ACID (Anti Copying in Design) was nominated as the first-ever UK IP Champion at the first Alliance for Intellectual Property British IP Day held on the Terrace Pavilion at Westminster last night.

The award recognises a person, organisation or campaign that has shown excellence in the promotion or protection of IP.

On being presented with the award by the Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville Rolfe, DBE., Dids Macdonald OBE., CEO of Anti Copying in Design (ACID) and Furniture Makers’ Liveryman, said:  “This not only a proud moment but a huge opportunity to salute the UK’s amazing designers who have a global reputation for excellence and punch well above their weight, a sector growing at over 10% per year.

“Our 12 year campaign, now enshrined in law, means that the intentional infringement of a registered design is now a crime and this is a significant step forward. We’re now even more determined to carry on until all design theft has criminal provisions to act as a real deterrent.

“Post Brexit we have a unique opportunity to update UK unregistered design rights giving UK designers a positive advantage after we leave the EU. Generally, the Alliance for IP will seek all opportunities to work collaboratively with Government in future IP negotiations. Yesterday, we welcomed the Minister’s commitment to fighting IP theft in all its forms and supporting the hard work of our creative industries”.

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