Unregistered design rights - Revision history

Editor at 05:50, 10 February 2026

2026-02-10T05:50:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:50, 10 February 2026
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	* Design methodology.		* Design methodology.
	* Design principles.		* Design principles.
		+	* Design protection.
	* Detailed design..		* Detailed design..
	* Design protection.		* Design protection.

Editor: moved Design rights to Unregistered design rights

2026-02-10T05:28:30Z

moved Design rights to Unregistered design rights

← Older revision

Revision as of 05:28, 10 February 2026

Editor at 05:23, 10 February 2026

2026-02-10T05:23:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:23, 10 February 2026
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−	Rights that protect unregistered designs ~~[https://www.gov.uk/unregistered-designs ]~~and stop others from using them without permission are known as a ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee, this protection differs depending on the nature of the unregistered design.	+	Rights that protect unregistered designs and stop others from using them without permission are known as a ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee, this protection differs depending on the nature of the unregistered design.

	Design rights relating to the shape and configuration of an unregistered design lasts either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first. However within the last 5 years of protection if a ‘licence of right’ is requested one must let others use the design. A registration for longer protection can however be applied for providing the design meets certain eligibility criteria.		Design rights relating to the shape and configuration of an unregistered design lasts either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first. However within the last 5 years of protection if a ‘licence of right’ is requested one must let others use the design. A registration for longer protection can however be applied for providing the design meets certain eligibility criteria.

Editor at 14:05, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T14:05:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:05, 9 February 2026
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−	Rights that protect unregistered designs and stop others from using them without permission are known as a ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee, this protection differs depending on the nature of the unregistered design.	+	Rights that protect unregistered designs [https://www.gov.uk/unregistered-designs ]and stop others from using them without permission are known as a ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee, this protection differs depending on the nature of the unregistered design.

	Design rights relating to the shape and configuration of an unregistered design lasts either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first. However within the last 5 years of protection if a ‘licence of right’ is requested one must let others use the design. A registration for longer protection can however be applied for providing the design meets certain eligibility criteria.		Design rights relating to the shape and configuration of an unregistered design lasts either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first. However within the last 5 years of protection if a ‘licence of right’ is requested one must let others use the design. A registration for longer protection can however be applied for providing the design meets certain eligibility criteria.
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	* What is design?		* What is design?

−	[[Category:~~Articles_needing_more_work~~]]	+	= External links =
		+
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/unregistered-designs https://www.gov.uk/unregistered-designs]
		+
		+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:DCN_Specification]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]]

Editor at 13:57, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T13:57:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:57, 9 February 2026
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	Proof of when a design was created is needed in order to prove the right that a design is protected. This could mean getting signed and dated copies of the design drawings or photos certified and kept by a solicitor or intellectual property attorney. There are other ways to prove your right. You’ll usually need to get professional legal advice. Others can use a design if the original proven designer sells or gives a licence of right. Disputes over a design and use thereof should be directed to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), intellectual property professionals may charge for their assistance.		Proof of when a design was created is needed in order to prove the right that a design is protected. This could mean getting signed and dated copies of the design drawings or photos certified and kept by a solicitor or intellectual property attorney. There are other ways to prove your right. You’ll usually need to get professional legal advice. Others can use a design if the original proven designer sells or gives a licence of right. Disputes over a design and use thereof should be directed to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), intellectual property professionals may charge for their assistance.
		+
		+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =
		+
		+	* Appointing consultants.
		+	* Assignment.
		+	* Building component.
		+	* Concept design.
		+	* Concept..
		+	* Confidentiality clause.
		+	* Copyright.
		+	* Design coordination.
		+	* Design management.
		+	* Design methodology.
		+	* Design principles.
		+	* Detailed design..
		+	* Design protection.
		+	* Manual drafting techniques.
		+	* Mood board.
		+	* Non-disclosure agreement.
		+	* patents.
		+	* Prejudice to commercial interests.
		+	* Proprietary information.
		+	* Royalties.
		+	* Trade secrets.
		+	* Trade mark.
		+	* Truth to materials.
		+	* UK consults on proposals to give creative industries and AI developers clarity over copyright laws
		+	* What is design?

