It’s a story of a dream home (sapano ka ghar). Although this story or the seed of this dream started from my childhood. I have been raised in a family of eight people: my mom dad and 5 siblings. We all used to live in an apartment in Deeg, a small city near Agra. Moreover, we will dive in the knowledge of this topic intellectual properties in my dream house.
In the apartment we all used to live only has two rooms, one kitchen and one bathroom. One room is mainly used as a hall for the purpose of welcoming guests into the house. That leaves us with only one room where our whole family used to live. One of my siblings was very small; he used to sleep with Mom and Dad, and the other four siblings used to live with me in the same room where we all used to play, fight, study and do everything.
At that moment, it’s my dream and mission to build The House of My Dream. Now after these years of wait me and my best friend has finally found The Place in our dream neighbourhood that is two big plots side by side, makes it so much easier to visit each other whenever we want.
Soon after looking into the property, we managed to buy the plots with all the legal paperwork done by my lawyer who is also my best friend with whom I have purchased the property.
1. THE COPYRIGHT ACT, 1957:
As we embarked on the journey of designing our dream home, one of the most exciting yet overwhelming tasks was the blueprint of the house and also the elevation design for that, we worked closely with our architect to develop a custom blueprint and elevation, designed entirely to our vision something that reflects our personal taste.
This blueprint, which includes the floor plan, room layout, and along with the elevation, is a result of creative and technical planning. As such, it qualifies as an “artistic work” under Section 2(c) of the Copyright Act, 1957.
According to Indian copyright law, the moment an original work like this is created the architect or client gains automatic copyright protection. So, any unauthorised use by someone else other than the original owner would amount to copyright infringement.
2. THE TRADEMARK ACT, 1999:
As part of our interior planning process, we visited several tile showrooms across the city. To our surprise, we were overwhelmed by the vast range of options available in tiles differing not just in colours and patterns, but also in shape and material. Each brand showcased something unique. While some tiles were known for their strength and durability, others, though visually appearing stronger and beautiful, were relatively fragile and less reliable in terms of long-term quality.
After comparing various samples and considering both aesthetics and durability, we decided to go with tiles manufactured by the renowned brand ‘Kajaria’. Kajaria has built a strong reputation over the years for producing high-quality, long-lasting tiles, and their tagline “The quality speaks for itself” truly aligns with our experience.
In the process, we also came across other reputed companies like Somany Ceramics and Johnson Tiles, each of them has established a strong brand identity. A common feature among these top brands is that their logos are printed on the reverse side of every tile, and also prominently displayed on the packaging. This branding serves as a mark of authenticity and trust.
From an Intellectual Property Rights perspective, this is a clear example of protection under the Trademarks Act, 1999. The name, logo, tagline, and even specific branding elements used by these companies are all protected trademarks. These trademarks not only help distinguish one company’s products from another’s in a competitive market but also play a vital role in maintaining the goodwill and reputation the company has earned among consumers.
Moreover, trademarks are essential in preventing duplicating and misuse of a well-established brand. If a local manufacturer attempts to falsely use the name or similar logo of Kajaria, for instance, it will amount to trademark infringement and the legal protections under the Trademarks Act would allow Kajaria to take action to protect its brand.
Thus, our choice of tiles was not just based on looks or price, but also on the credibility that the brand carrieswith itself, assuring us that we are investing in a product that is trusted, original, and protected under Indian IPR laws.
After finalizing the customized blueprint and elevation of our house protected under copyright and selecting high-quality, trademarked tiles from a trusted brand like Kajaria, we moved to another vital part of the home-building journey: choosing the right fans and lighting. In terms of durability for long-term use, energy efficiency to reduce electricity bills, and of course a design that elevates the aesthetic vibe of every room.
We explored fans and lights from several companies, but our attention was drawn to Havells, a name known for its quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. From ceiling fans to smart LED panel lights and decorative chandeliers, every product reflected the premium quality.
The brand name “Havells”, along with its logo, taglines, and different branding style, is protected under the Trademarks Act, 1999. This Act ensure that no other company can use the Havells brand name or similar trademarks to mislead customers, So the company’s reputation and goodwill remain legally intact. And, the consumers like us can confidently choose products, knowing they are backed by a protected brand.
