ACID (Anti Copying In Design) is proud to announce that the London Design Festival has recently become an ACID Event Partner. It is a great pleasure for ACID to be associated with such a prestigious and creative event, which has been running since 2003 and, which has now become one of the world’s most important annual design happenings.

Visitors to the festival’s information point, found at the Victoria & Albert museum, may pick up an ACID leaflet. The ACID team is happy to support all members exhibiting at the festival, and they may call the ACID hotline number 0845 644 3617 to speak directly to a member of the ACID team should any assistance be needed.

ACID members please let us know if you are taking part in the festival (dawn.perry@acid.uk.com)

More on the London Design Festival here: www.londondesignfestival.com

Best wishes from ACID for a fruitful and inspired festival!

The Alliance Against IP Theft is a unique coalition of trade and enforcement organisations, providing a single voice for those who share an interest in preventing intellectual property theft in the UK.

On her appointment Macdonald said, “There has never been a more important time, in The Alliance’s impressive history, to play a key role in its future and particularly now that its resonance is being heard loudly and clearly across the entire IP landscape. I look forward to representing the issues and interests of all the Alliance’s members, who are varied and diverse, but unified in the recognition of IP as a positive force for the UK’s growth strategy.

Whilst we await Government’s response following the Hargreaves’ Intellectual Property Review recommendations, it is timely that design has finally been acknowledged as a key contributor to the UK economy. Latest figures confirm that UK businesses as a whole invest £65 billion in IP creation of which £23 billion is spent specifically on design. The tide cannot change too soon to see tangible evidence from Government that the creative and knowledge economies will provide that vital conduit providing growth and employment.”

Outgoing Vice-Chair ACG Director General Ruth Orchard said, “The Anti-Counterfeiting Group will of course continue to be an active member of the Alliance and I look forward to supporting Dids as she picks up the challenge! I know that, for her part, she will ensure that the interests of all Alliance members continue to be well-represented; not least those of brand owners in their continuing fight against the global threat of counterfeiting.”

Over the last decade ACID has been a prime mover and champion in raising awareness about issues on behalf of the UK’s designers. A key recommendation from the Hargreaves Review is that there should be a significant improvement in the role of IP in supporting this important branch of the creative economy.

DESIGN FOR GROWTH SUMMIT

At a ‘Design for Growth’ Summit held at the Design Council over 150 representatives from the world of design, government and industry, and hundreds more online, heard Universities and Science Minister David Willetts confirm that, “Design forms an integral part of the Government’s plans for innovation and growth and it will be a prominent feature in our upcoming Research and Innovation strategy. Good design can help business to thrive and improve public services and with over 230,000 people employed in our design industry it makes a significant contribution to our economic wealth with £23 billion spent on UK design in 2009. It is great that Jonathan Ive of Apple and other world leaders in design are here to inspire the next generation of British designers. ‘Design for Growth’ brings together leaders in design, business, policy and education to discuss measures to stimulate growth in the economy.”

Alongside Jonathan Ive, Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple, at the Summit, other guest speakers included Ian Callum and Gerry McGovern, Design Directors at Jaguar and Land Rover and Kevin McCloud, author, broadcaster and designer.

David Willets continued, “The UK has a world class design sector and we need to maintain our role as a global leader, which is why we have continued to support the Design Council by investing £4 million.  In line with the Government’s Plan for Growth, the Design Council will refocus its design mentoring product, Designing Demand, on manufacturing firms and particularly those with advanced manufacturing capability.”

Minister of State for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk said, “It is great news that a number of small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses will be given the chance to have free design mentoring over the next year. Companies must innovate and stay ahead of their rivals to be successful on a global scale. That is why we are making these crucial investments in industrial innovation. Today’s announcement is just part of a range of business mentoring opportunities to help small firms grow and prosper. We will shortly be launching a new network of business mentors which will help SMEs get advice from those who know best.”

Attending the event, Dids Macdonald, ACID’s CEO said in response to Mark Prisk MP’s statement that there was a need to strengthen IP rights within design, “I welcome the fact that this is the first time I have heard design and intellectual property mentioned by a Government Minister as a significant objective within the design sector.  Professor Hargreaves’ Report on Intellectual Property exposed a huge loophole and a lack of clear policy on IP within design. I would like to ask you and the group whether there is support for the creation of a UK Intellectual Property Tsar to match a similar initiative in the USA? President Obama has confirmed US intellectual property as its greatest single asset; shouldn’t we do the same in the UK?”

