Albright IP Limited

Protecting your innovation

+44 (0)1242 691 801

Speak to a UK and European Patent and Trade Mark Attorney

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Designs

Albright IP is a firm of expert qualified British and European design attorneys. Our first-class attorneys have exceptional expertise, and will represent you before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and internationally before the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). We can also obtain registered design rights for you in almost any country throughout the world. We aim to provide you with all the guidance and advice that you require to obtain strong design rights in a cost-effective manner.

Please contact us with your enquiry using the form further down on this page.


Registered Design Rights Overview

What is a design?

Designs protect the appearance or shape of a product. A UK Registered Design or a Registered Community Design (or ‘European design’) protects the appearance of the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials of the product or its ornamentation. There can be some overlap with trade mark registration, and we can advise you of the pros and cons in this regard.

We represent our clients before the UK Designs Registry of the UK IPO and the European Community Designs Registry of the EUIPO. We can also arrange design filings in countries around the world through our network of capable and cost-effective overseas associates.


Where can I get advice on designs?

Located in Cheltenham, UK, our qualified British and European design attorneys are able to advise you on all areas of design law, including:

Registered and Unregistered Designs

There are two different types of design rights - registered and unregistered.

Registered design rights (RDRs) are recorded and made available in a public Designs Registry. Different views of the design are shown, and these provide the scope of protection for the design. If you have a registered design, an infringer cannot claim to have 'innocently' infringed your design.

Unregistered design rights (UDRs) are not kept in a public register. UDRs subsist automatically, but have a much narrower scope of protection, provide a shorter term of protection and are more difficult to enforce. For example, unlike infringement of a registered design, you must show that an unregistered design was copied, rather than independently created, to succeed in an infringement action.

There are exclusions for both types of design, which affect whether a particular design is likely to be registrable.

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Registrability of a Design

In order for a design to be registrable, there are certain criteria that must be met. The general requirements are that the design is new and has individual character. This means that the design has not been made available to the public before, and that the 'overall impression' of the design on the 'informed user' is different to that of other known designs.

Some things are excluded from design protection. For example, a design is not registrable if its appearance is solely dictated by its technical function, or if the design would be contrary to public policy or immoral.

Exclusions can vary in different territories, so for more information regarding registrability, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Searching for Designs

Formal design searches are not carried out as part of a registered design application. However, if your design is not new, or is too similar to an existing design, then you will not be able to obtain a valid design registration.

We offer design searching services to find designs which may be similar to your own. This can give more certainty regarding whether your design is different enough from known designs, and can help identify whether your design might infringe other registered designs.

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Design Filing

Different territories have different requirements for design applications. For example, standardised views of the design being protected are generally required. This normally means providing images of the front, back, top, bottom, left side and right side of the design, along with a perspective view. However, in order to ensure the best scope of protection, sometimes a different set of views may be preferred.

In the UK and Europe, we offer competitive fixed fee deals for preparing and filing design applications, and taking them through to registration. We also offer competitive rates for handling design applications in other countries around the world.

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Validity

Design applications in the UK and Europe do not undergo substantive search and examination. This means that a design may be invalid if it is not novel or does not have individual character, although other reasons for invalidity exist.

Issues concerning patent validity can arise during cases of patent infringement, where one party has alleged infringement and the other contends that the patent is invalid (and so unenforceable).

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Infringement

A design can only be enforced once registered. If you own a registered design, you have the right to stop another party from doing something that would fall within the scope of protection conferred by the figures in the design (known as infringement).

For example, if you have a registered UK design, then you would have the right to stop another party from making, offering, putting on the market, importing/exporting, or using a product including your design in the UK, or stocking such a product for any of those purposes.

In the UK, designs tend to register quickly, within a month or so. In Europe, designs can sometimes register very quickly, sometimes within a few days if using the fast track process.

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Revocation

Sometimes, designs may be registered for a design that is not novel, or lacks individual character, for example. This can occur because design applications do not undergo substantive search and examination.

In such cases, it is possible for a registered design to be revoked, or partially revoked, by a court or by the relevant Office (e.g. the UK IPO or EUIPO), in light of new prior art that pre-dates an application, for example.