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]

Editor: moved Design right to Design rights

2026-02-09T09:15:39Z

moved Design right to Design rights

← Older revision

Revision as of 09:15, 9 February 2026

Editor at 09:15, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T09:15:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:15, 9 February 2026
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−	Rights that protect unregistered designs and stop others from using them without permission are known as ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee, this protection ~~of shape and configuration lasts either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first. However within~~ the ~~last 5 years~~ of ~~protection if a ‘licence of right’ is requested one must let others use the design. A registration for longer protection can however be applied for providing~~ the design ~~meets certain eligibility criteria~~.	+	Rights that protect unregistered designs and stop others from using them without permission are known as a ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee, this protection differs depending on the nature of the unregistered design.

−	~~How long you’re protected~~ for	+	Design rights relating to the shape and configuration of an unregistered design lasts either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first. However within the last 5 years of protection if a ‘licence of right’ is requested one must let others use the design. A registration for longer protection can however be applied for providing the design meets certain eligibility criteria.

−	~~There are different types~~ of ~~unregistered design. How long you’re~~ protected for ~~depends on~~ the ~~type of~~ design.	+	Design rights relating to the appearance of a product is protected in the UK for 3 years from the date the design is made public. Known as ‘supplementary unregistered design right’ (or ‘continuing unregistered community design’ if made public in the UK or the EU before 1 January 2021). The rights relating to appearance can refer to 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional designs including; shape, colours, texture, materials or ornamentation.

−	~~Shape~~ and ~~configuration~~	+	If a design is made public in the EU, it’s protected in the EU for 3 years from the date it was made public and is known as ‘unregistered community design right’, but it does not protect the design outside the EU. If made public before 1 January 2021, it remained protected in the EU until the end of the 3 year period and protected whether made public in the EU the UK.

−	~~The shape and configuration (how the parts are arranged)~~ of ~~3-dimensional objects is automatically protected in the UK for whichever ends first of:~~	+	Proof of when a design was created is needed in order to prove the right that a design is protected. This could mean getting signed and dated copies of the design drawings or photos certified and kept by a solicitor or intellectual property attorney. There are other ways to prove your right. You’ll usually need to get professional legal advice. Others can use a design if the original proven designer sells or gives a licence of right. Disputes over a design and use thereof should be directed to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), intellectual property professionals may charge for their assistance.
−		+
−	~~10 years after it was first sold~~	+
−		+
−	~~15 years after it~~ was created	+
−		+
−	~~This~~ is ~~known as ‘design right’.~~	+
−		+
−	~~You must allow other people~~ to ~~use your design if they ask during~~ the ~~final 5 years of protection. This is known as~~ a ~~‘licence of right’.~~	+
−		+
−	~~Appearance~~	+
−		+
−	~~The appearance of a product is protected in the UK for 3 years from the date you make your~~ design ~~public.~~	+
−		+
−	~~This~~ is ~~known as ‘supplementary unregistered design right’ (or ‘continuing unregistered community design’ if you made your design public in the UK or the EU before 1 January 2021).~~	+
−		+
−	~~The appearance of a product can be 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional and includes its:~~	+
−		+
−	~~shape~~	+
−		+
−	~~colours~~	+
−		+
−	~~texture~~	+
−		+
−	~~materials~~	+
−		+
−	~~ornamentation~~	+
−		+
−	~~Protecting a design in the EU~~	+
−		+
−	~~If you make a design public in the EU, it’s~~ protected ~~in the EU for 3 years from the date you make it public~~.	+
−		+
−	~~This is known as ‘unregistered community design right’. It does not protect your design outside the EU.~~	+
−		+
−	If you made a design public before 1 January 2021, it will remain protected in the EU until the end of the 3 year period. Your design will be protected whether you first made it public in the EU or the UK.	+
−		+
−	~~Read guidance on other ways to protect your intellectual property in the EU.~~	+
−		+
−	~~Prove your design is protected~~	+
−		+
−	~~You’ll need proof of when you created a design if you want to prove your right.~~	+
−		+
−	This could be getting signed and dated copies of ~~your~~ design drawings or photos certified and kept by a solicitor or intellectual property attorney.	+
−		+
−	There are other ways to prove your right. You’ll usually need to get professional legal advice.	+
−		+
−	~~Letting others use your design~~	+
−		+
−	~~You~~ can ~~allow other people to~~ use ~~your~~ design ~~by selling~~ or ~~giving them~~ licence of right.	+
−		+
−	~~If you have a dispute~~ over a design	+
−		+
−	~~The~~ Intellectual Property Office (IPO) ~~can help with some design disputes.~~	+
−		+
−	~~You can pay an~~ intellectual property ~~professional to help you~~.	+