Yesterday’s publication of the UK’S Intellectual Property Hargreaves Review finally recognised designs’ significant contribution to the UK’s GDP. Professor Ian Hargreaves has made it known that he cannot understand why design has been neglected as a big chunk of the UK’s economic success. He will be urging Ministers to ensure that the UKIPO is held accountable to create constructive IP policy to help the UK’s designers, many of whom are SME’s. This will be music to the ears of small firms and, more specifically, to UK’s designers who often find themselves out on a limb. At a time when design companies need all the help they can get in fighting IP theft, we hope that the Government will act positively on these recommendations. Despite 6 IP reviews over 4 years, very little has been done to help small firms within the creative industries. It is now time to address the costs and complexity of enforcing intellectual property rights within the UK by the setting up of a fast track small claims IP court. SME’s will also be helped by improving access to specialised services to protect, exploit and commercialise their IP. All of these issues were raised in ACID’s submission to the review.

Dids Macdonald, CEO of ACID representing over 1000 UK designers and manufacturers said, “Creative design pioneers are among the champions of the UK economy and they deserve to be protected and supported. There is a need for IP policy now that walks the walk, not talks the talk, with a real cost and time- effective enforcement framework. Dissuasive damages are needed to act as a real deterrent.  This report goes some way in acknowledging the issues faced by designers but I seriously question the necessity for further research into assessing the relationship between design rights and innovation. The consultation culture has to stop – the real work must begin with tangible implementation and a change of deliberate policy by those who take the fast track to market through design theft”.

Announcing the publishing of the Hargreaves Review at the Alliance Against IP Theft Conference, Business Secretary Rt. Hon. Dr. Vince Cable MP said, “This is not the end of our thinking about IP and growth. It is the beginning of turning thinking into doing.”

The Hargreaves Review highlights research which states that SME’s felt there were too many services available and it was difficult to choose the right one. Some said they could not tell which services were reliable or trustworthy but the majority indicated that they would be interested in having access to an intermediary who could provide basic advice on IP in place of a legal advisor – something that ACID has been doing for the past 15 years effectively! With a UKIPO budget of 69.4 million in 2010, Hargreaves said, “The IPO undoubtedly has the potential to improve the availability of IP services to SME’s though it will need to consider the balance of benefits between direct provision from its own staff and working with a well organised network of intermediaries. To accomplish either of these things effectively and on a sustained basis will require greater clarity in the IPO’s mandate and an evolution in its culture.”

The report did not recognise ACID’s arguable case for Design right to be on a par with other property rights – such as copyright and unregistered trademarks. Copying should be considered a crime, as copyright infringement is, they are the same ‘species of rights’ but the sanctions are different. This leads to widespread poor practice. Ideas are stolen from pitches, or from trade fairs, the point of entry to the market for most businesses. Unlike their EU counterparts, exhibition organizers in the UK don’t take a tough stance on IP infringement

The full report is available on the IPO website

The top ten recommendations can be viewed here

DESIGNING THE FUTURE – WHY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) PROTECTION MATTERS?

WIP Day (26th April 2011), saw the launch of ACID’s (Anti Copying in Design) IP Tracker a simple, cost effective digital method of tracking delivery of IP led and confidential information. It is a natural electronic addition to the already successful ACID Design Data Bank which holds over 350,000 copies of unregistered designs. All too often, design ideas and new product designs are stolen at the vulnerable stage of sending them to third parties. The IP Tracker, reinforced by the powerful ACID brand, will be an additional tool of self help ensuring a further layer of IP awareness. Initially discussed in 2007, the process was only developed recently, after ACID Member and designer John Coleman’s feedback indicated that there was an increasing need for an electronic sending service which would underpin the user’s IP Rights without appearing threatening or unattractive to a potential client or collaborator.

It is timely that World Intellectual Property Day’s 2011 theme recognizes the importance of design’s significant impact on every aspect of our lives. Design is the catalyst for innovation and a key driver of competitive edge; it is everywhere, shaping tomorrow’s future. Launching WIPO Day 2011 Francis Gurry, Director General of WIPO said, “Industrial design helps companies to differentiate their products from those of competitors and enhance brand image of their products. This is why ensuring the proper protection of industrial designs is so important.”

ACID ambassador and designer Sebastian Conran, commenting on the ACID IP Tracker said, “An unintended consequence of digital technology is the dissemination & theft of identities, ideas and designs… Proving ownership of IP is the foundation of protecting it; and the ACID IP Tracker provides unequivocal dated evidence for files in digital transit – simply, efficiently and effectively.”

