Survey on priorities to shape UK system for protecting designs

Page 1 of 5

Closes 1 Apr 2025

This service needs cookies enabled.

Survey Introduction

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights. Our mission is to help people and businesses grow the UK economy by providing an IP system that encourages investment in creativity and innovation.   

The Design Council reported that in 2019 the design economy contributed £97.4 billion in GVA to the UK economy, equivalent to 4.9 % of total UK GVA. This demonstrates the importance of designs to the UK economy.  

In line with the IPO’s mission, the UK designs protection system should help people grow the economy through investment in innovation and creativity. We are therefore reviewing the UK designs system to ensure it is fit for the future and supports designs businesses of all sizes. This provides an opportunity to ensure we have the basics right and are guided by the right principles.  

The UK’s designs protection system sits within a wider context. The UK is a signatory of various international treaties which set out certain requirements for our domestic system. The UK must also comply with the provisions of its free trade agreements. For example, international treaties set out that industrial designs must be protected, a minimum term of protection, and that there can be exceptions to protection. Free trade agreement obligations include implementing both registered and unregistered design protection systems. Revisiting international obligations and trade agreements is not within the scope of the review.   

Why your views matter 

Ahead of a planned consultation later this year, we want to hear users’ views on the overarching principles which should shape the designs system. We also want to hear your views on whether the current definition of a design is fit for purpose in the digital era. Your responses will feed into the options presented in the upcoming consultation.   

1. What is your name?
2. What is your email address?
3. What is your organisation/company?
4. The Intellectual Property Office may wish to contact you to discuss your response. Would you be happy to be contacted to discuss your response?
(Required)
5. If you are an individual, are you,
(Required)
6. If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, are you?
(Required)
7. In which main industry do you or your business operate?
(Required)
8. Are your designs;
(Required)
9. If you are responding as a design business, how many people does your business employ?
(Required)
10. Approximately how many designs have you registered in the last 12 months (in your own right, on behalf of a business or on behalf of clients?) If possible, please specify approximately how many.
(Required)
11. Where are you based? If your business has more than one site, or if you work from multiple sites, please answer for the site where you work from most of the time.
(Required)