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]

Editor at 08:56, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T08:56:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:56, 9 February 2026
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−	Rights that protect unregistered designs and stop others from using them without permission are known as ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee and ~~last~~ either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first.	+	Rights that protect unregistered designs and stop others from using them without permission are known as ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee, this protection of shape and configuration lasts either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first. However within the last 5 years of protection if a ‘licence of right’ is requested one must let others use the design. A registration for longer protection can however be applied for providing the design meets certain eligibility criteria.
−		+
−	~~You can register your design~~ if ~~you need to protect it~~ for longer~~, provided it meets~~ the eligibility criteria.	+

	How long you’re protected for		How long you’re protected for

Editor at 08:47, 9 February 2026

2026-02-09T08:47:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:47, 9 February 2026
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−	~~How your unregistered designs are protected~~	+	Rights that protect unregistered designs and stop others from using them without permission are known as ‘design right’. It gives protection automatically without paying a fee and last either 10 years after and item was first sold or 15 years after it was created, whichever ends first.
−		+
−	~~There are rights~~ that protect ~~your~~ unregistered designs and stop others from using them without ~~your~~ permission.	+
−		+
−	~~You get~~ protection automatically ~~- you do not have to apply or pay~~ a fee.	+

	You can register your design if you need to protect it for longer, provided it meets the eligibility criteria.		You can register your design if you need to protect it for longer, provided it meets the eligibility criteria.

Editor: Created page with "How your unregistered designs are protected There are rights that protect your unregistered designs and stop others from using them without your permission. You get protection ..."

2026-02-09T08:21:03Z

Created page with "How your unregistered designs are protected There are rights that protect your unregistered designs and stop others from using them without your permission. You get protection ..."

New page

How your unregistered designs are protected

There are rights that protect your unregistered designs and stop others from using them without your permission.

You get protection automatically - you do not have to apply or pay a fee.

You can register your design if you need to protect it for longer, provided it meets the eligibility criteria.

How long you’re protected for

There are different types of unregistered design. How long you’re protected for depends on the type of design.

Shape and configuration

The shape and configuration (how the parts are arranged) of 3-dimensional objects is automatically protected in the UK for whichever ends first of:

10 years after it was first sold

15 years after it was created

This is known as ‘design right’.

You must allow other people to use your design if they ask during the final 5 years of protection. This is known as a ‘licence of right’.

Appearance

The appearance of a product is protected in the UK for 3 years from the date you make your design public.

This is known as ‘supplementary unregistered design right’ (or ‘continuing unregistered community design’ if you made your design public in the UK or the EU before 1 January 2021).

The appearance of a product can be 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional and includes its:

shape

colours

texture

materials

ornamentation

Protecting a design in the EU

If you make a design public in the EU, it’s protected in the EU for 3 years from the date you make it public.

This is known as ‘unregistered community design right’. It does not protect your design outside the EU.

If you made a design public before 1 January 2021, it will remain protected in the EU until the end of the 3 year period. Your design will be protected whether you first made it public in the EU or the UK.

Read guidance on other ways to protect your intellectual property in the EU.

Prove your design is protected

You’ll need proof of when you created a design if you want to prove your right.

This could be getting signed and dated copies of your design drawings or photos certified and kept by a solicitor or intellectual property attorney.

There are other ways to prove your right. You’ll usually need to get professional legal advice.

Letting others use your design

You can allow other people to use your design by selling or giving them licence of right.

If you have a dispute over a design

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) can help with some design disputes.

You can pay an intellectual property professional to help you.

[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]