Design right
Design right gives you automatic protection for the internal or external shape or configuration of an original design. Design right allows you to stop anyone from copying the shape or configuration of the product, but does not give you protection for any of the 2-dimensional aspects, for example patterns.
You can protect 2-dimensional designs using copyright or registered designs.
Design right lasts either 10 years after the first marketing of products that use the design or 15 years after creation of the design, whichever is earlier. For the first 5 years you can stop anyone from copying the design. For the rest of the time the design is subject to a License of right. This means that anyone is entitled to a licence to make and sell products copying the design.
Your design right will only give you protection in the United Kingdom (UK).
Some disputes concerning design right can be referred to us.
Does design right give protection abroad?
No. Unlike copyright, design right is effective only in the United Kingdom.
Protection may be available in other countries under, say, petty patent or registered design systems, but usually any protection will not be given automatically and must be applied for.