Your Voice Matters: Help Transform the UK’s Design Protection System
05 Sep 2025
Following our recent article explaining the importance of design protection for jewellers, the Government has today launched the comprehensive consultation we previewed – offering new opportunities for Britain's jewellers to help shape how they protect their creative work.
The 12-week consultation seeks to modernise and simplify the complex system that currently protects designs across the UK's £100 billion creative economy, including the jewellery and allied trades sector.
Building on Our Previous Guidance
As we explained in our earlier article, jewellers currently navigate a complex patchwork of different design rights – registered designs, unregistered designs, supplementary unregistered designs, and copyright protection.
Each operates differently, with varying terms and requirements, making it challenging for small businesses to understand how to protect their work effectively.
This consultation now gives the jewellery sector, alongside other creative industries, the chance to influence how we can simplify and improve this system.
Ben Massey, CEO of the National Association of Jewellers, welcomed the launch:
"The jewellery and allied trades sector is built on creativity and original design, and we welcome this consultation to strengthen design protection. From intricate hand-carved pieces to cutting-edge CAD systems, our industry thrives on craftsmanship and original thinking. Strong, accessible design protection helps our creative community flourish with confidence."
What we’re proposing
The government is proposing options specifically designed to prevent design theft – a critical issue for jewellery makers whose intricate designs are often copied. New digital application formats will allow jewellers to submit video files and CAD designs, making it easier to showcase animated elements like rotating gemstones or mechanical watch movements.
1. Simplifying complex processes
Currently, jewellers must navigate a complex patchwork of different design rights, which can be challenging for small businesses without legal representation. The consultation proposes options to consolidate the unregistered design system and replace the current confusing array of protections, making it far easier for independent jewellers to understand and use the system.
2. Supporting designers and small businesses
Recognising that most jewellery businesses are small enterprises, the consultation explores creating a small claims court track for design disputes, making legal protection more accessible and affordable. Extended confidentiality periods of up to 18 months would allow jewellers more time to prepare their collections before competitors can see registered designs.
3. Addressing post-Brexit challenges
The consultation aims to tackle the practical difficulties many UK jewellers have faced since Brexit, particularly around product launches at international trade fairs. New proposals could allow designs disclosed at major European jewellery shows to still receive protection in the UK, addressing what the government acknowledges has created "much complexity, expense and uncertainty" for the sector.
4. Fighting anti-competitive behaviour
The government recognises that some applicants are registering designs for well-known jewellery products they don't own, then using these registrations to prevent legitimate businesses from trading online. New "bad faith" provisions could give the Intellectual Property Office clear powers to reject such applications, protecting genuine jewellers from unfair competition.
Your Voice Matters
The consultation specifically seeks input from designers, design businesses, and legal professionals across all creative sectors. For jewellers, this represents a unique opportunity to influence changes that will directly impact how you protect your creative work and business interests.
The National Association of Jewellers strongly encourages all members and industry professionals to participate in this consultation. Your experiences of the current system's complexities, challenges with design theft, and practical needs as small business owners are exactly the insights the government needs to create a fit-for-purpose system.
How To Respond
The consultation runs until Thursday 27th November and is open to all businesses and individuals with an interest in design protection. You don't need to answer every question – focus on areas most relevant to your business experience.
Whether you're an independent jewellery designer, a family business, or part of a larger manufacturer, your perspective on how the current system works and what changes would make the biggest difference matters.
This is your chance to help shape a system that could benefit creative businesses for decades to come, maintaining Britain's position as a global leader in jewellery design and innovation.
Find out more and respond to the consultation
The consultation follows NAJ's recent educational article on design protection options for jewellery manufacturers. Members can access additional guidance and connect with others who have experience using design rights through the NAJ network.
Source: Intellectual Property Office