We welcome the major consultation by the UK Patent Office (UKIPO) which aims to strengthen the UK’s £100 billion design sector. (The consultation ends 27 November 2025).
The consultation is to be commended on setting important priorities such as:
- modernising design protection;
- seeking to engage with expertise across the design industry;
- tackling system complexity and abuse;
- future proofing for digital innovation.
The UK Patent Office intends the consultation to cover diverse areas for reform including: fighting design theft; streamlining processes; resolving post-Brexit complexities; strengthening enforcement and access to justice; and modernising for the digital age.
We would encourage the UK Patent Office to take careful note of the amendments made to EU design law in May 2025. The UK, while not being bound by the new EU Design Regulation, would do well to reform UK design law in a way which takes the good from the new EU Design Regulation. For example, in simplifying the fee structure, modernising the definition of “design” to include animation, and introducing the design symbol.
We would also encourage the UK government to take steps to implement reform to UK design laws sooner rather than later. The UK design sector should not find itself at a prolonged disadvantage, where design protection in the UK is out-dated compared to that in the EU.
If you want to discuss with us any of your design or other IP protection requirements, then please contact us at: mail@MorelandIP.com or via www.MorelandIP.com