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Renewals

In the UK and Europe, a design registration initially remains in force for 5 years once registered. It is possible to pay renewal fees to extend the period of protection in additional 5 year increments, up to a maximum term of 25 years.

In other juridictions, renewals and the term of protection can vary. For example, in the USA, registered designs (called 'design patents') last for 14 years once registered, and there are no renewal fees due.

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

Licences, Assignments and Recordal

It is possible to license or transfer a design from one person (or company) to another. Licensing permits another party to use a design, e.g. making and selling a product incorporating the design, without infringing. In return, the design holder can receive a royalty, for example. Assignment transfers the design to another party, and the previous holder no longer owns the design.

Different types of licenses are possible, and the terms can be negotiated according to the value of the design (or design portfolio). Design assignments normally transfer all of the design rights from one party (the 'assignor') to the other (the 'assignee'). Licenses and assignments should be recorded at the relevant Designs Registry once finalised.

For more information, please contact us by calling +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak with one of our qualified British and European attorneys.

 

If you need advice regarding product design, development and/or manufacture, please click here.


Why should I register my design?

A registered design is a very useful tool for protecting new design features, which make your products different to those of your competitors. If your business relies on attracting customers by virtue of attractive or distinctive design, then it makes good sense to protect your designs by design registration.

By registering the appearance of a design, you can monopolise its manufacture, use, distribution and sale, amongst other things. Whilst the initial period of protection is 5 years, this period can be extended in 5 year increments up to a period of 25 years, ensuring that your position in the marketplace is secure.

If your business is involved in creating any new aesthetic designs, then design registration could add value to your business, give you a dominant position in the marketplace and allow you to prevent import of cheap imitations.


What else should I know about IP protection?

In addition to advising on Designs for your product, we can provide free initial advice regarding Patents to protect the underlying concept or functions of your product, Trade Marks for your brand image and company and Copyright to cover your literature, artwork and graphic design.

Whether you are an inventor, designer, entrepreneur or business, Albright IP can help you stay ahead of your competitors by protecting your new designs, products and trade names in a thorough, proactive and cost-effective way.

Our firm provides a personal service, puts our clients first and has a strategy to support your enterprise. We are here to protect your creative vision, innovation and investment, through domestic, European and international design filings.

If you would like further information, please contact us on +44 (0) 1242 691 801 to speak to a qualified British and European design attorney.

  • Patents
    • Overview
    • UK Patents
    • European / Euro-PCT Patents
    • International Patents
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  • Designs
    • Overview
    • UK Designs
    • European Designs
    • International Designs
    • Costs
    • FAQs
  • Trade Marks
    • Overview
    • UK Trade Marks
    • European Trade Marks
    • International Trade Marks
    • Costs
    • FAQs
  • IP Strategy
    • Obtaining Protection
    • Enforcing Your Rights
    • Defending an Infringement Action
    • Intellectual Property Insurance
    • The Patent Box
    • Your Competitors’ IP
    • IP Audits Plus

What Our Customers Say...