Using the ACID IP Tracker will ensure that graphic designs, drawings, submissions to tender, responses to brief and indeed any other confidential intellectual property (IP) rights based information sent to a third party has the safeguard of evidence of confirmed delivery for the sender with a copy held by ACID. The service automatically acknowledges delivery of information and the recipient confirms their acceptance of confidentiality of content and the terms of agreement when accessing the file. The ACID IP Tracker will cost £3.50 per transmission for ACID members, £5.00 for non members.

Dids Macdonald, ACID’s CEO said, “Most micro enterprises and SME’s cannot afford to go all the way to Court over infringement, so the most important element of IP protection is a deterrent and preventative strategy, particularly when sending sensitive information to a third party. Importantly, providing receipted evidence of sending reverses the burden of proof and makes it easier to take action.”

Anti Copying in Design’s recent IP poll indicates that 89.7% of designers believe IP infringement to be deliberate and blatant.

Supporting ACID’s submission to the IP Review, ACID Ambassador Sebastian Conran said, “Design is an unsung hero in the UK economy. Original design leverages value, but this takes investment and it needs to be protected”. An independent review into intellectual property (IP) and growth commissioned by the Prime Minister issued a call for evidence in October 2010 on how the IP system can best support growth. Professor Ian Hargreaves, leading the review, said, “We must ensure the UK has an IP system that drives innovation and growth. This review will identify the barriers to growth and, where they exist, work out how to remove them. The review will set out short-term improvements that could be made as well as a long-term vision for the IP system”.

ACID has welcomed the opportunity to respond to the UK Review into Intellectual Property and Growth to raise awareness about, in particular, the difficulties which affect the UK’s designers in accessing hands-on, practical, sector-led IP advice and information to help them maximise, protect and commercialise their IP. There is also the serious issue of the uncertainty experienced by micro firms and SME’s in effectively enforcing IP infringement.

In its comprehensive submission, ACID has used 8 case studies (out of 450+) to highlight the various IP issues affecting micro firms and SME’s within the creative industries. Another area on which ACID has concentrated is the disparity for IP rights owners. Unlike copyright infringement, if a design is stolen no criminal offence has been committed; the designer’s only recourse is under civil action. This gives rise to anomalies and inequality of treatment which are very damaging to hundreds of small businesses and designers across the UK.

Dids Macdonald, ACID’s CEO said, “I believe if design infringement becomes a criminal offence it may change and influence current board strategy in some major high street retailers to think again about condoning product piracy and using the veil of “inspiration” of the innovative products of others to create their own versions for tomorrow’s retail shelves”.

The Intellectual Property Review will report back to the Prime Minister in April 2011.

Read the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Group Letter to Professor Hargreaves

ACID (Anti Copying in Design) has formed a trade association partnership with The National Bed Federation to help raise the profile and value of intellectual property (IP) within the bedding sector. This move is part of an on-going campaign by ACID to actively support trade organisations pan-industry.  Through IP education – how to protect designs and integrate IP as part of a corporate marketing plan – ACID will advise the Bed Federation on IP issues which affect the sector.

Says Jessica Alexander, Executive Director, National Bed Federation, “I am delighted we have been invited to join ACID as a Trade Association Partner.  Intellectual Property infringement is an issue which has affected many members and I hope our new partnership with ACID illustrates our commitment to fighting design theft and raising awareness about the positive aspects of brand protection and commercialisation. The move is timely with the current Review on Intellectual Property commissioned by the Prime Minister and the NBF will be fully supporting ACID’s submission to the Review”.

Dids Macdonald, CEO of ACID, said, ‘The National Bed Federation is the 5th trade association to take advantage of ACID’s Trade Associations module.  Our trade partnership scheme is bespoke according to specific market sectors 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.”

The winners of the New Design Britain competition were unveiled during an awards ceremony, which took place on 24th January at Design Interiors 2011.

The prestigious jury panel included representatives from ACID, Evening Standard, Fromental and Willis & Gambier. The winners were chosen in four categories: furniture, fabrics, surface coverings and textiles. The Barjis New Rug Design competition represented the flooring section of the show.

The New Design Britain 2011 winning designs are, according to category:

Furniture – Peg Leg by Benjamin Boyce

Surface Coverings – The Clusters by Elaine Ng Yan Ling

Flooring – Coming Home to Roost by Jessica Penrose (on left)

Accessories – Iris lamp pendants by Alex MacMaster

Textiles – Buildings in Cross by Henoc Maketo

Phil Hunter, interiors brand director, who presented the awards, says of the competition: “We are proud to support young design talent by recognising its most gifted representatives. interiors is a great platform for new design, product development and innovation across the interiors spectrum. The fantastic quality of the shortlisted entries, and a great passion behind the designs, gives us confidence about the bright future of the interiors industry.”

