Design rights protect the shape, configuration or appearance of the whole or part of a product/article (rather than its functional aspects).
Design law is intended to stop other people making products which are made to the design of or create the same overall impression as the original design.
This Overview covers the various design rights (both registered and unregistered) that can be relied on by right holders in the UK.
The design rights currently available in the UK are as follows:
UK registered designs (including re-registered designs and re-registered international designs)
UK unregistered design right (also known as ‘design right’)
supplementary unregistered design right (SUD)
Each of the above rights differs in terms of qualifying criteria, scope and duration of protection. For more information, see Practice Note: UK registered and unregistered designs.
Prior to Brexit, the UK designs regime was significantly harmonised with the EU regime.
The Designs Directive (Directive 98/71/EC) harmonised the requirements for national registered design protection across the EU. It was incorporated...
To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
**Trials are provided to all LexisNexis content, excluding Practice Compliance, Practice Management and Risk and Compliance, subscription packages are tailored to your specific needs. To discuss trialling these LexisNexis services please email customer service via our online form. Free trials are only available to individuals based in the UK, Ireland and selected UK overseas territories and Caribbean countries. We may terminate this trial at any time or decide not to give a trial, for any reason. Trial includes one question to LexisAsk during the length of the trial.
This week's edition of IP weekly highlights includes a hand-picked summary of news analysis, updates and new content from the world of IP. These...
Law360, London: The UK’s Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has denied AI company Emotional Perception’s patent application for an artificial neural...
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has published a Court Forms Destination Table setting out changes to Chancery Division forms to support the...
Law360, London: Around 80 actors, performers and public figures backed the ‘Save Our Voices Now’ campaign, launched on 8 August 2026, calling for...
Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companiesWhy does it matter?A company that is a member of a group and has incurred any of the types of losses available for surrender by way of group relief may, without any further rules, have more than one way in which to use the loss. There are a
What is the difference between an appeal and a review?What is an appeal?An appeal in insolvency proceedings is no different to an appeal in normal litigation. An appeal will be allowed only if the appeal court is satisfied that the decision of the lower court was 'wrong' or 'unjust because of a
Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid
Contributory negligence in personal injury claimsContributory negligence is a partial defence which can lead to a discount in damages.Other defences may also be relevant. See Practice Notes: Did the claimant consent to the risk of injury? and Was the claimant involved in an illegal activity?If a
0330 161 1234