Section 483 IPC: Counterfeiting a property mark used by another

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 483 IPC at a Glance

Section 483 IPC deals with counterfeiting a property mark used by another. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 347(1) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘCompoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 347(1) →

Section 483 IPC Bare Act Text

483. Counterfeiting a property mark used by another

Whoever counterfeits any property mark used by any other person shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 483, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 483 IPC in Simple Words

Section 483 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes counterfeiting a property mark used by any other person. A property mark is a mark denoting that movable property belongs to a particular person, as defined in Section 479 IPC.

Counterfeiting means causing one thing to resemble another intending to practise deception or knowing deception is likely, as defined in Section 28 IPC. The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

The offence is non-cognizable and bailable, triable by any Magistrate, and compoundable under Section 320(1) CrPC by the person to whom loss or injury is caused.

Ingredients of Section 483 IPC

  • A property mark was used by another person to denote that movable property belongs to that person
  • The accused counterfeited that property mark by causing a mark to resemble it
  • The accused intended by that resemblance to practise deception or knew it to be likely that deception would thereby be practised

Punishment Under Section 483 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

Fine

The court may impose a fine alone, or fine in addition to imprisonment. The statute specifies no upper limit.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘCompoundable ⓘ🏛️ Any Magistrate ⓘ

Counterfeiting a property mark used by another person carries imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or fine, or both.

Example of Section 483 IPC

In 2017, in Mysuru, Ananya wove silk rolls and printed the border of every roll with a distinctive swan emblem as her property mark to show that the silk belonged to her. Suresh, a rival weaver in the same town, engraved a closely matching swan emblem onto a rubber die and impressed it on his own inferior silk rolls, intending by the resemblance to deceive cloth merchants into believing that the rolls belonged to Ananya. By making a mark resembling Ananya's property mark with intent to practise deception, Suresh counterfeited a property mark used by another person. Suresh is punishable under Section 483 IPC.

When Section 483 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The copied design or symbol is merely decorative and is not used to indicate that movable property belongs to a specific person.
  • The property mark reproduced by the accused is his own mark and not one used by another person.
  • The similarity between the two marks is accidental, and the person making the mark neither intended to deceive anyone nor knew that deception was likely.
  • The person uses a mark belonging to another with that owner's full authority to mark the owner's own goods.

Section 483 IPC in the BNS

Section 483 IPC is now covered under Section 347(1) BNS.

Section 483 IPC corresponds to Section 347(1) BNS, with identical wording and the same punishment. In the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 483 IPC and Section 484 IPC are combined into Section 347(1) BNS and Section 347(2) BNS.

View detailed comparison (IPC 483 vs BNS 347(1)) →

FAQs on Section 483 IPC

What does Section 483 IPC punish?▼

Section 483 IPC punishes counterfeiting any property mark used by any other person to denote ownership of movable property.

What is the punishment prescribed under Section 483 IPC?▼

The court may award imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or fine, or both.

Does Section 483 IPC require proof of intention to deceive?▼

The section uses the word counterfeit, which requires intending by the resemblance to practise deception or knowing that deception is likely under Section 28 IPC.

Under Section 483 IPC, must the counterfeit property mark be an exact copy?▼

No. Explanation 1 to Section 28 IPC provides that it is not essential to counterfeiting that the imitation should be exact.

Is Section 483 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼

Section 483 IPC is classified as bailable and non-cognizable under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Can an offence under Section 483 IPC be compounded?▼

Yes. Under Section 320(1) CrPC, the offence may be compounded without the permission of the court by the person to whom loss or injury is caused.

Where is Section 483 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It is placed in Section 347(1) BNS, in Chapter XVIII, Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·