Gopinath and Sandesh have co-authored an article titled “Shaping the Next Decade: Industrial Design Footprint in India”, published on Lexology on February 11, 2026.
The article explores the transformative journey of industrial design protection in India, highlighting quantitative growth in design filings, sectoral diversification, policy and administrative reforms, and emerging economic value. It provides insights into how design rights have evolved from traditional manufacturing contexts to become strategic assets across sectors such as fashion, consumer electronics, automobiles, and lifestyle brands.
Additionally, the authors discuss recent judicial developments, global best practices, and proposed legislative changes that could broaden design protection to emerging virtual and digital interfaces.
Drawing on market trends and innovation ecosystem shifts, the article offers a nuanced perspective on the role of industrial design rights in India’s broader intellectual property landscape and future competitiveness.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Gopinath AS
Gopinath AS is a Partner with K&S Partners and has over 13 years of experience in the mechanical engineering & design domains.
- gopinath@knspartners.com
Sandesh Sastry
Sandesh Kudur Sastry is a Partner with K&S Partners, bringing over 9 years of experience in the mechanical and design domains.
- sandesh.sastry@knspartners.com