Design Council reacts to proposed government measures to help designers protect their rights
The Design Council has spoken out in support of new changes announced by the government today (17 July) that will change the way that registered design rights operate in the UK.
Currently, when registering IP rights for a design, designers are required to mark the product with the word ‘registered’, along with the associated details, which can represent a significant cost to design businesses who must re-mark their products whenever the rights status changes.
The new proposals aim to allow designers to simply mark the product with a web address, which can more easily be updated.
John Mathers, chief executive of the Design Council, said that it is "fantastic" that the Intellectual Property Office is now looking at the issue.
"This change, although small, has the potential to save design businesses significant time and money," he said. "It will bring us in line with the US, and is the same approach that has successfully been taken with patents here in the UK. Design rights have been long-neglected in this country. With more common-sense changes like these, we are on the road towards ensuring they are fit for purpose in the 21st century. Design Council are supportive of the proposals, and will be responding favourably to the consultation.”
Earlier this week, Mather warned that the government’s plan to boost the UK’s productivity risks failing if the country is not able to make use of its long-held talent for design.