Designs

Design protection is not merely concerned with appearance; it is a legal mechanism for preserving the distinctive visual characteristics that define a product’s identity.

In many sectors, features such as shape, configuration, pattern and ornamentation carry significant commercial value and can influence consumer choice as strongly as technical performance.

Securing design rights requires careful navigation of complex statutory frameworks, variations in national and regional law and strategic decisions regarding scope and timing. Each element, from a subtle contour to a unique surface treatment, can also be determinative in establishing registrability and enforceability. Effective protection ensures that these design elements remain exclusive, mitigating the risk of imitation and safeguarding competitive advantage.

We have deep designs expertise in these sectors

THE HAGUE SYSTEM

EUROPEAN DESIGN RIGHTS

UK DESIGN RIGHTS

Talk to our designs experts

John Addiss

Partner, Patent Attorney

Urs Ferber

Partner, Patent Attorney

Jan Rether

Partner, Attorney-at-law under German law

Caroline Hart

Senior Associate, Lawyer

Why Choose Us?

At Mewburn Ellis, we don’t just file design patents, we craft strategies that protect and amplify your innovation. Our specialists based in both the UK and Germany combine technical precision with commercial insight, ensuring your designs are protected across jurisdictions and aligned with your business goals. With decades of experience and a reputation for excellence, we help clients turn creativity into competitive advantage by delivering:

Specialist Design Expertise – Extensive experience in all aspects of design law, including registered and unregistered design rights.
Strategic Design Filing – Advice on timing, jurisdictions, and scope to maximise protection for your product’s visual identity.
Global Design Coverage – Extensive expertise in UK and EU design law, as well as international treaties such as the Hague System, combined with experience collaborating with specialist attorneys across jurisdictions to ensure optimal protection.
Design Enforcement & Defence – Proven track record in handling infringement disputes and defending your designs against challenges.
Integrated IP Strategy – Combining design protection with patents and trade marks for a holistic approach to safeguarding innovation.
Sector-Specific Insight – Expertise across industries where design is critical, including consumer goods, tech and automotive.
Future-Proofing Your Designs – Guidance on maintaining and renewing design rights to keep your competitive edge.

Read our designs blogs

Beyond the Courtroom - enforcing registered designs on online market places

by Caroline Hart

In today’s digital-first retail landscape, enforcing registered designs doesn’t always require a courtroom battle. Platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay offer streamlined takedown procedures that ...

Design Protection: Why it matters even when appearance isn’t everything

by John Addiss

It’s easy to see why design protection is valuable in industries like fashion, furniture, or consumer goods, where customers buy products based on appearance. But in technical fields, such as medical ...

Fee increases at the UKIPO on the horizon

by Robert Watson

The UKIPO announced on 5 November 2025 that their fees will increase from 1 April 2026, subject to receiving parliamentary approval. This marks the first significant increase in many years: patent ...

Why Registered Design Protection is Essential for Your Business

by John Addiss

When we talk about intellectual property, most people immediately think of patents and trade marks. But there’s another equally powerful right that is often overlooked: registered designs.

Design rights can build IP protection, EU Lego ruling shows

by Jan Rether

Featuring in Law360, Christoph Moeller explores the recent EU Lego ruling and how it serves as a significant reference point for understanding the interplay between technical functionality and design ...

EU design protection rules modernised for new technologies and circular economy

by Jan Rether

On 14 March 2024, the European Parliament approved modernised EU design protection rules to adapt to technological advances and the drive towards a sustainable economy. These updated rules now extend ...

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Designs Rights: A powerful tool in the IP armoury

Special Report 2026

This report provides a framework for understanding and leveraging design rights within your intellectual property portfolio. It explores the types and scope of protection offered by design rights, their strategic value, and key considerations for registration and filing location.

VIEW REPORT HERE

Mewburn Ellis

FORWARD MAGAZINE

Mewburn Ellis Forward is a biannual publication that celebrates the best of innovation and exploration. Through its pages we hope to inform and entertain, but also to encourage discussion about the most compelling developments taking place in the scientific and entrepreneurial world. Along the way, we’ll engage with the IP challenges that international organisations face every day.