ACID welcomes government’s Creative Industries Sector Vision

Intellectual property lobby group Anti Copying in Desing (ACID) has welcomed the government’s announcement to grow the UK creative industries by £50 billion by 2030 through the Creative Industries Sector Vision.

The plans, which were launched on 13 June by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have been developed with industry via the Creative Industries Council, and will aim to create one million extra jobs.

ACID said: “For too long, the dialogue has been about fintech so it’s right that there is a sharp focus on the creative industries and its social and economic value being championed as a vehicle for growth. While we welcome focus on the fashion sector and admire funds for the circularity campaign, design is often misunderstood as aesthetic only. Design is an integral part of the creative industries and its reach spans advertising, architecture, arts, crafts, fashion, film, music, performing, arts, publishing, software, toys, games, tv, radio and video. All of which provide jobs for nearly two million people.”

Dids Macdonald OBE, CEO of ACID, said: “It is also true that the design economy and design thinking permeate all government departments providing rational problem-solving processes as well as groundbreaking innovation in all areas. From health to agriculture and defence to transport, design consistently provides groundbreaking solutions. I call on government to provide a level plaining field for all designers. Currently there is a disparity between copyright and unregistered design rights in both term and protection. The IP rights underpinning this important sector is critical.”