Consultation on changes to the UK designs framework
This consultation seeks views from designers on how to improve the UK designs system and ensure that it best supports UK businesses.
You may respond to the consultation via Citizen Space.
Citizen Space is a third-party platform used by the government for hosting consultations.
Alternatively, please send responses to designsconsultation@ipo.gov.uk.
Designs consultation overview video
The UK’s design system has not been updated since limited changes were made in 2016.
The increased use of digital technology since then and the UK’s departure from the EU mean that a comprehensive review is needed to ensure that the framework best supports UK designs businesses. The UK intellectual property system for the protection of designs is complex and users consider it difficult to navigate, especially small businesses which represent the majority of the sector.
To understand what users want, the Intellectual Property Office is carrying out a consultation of the UK designs system. The consultation is wide-ranging and technical in nature to make the system more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), allowing them to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights more easily and efficiently. This will ensure the IP framework gives the UK a competitive edge by encouraging greater innovation and growth in the sector.