Have you seen your designs copied and not been able to do anything about it?

Are you concerned that your business may be guilty of design infringement?

Do you worry about spending money on protecting designs when you are not sure how much protection it is really giving you?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then help is at hand. The UK government is presenting a once in a generation opportunity to reform UK design laws and make them more suitable to protect Britain's design community. But you need to get involved and be sure to have your say.

The first stage is very important because it will set the framework for how the laws may be changed. This is a Call for Evidence which the government has published and which asks for responses by 11 November 2011. Time is short.

The areas the government has asked for more information on are:

1. Do you register your designs in the EU or the UK?
2. If you do not register your designs, why not? What other methods do you use to protect them?
3. Is the legal system too complex?
4. What is your experience of enforcement of design rights? How could things be improved?
5. Design rights, investment and incentives for innovation

There is the possibility that a completely new form of design protection may emerge, like the unfair competition claims which can be brought in many other European countries.

The government is very keen to hear directly from all who have an interest, and not simply from trade bodies. So there is a real chance to shape the debate and achieve an outcome which really helps you and your business. The Call for Evidence can be accessed here.

We are also planning to hold a workshop where participants can dicsuss and exchange their views, if there is sufficient interest. Please contact Julia Weiss if you would like to register your interest.