Stronger design protection for UK creators

On 4 November 2026, the UK government announced substantial reforms to the country's design system intended to strengthen protections for its 80,000 design businesses. This overhaul is particularly beneficial for smaller firms and independent designers, who have historically faced challenges in navigating a complex legal landscape, often leading to unfair exploitation of their creative works. The UK’s design sector has been a vital economic contributor, generating close to £137 billion in 2023 while supporting over 2 million jobs.

Among the key changes proposed are measures to prevent competitors from copying designs, simplifying legal processes for disputes, and modernising protection for digital designs, including animations. The reforms stem from a consultation led by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) that concluded in November 2025. "Our reforms will make protecting their hard work simpler, so designers spend less time bogged down in admin and more time unleashing the creativity that drives them," said Chris McDonald, Minister responsible for Intellectual Property.

One of the notable elements of the reform package is the introduction of a new legislative framework that allows the IPO to scrutinise design applications for originality before registration. This is a response to widespread concerns regarding the misuse of design filing systems, which some larger entities exploit to gain competitive advantages. The reforms aim to mitigate these practices by ensuring that only genuinely original designs are registered.

Additionally, the reforms will enhance access to justice for smaller businesses by allowing registered design cases to be heard in the IPEC Small Claims Track, significantly easing the financial burden associated with legal disputes. Small claims would be capped at £10,000, making it more feasible for individual designers to defend their rights without the risk of exorbitant legal costs.

For designers preparing new products, the government plans to introduce a 30-month deferment period for design protection applications. This change aligns the UK with EU standards, enabling designers to maintain confidentiality over their innovations during critical development phases. “The Design Council welcomes the government’s plans to take forward changes that will make the UK’s design protection system clearer and more accessible,” stated Mat Hunter, CEO of the Design Council.

The reforms also aim to modernise the rules around unregistered design protection, a crucial aspect for many designers who often find existing regulations complicated. By simplifying the qualification processes and duration of protection, creators can more easily understand their rights.

Moreover, in response to the growing importance of digital design, the government will clarify that animated designs qualify for registered protection, reflecting current industry practices. The IPO will be empowered to accept new file formats for these submissions.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed these proposed changes, recognising that an efficient design protection system is vital for fostering innovation and creativity. Simon Wright, President of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, affirmed the importance of these reforms, stating, "We welcome the Government’s measured proposals for reform and are particularly pleased to see that many of our recommendations have been taken on board."

As these reforms move forward, the government remains committed to collaborating with design professionals and industry groups to ensure the UK’s design framework evolves to meet the needs of modern creators. The legislation is expected to be introduced when parliamentary time allows, paving the way for a system that better supports designers in a dynamic and competitive market.