ACID, (Anti Copying in Design) has formed a trade association partnership with the Lighting Association (LA) to help raise the profile and value of IP among its members.

This move is part of an on-going campaign by ACID to actively support trade organisations pan industry. Through IP education – how to protect your designs and how to integrate IP as part of a corporate or marketing strategy – ACID will advise LA members on creating a safe trading environment by safeguarding their design equity when tendering or pitching for business.

Says Peter Hunt, CEO of the LA, “We are committed to raising awareness of UK design and protecting it within the lighting industry. As both a designer and manufacturer I am acutely aware of the issues surrounding IP theft and I am committed to encouraging all our members to become IP aware. We are delighted to be joining forces with ACID – now we can offer our members a real chance to develop their own IP strategies.”

Adds Dids Macdonald, CEO of ACID, ‘The design and interiors industry is supported by influential trade organisations including the LA – the second to take advantage of ACID’s Trade Associations module. The module is bespoke according to the market sector and includes a discounted group membership fee, seminars, tailored IP advice through regular web and newsletter features, standard tender agreements, and IP clinics plus over 30 ACID membership benefits including IP legal advice and the use of the free ACID design bank. I strongly advise any trade association who is committed to design protection and IP education to talk to ACID”.

ACID will be present at the Lighting Association Awards on June 18th 2008 and will start its series of IP seminars with ‘DESIGN – Protect it, or Forget it!’