Design is a discipline that is used in many different types of human activity involving the arrangement of resources in compliance with variable parameters to achieve a specified result. Sometimes the specified result is functional as is engineering, software or service design. Other times it is ornamental as in graphic, interior or textile design. In the UK, functional design is protected primarily by unregistered design right and ornamental design by registered and registered and unregistered Community design legislation. There is, of course, some overlap between the two and other intellectual property rights such as copyright, confidentiality and occasionally even trade marks apply.
Over the years we have developed expertise in different aspects of design including:
- graphic design
- interior design
- landscape design, and
- product design.
Some design industries and professions such as architecture, fashion and web design are discussed separately on this website because branding, technology or competition issues are also important.
Whenever there is a significant development of design law or whenever we discover a point of law that we would like to share with the design industry and its other professional advisors we will at least blog it. If we think it is sufficiently important we may even publish an article or special feature on the topic. Also, from time to time we hold conferences and seminars on design law.
If you would like to receive updates on design law and news of our conferences and seminars, please complete this form.
NIPC Law 