The Society of British and International Design (SBID) launched the SBID Intellectual Property (IPP) initiative on Tuesday 21 November 2017 at the House of Commons, Westminster London. The launch was to mark the new campaign to prevent IP theft in the interior design industry. Developed in association with TM – Eye, with the central aim of assisting the industry to obtain objective evidence of design ownership, the venture updates the archaic discourse on intellectual property in design and will raise awareness of what designers need to do to properly protect their work.
The launch was attended by key industry stakeholders, both in the design arena but also in legislation and policing including, Harold Tillman CBE, Past president of the British Fashion Council, Suzi Sendama, Associate from Mishcon de Reya LLP and Detective Chief Superintendent, Peter O’Doherty from the City of London Police who spoke about the impact and scope of Intellectual Property crime on design rights.
Supported by the Intellectual Property Office, Police Intellectual Property Unit and the Department of International Trade, SBID announced plans to launch an IP register which will allow design owners to register their ideas from inception, giving them the confidence and support they need to bring a criminal charge against IP theft.
