Attire Accessories - Dec 2017/Jan 2018 (Issue 67)

12 ATTIRE ACID COMPLETES BREXIT POSITION PAPER SURVEY Design & IP campaigning body, Anti Copying in Design (ACID) has completed a survey, the results of which will form the basis of a design sector Brexit Position Paper shortly. Following case study evidence submitted to the UK Intellectual Property Office and the requirement for further analysis of the Brexit and IP issues that UK lone, micro and SME designers face, the most interesting results were the following: • 100 per cent were unanimous that post-Brexit, if they lose EU Community design protection they want a new UK unregistered design protection created that will mirror EU protection and last 15 instead of three years (similar to current UDR) but also give protection for a combination of lines, contours, shape, ornamentation, colour, texture, materials, similar to EU UDR. • 90 per cent think that copying is intentional. • 99 per cent were slightly concerned to very concerned about the potential loss of EU unregistered and EU registered design protection in 27 other member states. ACID is calling for the need to preserve the EU Unregistered and Registered Designs Rights post Brexit and is continuing to press Government for the need to introduce criminal provisions for infringement of UK Unregistered Design Right to act as a real deterrent against copying. Nick Kounoupias ACID’s Chief Counsel said, “Lone, micro and SME designers who rely on unregistered design rights face a potentially calamitous situation if EU Unregistered Design rights are not preserved.” ACID Ambassador Rob Law, MBE Managing Director of Trunki said, “My company Magmatic t/a Trunki designs and manufacturers children’s travel products. We employ 80 people. Our turnover is approx £8.5 million generated by products protected by registered and unregistered design. If we lose protection of our EU UDR in 28 member states, and are unable to enforce our rights, we predict approximately 25 per cent of our sales could be lost.This could effectively quarter our turnover and lose approximately 20 per cent of our workforce.” ACID CEO Dids Macdonald, OBE., said, “It comes as no surprise that there’s a great deal of uncertainty amongst designers and above all we want to ensure that this very important subject is kept on high radar with Government.” For more information on design and intellectual property protection, visit the website acid.uk.com Disney Couture rebrands as Couture Kingdom Disney Couture UK, the distributor of licensed Disney jewellery, has undergone a business overhaul that includes a change in trading name and logo. The business now trades as Couture Kingdom UK, and will be able to utilise the recognisable Disney logo in their branding. Over the next few months, there’ll be a transition to new packaging and POS materials, as well as the introduction of two new collections, Disney Princesses and Precious Metals. The company’s retail website has been relaunched with a fresher, more contemporary look and a stronger identity to reflect the designs which are based on Walt Disney’s classic movies and famous characters.The rebrand is designed to offer greater clarity and instant peace of mind to customers about the authenticity of the company’s popular range of officially licensed jewellery. According to Company Director, Tom Coulter, “The new logo pays subtle homage to the familiar crown used in the original Disney Couture branding. However, we felt it was time for a more updated look to attract our target audience of 18 to 35-year- old female Disney fans. The makeover also aims to enhance the appeal of our products to our strong gifting customer base of all ages, who’ll be looking for the perfect Disney- themed present.” The West Midlands- based supplier has more than 60 stockists, including high profile retailers such as The Disney Store, Goldsmiths Boutique and Watch Shop. Couture Kingdom UK has retail opportunities for stores all over the UK. Its magical 14ct gold-plated collections have RRPs ranging from £18 to £95. To view the collection, visit couturekingdom.co.uk