Among the competition prizes were an annual ACID membership and internships with Barjis, Ercol, Fromental, Mark Hutchison Furniture and Marks & Spencer. The winner of Barjis New Rug Design will also embark on a week-long trip to China where their winning rug design will be manufactured.
Jennifer Jones also secured a placement at the National Trust, Textile Conservation Studio, thanks to presenting a progress she made from winning the Fabrics category at interiors 2011 to being a winner of the New Rug Design competition at interiors 2011.

The Textile Conservation Studio Manager, Ksynia Marko, said: “We see this as an opportunity for the graduate to come into close contact with historic textiles from which they will gain design inspiration and understanding of textile conservation. We are very pleased to support new designers and commission Jennifer’s designs.”

Benjamin Boyce, the winner of furniture category commented on the award: “The New Design Britain competition is a great opportunity for all the finalists to present their work to the top industry professionals who visit interiors. The show’s been great for us and it’s the best place to make new contacts with both fellow designers and people from big companies who are interested in our projects.”

The New Design Britain competition ran alongside Design Interiors 2011, the largest UK exhibition for the interiors industry. The third edition of the competition will be part of interiors 2012, taking place from 22-25 January 2012. The call for entries opens in May 2011.

Following a cease & desist letter from ACID Accredited law firm, McDaniel & Co, ACID Members Burgon & Ball have protected their trade mark against infringement by Dutch owned Vanderschoot after discovery of the offending mark. Vanderschoot was using the mark without permission on their own planter, the Salad Planter, a product which was being imported into Garden Centres in the UK.

Shortly after the exhibition, Burgon & Ball discovered that large scale bulb supplier Vanderschoot, were potentially infringing their UK trade mark No: 2487749 for the mark ‘HOME ALLOTMENT’ in class 20 covering in particular ‘Planters of Wood, Planters of Plastics Materials and Planters of Wood and Plastics Materials’. The mark is commonly used on one of Burgon & Ball’s most popular and award winning ranges, the ‘Home Allotment’ range of planters.

Burgon & Ball are well known in the garden ware industry for selling high quality, durable and beautifully designed products. Following the successful settlement, Kelly Hudson of McDaniel said, “Burgon & Ball were determined to protect their market and resolved to take whatever action was required to do so. This matter demonstrates the effectiveness of a cease and desist letter and it will be seen by those within the industry as a key component of Burgon & Ball’s new wider strategy to ensure effective IP protection and enforcement. Growing popularity and a valued reputation mean that Burgon & Ball need to take effective action such as this immediately to stamp out IP infringements.”

ACID’s CEO Dids Macdonald added, “Following Burgon & Ball becoming members at GLEE, an ACID Accredited exhibition, meant that ACID and McDaniel & Co. were able to act quickly when the infrigement arose. Burgon & Ball’s IP message is clear, they will protect their brand at all costs.”

View the Burgon & Ball website

Honoury ACID member Adam Aaronson has been at the heart of British studio glass for more than 25 years years and was one of the driving forces behind ACID’s launch as an anti copying organisation some 15 years ago.  Specialising in free blown glass, his work experiments with self-taught methods and painterly techniques including abstract patinas. In recent years Adam has been developing larger scale organic forms within his iconic ‘Landscape’ series.

“I am always fascinated by the ever-changing patterns and colours that are created by the play of light on water. Living beside the Thames, I love watching the river and am completely inspired by its constant response to the changing light.” (Adam Aaronson)

The ‘Reflected Light’ series was developed in early 2011, inspired by the beauty of waterscapes and landscapes, made diverse by the nature of light upon them; creating reflections, abstractions and shadow. Each of Adam’s artwork surfaces is created as a canvas, depicting a shimmering moment of reflection, capturing river and sea, coastline and forest, as light passes over and through. Glass contains its own dynamic of reflection and refraction, and Adam’s work pays the utmost attention to the organic form of each sculpture, celebrating the natural flow and force of molten glass and leaving behind traditional requirements for functionality.

“Aaronson applies layer upon layer of color over the metal leaf, but the reflective under surface endows the works with a subtle luminosity.  The swirling, not-quite-chaotic painterly effects range from Rouault-Soutine-deKooning-like impasto to a granular dispersal of color reminiscent of the atomized color of Monet’s late water lily murals.” (Peter Morrin, Director Emeritus, The Speed Art Museum, Louisville, Kentucky)

Adam’s glass artwork has been exhibited internationally and at prestigious institutions nationally including Blackwell Arts and Crafts House, Bowness-on-Windermere, and Broadfield House Glass Museum, Kingswinford, West Midlands. Adam’s work can always be viewed at ZeST Contemporary Glass Gallery, London.