News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 21 September 2011
The Government
today launched a call for evidence on how the UK intellectual
property system can better support our globally successful design
industry.
At an event hosted by the Design Council, Baroness Wilcox urged
the UK’s design community to gather information and data on what
makes our design industry tick and what Government can do to
support innovation and growth.
The lack of evidence available on this innovative sector was
highlighted by Professor Ian Hargreaves in his review of
Intellectual Property and Growth. In its response, the Government
committed to gaining a better understanding of whether the design
rights system in the UK is geared to the needs of business.
Design is important to the UK economy, with an estimated £33
billion invested in design and architectural services in 2008. But
there are questions about whether the design industry is properly
supported by the Intellectual Property system.
To help answer these questions, and properly target and inform
policy change, the Government has today issued a 'call
for evidence' in relation to the design sector and
launched a supporting online questionnaire/survey aimed at
business.
Minister for Intellectual Property Baroness Wilcox said:
“UK design has an excellent reputation. From fashion to aerospace
and from graphic design to technology, the UK design industry is
held in high regard across the world. However, we must maintain
that excellence and the Government is committed to doing more to
support the design industry. I urge the business community to
participate in this call for evidence and help shape the future of
design in the UK.”
At the same event, Baroness Wilcox announced the publication of
the first phase of research into the use of design rights in the
UK. The research shows that the most intensive spenders on design
in the UK are business services, manufacturing and construction
sectors. Relative to other countries in Europe the UK spends
significantly on design related products and services; but there
is very low awareness of design rights. The research also found
that registered design rights are used mainly in specific business
sectors, such as furniture and clothing.
These reports are available via the IPO web-site www.ipo.gov.uk/pro-ipresearch/ipresearch-right/ipresearch-right-design.
Notes to editors
1. The full Government response to the Hargreaves Review, along
with the IP International Approach and IP Crime Strategy are
available on the IPO website www.ipo.gov.uk.
2. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is within the
Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS) and is
responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property
rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
3. Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages
innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and
users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the
foundation of the knowledge-based economy.
4. It operates in a national and an international environment and
its work is governed by national and international law, including
various international treaties relating to Intellectual Property
(IP) to which the United Kingdom is a party.
5. The Design Council CABE places good design at the heart of
social and economic renewal. As a centre of new thinking and
insight into the role of design in innovation, it is one of the
world’s leading design organisations. For more than 60 years, it
has sought to provide evidence and demonstrate how design can help
build a stronger economy and improve everyday life through
practical projects with industry, public services and education.
6. The Design Council CABE is a charity, incorporated by Royal
Charter, that promotes design and architecture for the public
good. For more information please visit: www.designcouncil.org.uk
7. ‘Digital Opportunity: A review of intellectual property
and growth’ is available on the review website www.ipo.gov.uk/ipreview.
8. A full copy of the Government response to the Hargreaves
Review is available on the IPO and BIS website, www.bis.gov.uk and www.ipo.gov.uk.
9. For further information, please contact Dan Palmer on 0207 215
5303 or e-mail communications@ipo.gov.uk
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Dan Palmer
Phone: 020 7215 5303
dan.palmer@bis.gsi.gov.uk