Design protection is often underestimated or ignored when considering the intellectual property (IP) that exists in a product or a wider business, but it can be very important when looking to protect the original and novel appearance of a product.
Designs can be valuable assets when commercialising your products as they can be sold or licensed to third parties, or used as security for loans. Registering and/ or enforcing rights requires experience and expertise, but can provide a commercial advantage and competitive edge in the marketplace.
What do we do?
We fully understand the value that can be attached to the appearance of a product, whether a medical device, sporting accessory, fashion good or any other original and novel product. It is therefore important to understand what rights exist to protect this appearance, and to give full consideration to their registration, management and enforcement to provide peace of mind to your business. We have the specialist expertise to advise fully on any design requirements you have and to ensure that the knowledge and creativity invested in your product obtains the protection it needs.
Registered designs
Our patent and trade mark attorneys can help you register your designs in the UK, EU and internationally. Our services include:
- UK, European and international design registration
- design clearance and non-infringement opinions with respect to third-party registered designs
- international design portfolio management
- UK and European representation for overseas clients
- advising on the scope of design protection
- advising on the registrability of product designs
- online platform take-downs
- UK and EU customs application for action
Unregistered design right
A design right often arises automatically without any need for formal registration. Although the protection provided by this unregistered design right is more limited and has a shorter maximum duration than registered design protection, it can still be useful to rely on in certain circumstances.
Our IP professionals are also able to advise on the presence and potential enforcement of an unregistered design right both in the UK and the EU.
Design infringement
If you are concerned that someone is infringing your registered design or unregistered design right, or if you are facing accusations of infringement yourself, then our expert IP solicitors can help.
We will assess the likelihood of infringement, advise you on the possible enforcement or defence options, and act on your behalf should the matter go to court.
Who do we help?
We offer design protection services to organisations of all sizes, including universities, charities, SMEs and multinationals.