Albright IP Limited
Albright IP Limited
4.9
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Richard Hearn
Richard Hearn
16:05 22 Nov 19
Excellent professional advise and extremely honest and upfront people. Many thanks Adrian and your team!
Brian Gibbs
Brian Gibbs
07:32 23 Aug 19
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Albright IP Ltd having received superb service and support throughout. Every query I raised was dealt with professionally and very quickly by Will who provided fully detailed and regular updates as well being approachable and friendly at all times. I have full confidence in Albright IP!read more
Warren Philbey
Warren Philbey
10:54 18 Jul 19
From the first call I had a great feeling, polite, friendly, informative and professional. From then it just got better and after a great deal of help and support in understanding our needs we contracted with Albright and they did a fantastic service, exceeding any expectations and proving themselves to be a truly wonderful company to work with. 10 stars! A big thank you to Adrian and his team.read more
Terence Hodgson
Terence Hodgson
23:06 12 Jun 19
I have not had reason to contact Albright for several years since the granting of my Patent but quite recently I did get in touch. It was as I remembered, friendly, professional, honest and informative. It appears that Adrian and the Albright team are there for me no matter the length of time. T Hodgson. UMU HSA Ltdread more
Paul Sims
Paul Sims
12:40 12 Apr 19
Adrian and The Albright Team are Professional and Helpful. It has is a real gem to found such great people to act as part of my extended legal team regards Patents. I am pleased to recommend and have them represent my Registered Patents. Thank you. www.thebluebearpartnership.comread more
Nick Ball
Nick Ball
19:16 12 Mar 19
High quality service at a reasonable price. With Albright you feel you're in very good hands. Marc was always courteous, responsive, well informed and generous with his time. I would have no hesitation recommending Albright or working with them again.read more
Andrew Stewart
Andrew Stewart
16:27 26 Feb 19
Great depth of expertise, advice and counsel. Not only expert advisors, Albright IP provide valuable, balanced and cogent advice on complex (and simple) matters of patent and trademark law. Delivered with great clarity, always available and keen to provide balanced perspectives in support of good outcomes. Great partners, highly recommend.read more
Simon Bradbeer
Simon Bradbeer
11:37 05 Feb 19
After leaving a well known London based attorney Albright IP were recommended to me by a colleague within the group. Since then Adrian and his team have consistently given me superb advice and support whatever the project. With their help the company has been granted a number of robust patents, registered designs and trademarks.read more
Scott Johnson
Scott Johnson
14:59 11 Jan 19
I have known Adrian Hocking for over 10 years. The service he and his colleagues offer is professional, transparent and friendly. If you have an idea that is either completely new or you think is a step-change from what is currently available, I recommend that you contact Albright IP.read more
Hannah Azar
Hannah Azar
11:10 24 Dec 18
Adrian is an exceptionally talented and experienced patent attorney. I was very impressed by the quality of work produced by the team at Albright. A fast, helpful and friendly service.read more
Oliver Pearce
Oliver Pearce
19:11 01 Dec 18
Fantastic one to one service. Knowledgeable. Friendly. Competent. And very rapid response to queries. Very impressed!read more
Simon Folmann
Simon Folmann
21:32 26 Nov 18
Adrian Hocking and Albright IP have offered us excellent service, and expertise over the last 12 months. They explain in detail the processes, implications, and opportunities with obtaining and securing Intellectual Property and for a Product Development company such as ours, it is crucial that the terminology and quality of work be above industry standard. I can with high confidence say, that the delivered work so far from Albright IP and their team, is unparalleled to prior partners we have had in IP; and I am sure it will continue to do so in our future endeavours together.read more
Martin Boyd
Martin Boyd
15:17 03 Nov 18
Excellent technical and legal knowledge. Amazing friendly customer service catered to individual customer needs. Highly recommended.read more
Mike N
Mike N
16:14 08 Oct 18
Albright-IP - We can highly recommend Albright-IP, after contacting several patent companies prior to application - we were after a patent company to offer realistic and practical advice, be able to process our claim from start to finish, After speaking with Mr Doherty on the telephone we decided Albright -IP would be able to offer the skills and knowledge required for our application and asked them to represent us. Albright-IP were on hand to explain the complexities of the process and how our claim may or may not be defended in the real world, Mr Will Doherty is our patent attorney, he was professional and attentive, his knowledge and customer service is very good. We are confident our patent application is in good hands and we are pleased to have Alrbight IP there to assist us with our application, without their input we may well have been wasting our time due to our lack of knowledge in this complex matter.read more
Jeffrey Chua
Jeffrey Chua
08:47 14 Sep 18
We worked with Albright IP Limited on patent applications in EU and UK, specifically through Cloe Loo. Cloe and her team have done a fantastic job. We were glad to have assistance from Albright on our patent application journey. I am impressed by the team's professionalism and we will be engaging Albright to be our long-term legal adviser in patent applications.read more
