A UK registered design is a right available by application at the UK designs registry. In order to be registered a design must be new and have individual character.
Protection subsists in the whole or part of a product (including a component part) resulting from the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or materials of the product or its ornamentation.
The rights given to the registered proprietor are equivalent to those under the European Community Registered Design system and apply to both intentional copying and independent creation of the design.
The UK registered design system includes a 12 month 'grace period' for disclosures made by the designer. The application for registration must be made within 12 months from the earliest public disclosure of the design.
The registration, when granted, lasts for a period of 5 years from the filing date and may be renewed every 5 years by payment of renewal fees up to a maximum of 25 years. After this 25 year period protection expires.
