Design Conclave 2026: Design as a Strategic Business Asset

0001Ms. Nishtha Sharma, Research and Programme Coordinator, CIIPC participated as a panellist at the second edition of the Design Conclave 2026, which brought together perspectives from brand strategy, design entrepreneurship and intellectual property policy to examine the strategic significance of design in contemporary business.

0002The panel, titled “Design as a Strategic Business Asset: Building IP Portfolios in Design-Driven Industries,” explored how design contributes to business value and market positioning, and how businesses can build, structure and commercially leverage design-focused intellectual property portfolios. The discussion also considered when businesses should seek design protection, the potential for monetising design rights, practical challenges in enforcement, the adequacy of existing enforcement mechanisms, and the future of design protection in digital contexts.

0003The session highlighted the importance of treating design not merely as an aesthetic feature or business expense, but as a potential source of competitive advantage that can be protected and strategically deployed through intellectual property rights.