Graham Kelly
Graham Kelly
17:49 07 Sep 18
I have a granted patent! thanks to Will and the team at Albright. 👍 Friendly and helpful service, it's great how they can very quickly grasp the required understanding of your idea and put pen to paper and draft a patent. Will was great at pointing out what are valid aspects of my idea and taking me through the process of what that means in patent language! A few more steps to go to hopefully gain the overseas coverage. 😊read more
Geraint Morgan
Geraint Morgan
09:44 21 Aug 18
Albright IP provided an excellent, efficient, affordable high quality service that made the whole patent filing experience an enjoyable one - contrary to previous experiences. We are certainly more likely to consider patenting our innovations in the future based on our recent experience and would highly recommend Albright IP to others.......read more
Don Spence
Don Spence
12:07 09 Aug 18
Filing patents can be a steep learning curve but Adrian does an excellent job explaining the process. Adrian and his associates are easy to contact and they will always answer your questions. Money and cost are important and the Albright team do their best to make sure your $$ is spent in a wise fashion. After working with Albright for 6 years, I am happy with their work and I have no reason to change companies. My many thanks for professional service.read more
Graeme Allison
Graeme Allison
22:54 31 Jul 18
Adrian and his team provided and excellent service, their technical understanding is fantastic and patent advice has been impeccable, I’d highly recommend Albright IP should you be looking for patent expertise.read more
Mark Hendriksen
Mark Hendriksen
16:12 17 Jul 18
Exceptional. Guided me through the process in clear understandable steps. Hoping we have a long and successful future ahead with the patents they've so expertly managed for me so far.read more
jing cheng
jing cheng
13:12 19 Jun 18
I contacted Adrain for advise in a short time frame. He is very professional and clear about price policy. He has very good understanding of online business and IP law. He is very quick responding and speakes the language I understand. Highly recommended.read more
Lorenzo Rimoldi
Lorenzo Rimoldi
12:44 07 Jun 18
Adrian was very helpful, upfront and clear on processes, costs and timeline. He's very professional and proactive in his involvement and support. I would definitely recommend Albright IP.read more
Mohammed Deria
Mohammed Deria
04:06 01 Jun 18
Adrian is a true professional at the top of his field! Due to his background in engineering, Adrian effortlessly understand the needs of his client even when it is highly technical in nature. An attentive ear and huge generosity with his time, Adrian's support to us as a client has been extremely valuable. I would highly recommend Adrian and the team at Albright IP for protecting your IP.read more
Guy Procter
Guy Procter
17:36 21 May 18
What can I say, excellent help so far! Very clear and helpful service, explained in terms you can understand covered everything I thought I needed and then some more to give me all the options available. More than willing to recommend Albright IP.read more
Kirishan Siva
Kirishan Siva
09:14 17 Dec 17
The Albright team were extremely helpful and knowledgeable in the whole patent process for our product and went through each process in registering patent to help us understand this fully. Highly recommend Adrian and team for their knowledge, efficiency and professional service!read more
Jade Baron
Jade Baron
16:05 25 Nov 17
Adrian Hocking at Albright handled my recent patent application. I've been very happy with his service. He was very responsive to my questions and explained everything thoroughly. He was very supportive of my idea and consistently positive, which was also helpful. Albright has relationships with various other businesses that help inventors, so it's kind of a like a one-stop-shop. Highly recommend.read more
Meopham Fencing
Meopham Fencing
15:27 08 Nov 17
Great advice and customer service at a reasonable price. They have enabled us to finalise our case satisfactorily. Would happily recommend them and use them again.read more
James Garritt
James Garritt
09:17 17 Oct 17
Adrian and his team have been fantastic in all works asked to do. They have ensured my idea has been protected in every way. They have helped with the design process also and I could not wish for a better team. You may be paying a little more than you feel is expected....but you get what you pay for and you probably save money in the long run. Highly recommended.... use without worry.read more
Tony Laycock
Tony Laycock
16:06 02 Oct 17
I have found that the company has given me excellent service in getting my patent through the process. Every time I have had a phone conversation I have felt I was given plenty of time to discuss what was happening. Along with sound advice I have been able to make great progress. In my opinion it is one of the best companies I have ever dealt with and would be happy to recommend them.read more
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Cheltenham Head Office

Albright IP
County House
Bayshill Road
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL50 3BA
United Kingdom

 

(use for all correspondence)

Cornwall Office

Pool Innovation Centre
Redruth
Cornwall TR15 3PL

 

London Meeting Room

5 Merchant Square
London, W2 1AY

 

See the Contact Us page for details

Contact Us

Cheltenham: +44 (0)1242 691801
Cornwall: +44 (0)1209 316161
Fax: +44 (0)1242 692351

Vat No: 891 4780 86


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