Our services:
- Design review and pre-filing advice
- Filing design applications in the UK, Europe and internationally
- Navigating the design application process through to acceptance
- Design litigation
- Monitoring and maintaining a designs portfolio with strategic review and advice
- Defending designs from third party challenges, including opposition and revocation proceedings
- Infringement opinions and advice on enforcing design rights
- Advising on commercial agreements such as assignments, licences, securities and co-ownership issues
We've got it covered
Click on the sections below to find out more about registered designs and how we can help.
What can be protected with a registered design
You can protect aspects of the design of your product including its shape and/or decoration.
When to file a design
To be valid, the design features must be ‘new’ and have ‘individual character’ at the date of filing the application to register the design.
How to protect a design
Registered design protection is available for the outward appearance or ornamentation of the whole or a part of a product.
Filing a design internationally
Designs are territorial and only provide protection in the country in which they are registered.
Case studies
Case Study
Vintage Enterprises
For the love of cheese
Shape marks are notoriously difficult to protect. Find out how we secured a trade mark for one farm’s signature, heart-shaped cheese.
Case Study
La Hacienda
Opposing a copycat product
What can you do when a competitor is selling (and has registered a design for) a product that copies one of your own?
Case Study
Escape Fitness
The advantage of combining design and patent protection
If you spot a competitor selling a product identical to your own and you have both design and patent protection, you can take immediate legal action.
Blog posts
IP tips
27-09-2018
The importance of IP in mergers and acquisitions
In light of the Versace/Michael Kors deal, we explore the importance of managing your IP portfolio.
Designs
24-08-2018
Get your priorities right! — Proposed changes to the EUIPO Design Guidelines explained
This is a must-read for anyone looking to file a design application.
Patents
19-07-2018
Seven inventions that revolutionised cycling
From 'bone shakers' to sleek hill climbers, here's a look at the evolution of the bicycle.
Key people
Meet some of our designs team.
Dr Alan Jones
Partner - Cardiff
Alison Simpson
Managing Partner - London | Milton Keynes
Gareth Price
Partner - Leeds
Ian Byworth
Partner - Newcastle
Mark Green
Partner - London
Dr Simon Mitchell
Partner - London
Get in touch
Fill out our contact form and one of our team will be in touch.
Alternatively, you can contact us directly and speak to a member of our specialist team.