalidate the registration thereof:
Provided that—
(a) the exhibitor exhibiting the design or article, or publishing a description of the design, gives to the Controller previous notice in the prescribed form; and
(b) the application for registration is made within six months from the date of first exhibiting the design or article or publishing a description of the design.
Introduction
Section 21 gives a narrow exhibition-related path that can preserve registration despite specified disclosure. It requires an exhibition covered by Government notification, previous notice in the prescribed form and application within six months of first exhibition or publication.
Key takeaways
Statutory scope
Section 21 gives a narrow exhibition-related path that can preserve registration despite specified disclosure. It requires an exhibition covered by Government notification, previous notice in the prescribed form and application within six months of first exhibition or publication.
What to check
Confirm the exhibition is covered by a Central Government Gazette notification.
Apply the section
Confirm the exhibition is covered by a Central Government Gazette notification.
Give previous notice to the Controller in the prescribed form and diary the six-month filing window from first exhibition or publication.
Illustration
A maker planning to show a new product design at a notified exhibition should send the prescribed prior notice and file within six months of the first display to seek this statutory protection.
Practical checklist
Do
- Check the Gazette notification for the exhibition.
- Keep proof of prior notice and the first public display date.
Avoid
- Do not treat the January 2026 proposal for a wider grace period as an operative amendment.
Frequently asked questions
Is every exhibition covered?
No. Section 21 requires the provision to be extended to that exhibition by Central Government notification.
What is the filing period in the operative section?
The application must be made within six months from first exhibiting the design or article or publishing its description.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026