Encouraging Original Design

Anti Copying in Design’s (ACID) Commission it, Don’t Copy it! Campaign, supported by Elle Decoration, was launched on World Intellectual Property Day in April. The campaign aims to garner support from the UK’s major high street chains and independent retailers to commission original designs and avoid producing lookalikes.

Baroness Wilcox, Minster for Intellectual Property, says:” The UK is rich in design talent. Its many design-led small businesses not only generate direct value for the UK economy, they also underpin success for many larger firms across all sectors. ACID’s Commission it, Don’t Copy it! Campaign aims to engage plc buyers in working with the UK’s designers. The relationships that develop will help more of the UK’s design businesses to emerge as key players and ensure that our major retailers reap the benefits of access to outstanding design and a corporate reputation for true originality.”

ACID CEO Dis Macdonald adds:” Major high street retailers are invited to sign the ACID voluntary Code of Conduct. This contains a framework of values, with the intention of providing consumers with assurances as to the integrity of the designs and conduct of retailers. It is often difficult for design buyers to easily recognize design origination or understand about intellectual property ownership, so ACID has created a simple set of guidelines which it is intended will be helpful to work within to comply with UK IP law.”