Design Rights are an important part of an organisations’ IP portfolio as they protect the appearance of a product, including its shape, colour, texture and ornamentation.
There are several different types of design right, each offering different levels of protection, but early identification and registration is advisable to gain the most comprehensive level of protection.
We will advise you on the protection and enforcement of designs nationally and internationally using all manner of registered and unregistered protection available. Our advice in this complex area is informed by detailed knowledge of the formalities and technical provisions, as well as experience successfully enforcing design protection in the Courts.
We currently advise a wide range of clients, from small UK businesses to leading international industrial corporations and from luxury one off designs, to artistic and functional mass produced articles. Our expertise includes:
- Advising on and obtaining UK and EU registered design protection
- Implementing international registered design protection programmes and managing design portfolios
- Disputes and issues related to disputes, including registered and unregistered design infringement, validity, ownership and licensing
- Commercialisation of designs
As part of our IP in a Pod podcast series, the team have discussed both EU and UK Design Rights and the impact of Brexit on these rights. Part 1 starts the discussion by looking at EU rights, followed by an exploration of UK rights in Part 2. Do not hesitate to contact a member of your team if you have any queries.
Meet the team
- Call Nick +44 (0)20 7438 2294
- Email Nick
- London office
- Call Mark +971 4 246 1921
- Email Mark
- Dubai office
- Call Charlotte +44 (0)20 7203 5105
- Email Charlotte
- London office
- Call Olivia +44 (0)20 7427 6532
- Email Olivia
- London office
- Call Caroline +44 (0)20 7203 5381
- Email Caroline
- London office
- Call Lara + 971 4 246 1920
- Email Lara
- Dubai office
- Call Peter +44 (0)20 7427 6754
- Email Peter
- London office
Our thinking
Nick White
Nick White writes for Sports Business on the new IP laws to help protect Fifa World Cup rights
How will Fifa’s IP rights be protected?
Olivia Gray
Joint and several liability for IP infringement - Directors beware
Olivia takes an in-depth look at the recent Lifestyle Equities v Ahmed case in the Court of Appeal
Charlotte Duly
Brexit: Trade Marks and Designs
Charlotte outlines all you need to know before the next post-Brexit deadline on trade marks and designs
Charlotte Duly
Brexit and intellectual property: Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and
Charlotte looks at where else trade mark and design protection may be required following Brexit.
Mary Bagnall
Diversification of landed estates – a trade mark lawyer’s advice...
Mary looks at the diversification of landed estates and offers her expert advice from a trade mark perspective
Charlotte Duly
Brexit and Intellectual Property: one month on
Charlotte looks at the impact of Brexit on intellectual property one month on
Charlotte Duly
IP in a Pod: Social Media
What IP issues surround the use and protection of hashtags, memes, GIFs and stickers?
Nick White
Burger King, Stevenage and my FIFA confusion
Peter Byrd
IP in a Pod: Designs and design rights - part 2 (UK rights)
The second part of our two-part episode on designs and design rights.
Rahim Hirji
US Court 'swipes left' on dating app dispute
Charlotte Pender
Remote hearings in the COVID-19 era: another new normal?
Charlotte and Simon look at remote hearings in the COVID-19 era