ACID nominated as first-ever UK IP champion

ACID was nominated as the first-ever UK IP Champion at the first Alliance for Intellectual Property British IP Day, held on Tuesday (July 5) in Westminster.

This award recognises a person, organisation or campaign that has shown excellence in the promotion or protection of IP (Intellectual Property).

ACID (Anti Copying in Design) began informally in 1996 as a round table action group and has developed into a not-for-profit trade organisation representing thousands of designers within the creative industries.

On being presented with the award by the Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Neville Rolfe, ACID ceo Dids Macdonald OBE said: “This is not only a proud moment but a huge opportunity to salute the UK’s amazing designers who have a global reputation for excellence and punch well above their weight.

“Our 12-year campaign, now enshrined in law, means that the intentional infringement of a registered design is now a crime and this is a significant step forward. We’re now even more determined to carry on until all design theft has criminal provisions, to act as a real deterrent.

“Post-Brexit we have a unique opportunity to update UK unregistered design rights, giving UK designers a positive advantage after we leave the EU.

“Generally, the Alliance for Intellectual Property will seek all opportunities to work collaboratively with government in future IP negotiations.

“Yesterday, we welcomed the Minister’s commitment to fighting IP theft in all its forms and supporting the hard work of our creative industries.”

Pete Wishart MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Intellectual Property said: “It’s vital that MPs from across the political spectrum understand the importance of IP and how it drives economic growth and jobs in every constituency across the country.”