Design transactions and management

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis

STOP PRESS: This Overview is under review and is being updated in light of changes to the EU designs regime in force from 1 July 2026. As part of the changes, Regulation (EU) 2026/715 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2026 on European Union designs (codification) is in force from 1 July 2026 and repeals Council Regulation (EC) 6/2002. A new Delegated Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2026/137) and a new Implementing Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2026/138) also apply from 1 July 2026. For more information about the reforms, see Practice Note: EU design legislation reform.

What are design rights?

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.

Design rights currently available in the UK

The

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest IP News

EUIPO announces entry into force of updated examination guidelines for EU trade marks and designs

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has announced that the 2026 edition of its Guidelines for Examination of European Union trade...

IP weekly highlights—2 July 2026

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...

CJC publishes consultation update on use of AI in preparing court documents

The Civil Justice Council (CJC) working group has published an update on its consultation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for the...

OpenAI and Microsoft accused of scraping local news sites

Law360: A group of local news publishers has sued OpenAI and Microsoft claiming their copyright-protected news content was improperly scraped from the...

View IP by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

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 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

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of case

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of caseA strike out order can be made either following an application by the parties or on the court's own initiative. This Practice Note deals with the scenario of the order being made following a party's application.Making an application

Contributory negligence in personal injury claims

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
Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

Priority between loss reliefs in loss making companies

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 the difference between an appeal and a review?

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

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of case

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of case

Strike out—making an application to strike out a statement of caseA strike out order can be made either following an application by the parties or on the court's own initiative. This Practice Note deals with the scenario of the order being made following a party's application.Making an application

Contributory negligence in personal injury claims

Contributory negligence in personal injury claims

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