Designplus, the new knowledge and business development network for design professionals, was officially launched at an inaugural event held on May 12 at Kingston University. At the ‘Protecting Design’ Seminar, designers, inventors and academics heard a panel of legal and industry experts examine the range of legal and practical options available to protect intellectual property rights. One of the speakers, Paul Sheedy, reported on the long, arduous and expensive road to protecting the design of his Woosher straw currently being developed for Disney. Other speakers included: Brian Lucus, Dids MacDonald, Margaret Briffa, Paul Sheedy and David Bunting

An interesting fact raised at the Seminar was that 86% of all copyright breaches are believed to occur following trade shows and exhibitions. With technology rapidly increasing the speed at which ideas can be transmitted, copied and manufactured in low cost labour markets, it has become increasingly vital for designers to establish appropriate protection and also swiftly enforce their rights.

David Bunting from Baylis Brands PLC, told the meeting that from two-hundred ‘patentable’ ideas only one might eventually make it into production.

Event Overview:

Challenging and demanding subject matter

Range of speakers

Case-studies and works in progress

Transfer of design expertise

• Brian Lucas (Lucas Associates):

The plain facts of Intellectual Property

Problems and pitfalls

Methods of protection

• Dids MacDonald (ACID):

Combating design theft

Maximising earning potential by licensing design

• Margaret Briffa (Property Law):

Examined two separate case-studies

Ideas for young designers (keep records & a diary, hoard design ideas)

Advantages to registered design

• Paul Sheedy (Designer):

Experience from the designer’s POV

Problems with registering design ideas

Clauses, red-tape, bureaucracy, raising funds

Banks and venture capitalists

• David Bunting (Trevor Baylis Foundation):

Helping inventors benefit from their ideas

The development process

Prove the technology then the market

Producing and selling the product

Identify & protect the IPR as soon as possible

Minimise the need for second-round funding

Maximise the number of ideas that can be successful

WestFocus Members: