Implications of the Calcutta High Court’s GUI judgment dated March 09, 2026 for design protection of GUIs in India and for the Government of India’s proposed reforms

The Government of India has been considering certain proposed reforms to the legal framework for design protection in India, inter alia, proposing the definition of “article” and “design” under the Designs Act to include non-physical forms, including GUIs, icons, graphic symbols, typefaces, augmented reality graphical user interfaces, and other virtual products provided under the Locarno classification. It proposes clarifying that a design may subsist regardless of whether it is embodied in a tangible object or materialises in a purely digital or virtual environment.

As explained hereinafter, the latest judicial pronouncement on the subject from the High Court of Calcutta may need to be considered by the Government in proceeding with the contemplated reforms. The High Court of Calcutta has found sufficient statutory support within the current Designs Act for registrability of GUIs.