As print on demand businesses continue to grow in India, it’s important to understand the legal aspects of the industry. From taxes to intellectual property laws, there are several legal considerations that businesses need to take into account in order to operate legally and successfully. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the legal landscape of print on demand in India and provide tips on how to navigate it.

Taxes

When it comes to taxes, it can get complicated for print on demand businesses. In India, businesses need to obtain a Goods and Services Tax (GST) number to operate legally. This tax is a value-added tax that is levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption. The GST number is a unique 15-digit code that identifies a business and its tax details.

If you’re a print on demand business in India, it’s important to obtain a GST number as soon as possible to avoid any legal complications. Failure to do so could result in penalties and fines, which can be detrimental to your business. Fortunately, obtaining a GST number is relatively straightforward. You can register online through the GST portal or get assistance from a GST practitioner.

At Merch Factory, we understand how challenging it can be for businesses to navigate the tax system in India. That’s why we offer support to our merchants in obtaining a GST number. Merchants can reach out to our support team via the in-app live chat to get assistance with obtaining a GST number.

Intellectual Property Laws

Intellectual property laws are another important consideration for print on demand businesses. These laws protect the exclusive rights of creators and owners of original works, including designs and artwork. In India, there are several laws in place that protect intellectual property, including the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Trademarks Act, 1999.

As a print on demand business, it’s important to ensure that your designs and artwork do not infringe on any intellectual property rights. This means that you need to be careful when selecting designs to print and sell on your platform. Using copyrighted or trademarked designs without permission can result in legal action, which can be costly for your business.

At Merch Factory, we take intellectual property laws seriously. We have strict guidelines in place for the designs that can be printed on our platform. Our design team reviews each design before it is approved for printing, ensuring that it meets our guidelines and complies with intellectual property laws.

Design Tools

Creating designs that comply with legal requirements can be challenging, especially for businesses that are just starting out. That’s why Merch Factory provides design tools like Canva Pro to merchants upon request or for high-volume orders. Canva is a user-friendly design tool that allows businesses to create professional-looking designs without the need for extensive design experience. By using design tools like Canva, print on demand businesses can create designs that comply with legal requirements and stand out from the competition.

In conclusion, navigating the legal aspects of print on demand in India can be challenging, but it’s important for businesses to understand the legal landscape in order to operate legally and successfully. By obtaining a GST number, complying with intellectual property laws, and using design tools like Canva, print on demand businesses can navigate the legal aspects of the industry and thrive in the Indian market.