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Simplification of UK design protections could weaken rights holders’ defenses

By Douglas Clarke-Williams ( September 10, 2025, 08:50 GMT | Comment) -- Proposals to simplify the UK's legal framework for unregistered designs are raising concern over the potential for rights holders to be left with a narrower path to protect their designs. While the existing system of four separate ways to assert protection appears complex, simplifying it could lead to the unintended consequence of giving lawyers fewer options to help defend rights holders.Plans to overhaul the UK's design rights framework, launched last week, include streamlining the protection for unregistered designs. But individuals and companies that rely on the current system to protect their creations could find that a simpler approach means fewer options for enforcement....

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