In taps and showerheads, we specifically chose fittings from Jaquar®, a brand known not just for its appearance, but for durability, water-saving technology, and customer service. The brand name and logo printed on every product, packaging box, and even on the handles themselves, is not just a mark of identity, it is a registered trademark protected under the Trademarks Act, 1999. The Act ensures protection of the name, logo, and tagline of the brand. The brand’s reputation, consumer trust, and goodwill remain protected.
3. THE DESIGNS ACT, 2000:
Havells is also stood out for its design innovation like for instance the ceiling fans with wooden blade, LED lights in geometric patterns, & floral designs that blend beautifully into modern interiors. These external visual features are protected under the Designs Act, 2000 as Industrial Designs. The company has exclusive rights over these designs, ensures that no one can copy the unique physical appearance of its fans or lights.
For taps and shower the external visual features the shape, configuration, and ornamentation are protected under the Designs Act, 2000 as Industrial Designs. As the taps have curved spouts, or black finishes, or vintage gold polish. This Design protection ensures that no competitor can copy the look of these taps or showers without permission. Consumers benefit from unique and elegant designs exclusive to that brand.
4. THE PATENTS ACT, 1970:
The company having BLDC technology in ceiling fans that ensure silent operation, to smart enabled fans and lights that can be operated via mobile apps or voice assistants or remote these products are often patented under the Patents Act, 1970. Some patented features include motion-sensor, fans with auto-regulation of speed based on room temperature, smart mood lighting systems that change colour based on time of day. Patents protect these functional innovations, granting exclusive rights to the company to use the invention themselves, also prevent others from copying the mechanism or feature.
As we moved further into completing the finer details of our home, it was finally time to design the bathrooms spaces where comfort and hygiene go hand in hand. We explored products from renowned sanitaryware and looked into companies like Jaquar, Kohler, Hindware, and Grohe, and we were amazed at how much innovation goes into something as simple as a tap or showerhead. We are getting amazed by each passing day like knowing that these everyday products can carry the weight of Intellectual Property protection.
The Modern tap and shower fittings has some features like auto-closing taps to prevent water wastage. Thermostatic mixers that balance hot and cold water perfectly. Touch-free that is sensor-based systems for hygiene. These features involve technical innovation, often protected under the Patents Act, 1970.
This Act protects exclusive rights to the inventor and company to use the technology. Legal protection against others making, selling, or using the same invention without consent.
5. THE GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS OF GOODS ACT, 1999:
After the structure was completed, tiles chosen, lights installed, and bathrooms made functional it was finally time to add soul to the space: the furniture, art, and cultural essence that truly turns a house into a home. For this final stage, we intentionally chose traditional, artworks and handicrafts, many of which are protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Like for the main hall, we selected exquisite Mysore Traditional Paintings known for their rich colours, gold foil detailing, and mythological themes. Each painting are handmade by local artisans from Karnataka, reflected elegance and heritage. These paintings are protected by a GI tag, which confirms their origin from Mysore, Karnataka. Legally ensures that only genuine artisans from that region can label their art as “Mysore Painting”.
And for our dining area and lounge, we chose Sankheda furniture from Gujarat beautifully built wooden chairs and tables with vibrant, hand-painted patterns and bold colours. Made using old techniques passed through generations, these pieces added traditional charm and vibrancy to our space.
This furniture are protected under Geographical Indications, ensures the exclusive right of Sankheda artisans from the region of Gujarat to use the name.Legal protection against the mass manufacturers who are it is wrongly and falsely.
Conclusion
Building a home is not just about bricks it is about creativity, innovation, tradition, and that small personal touch of ours. Through every step of our journey from choosing branded tiles, to selecting GI-tagged artworks and customized blueprints we discovered how deeply Intellectual Property Rights are woven into the very fabric of our daily lives. This all about Intellectual properties in my dream house.
This experience has not only given us a home filled with beauty and meaning but also a deeper appreciation for the laws that protect originality, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Truly, understanding IPR has turned our dream home into a space where ideas are valued, and creators are respected.
Author
Nimisha Singh Kushwah, 3rd B.A.LLB, Institute of Law, Jiwaji University, Gwalior
