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“I used to be a successful product designer; producing hand-painted, decorative accessories for top interior designers. A huge problem quickly became apparent – theft. Every new design we created was blatantly copied by larger companies without any hope of redress. Much like the vast majority of Britain’s now 1.9 million design companies, the majority are lone, micro and SME and I was in no position to singlehandedly confront these shameless thieves and copycats.
Today, ACID represents thousands of designers. We proudly stand on the frontline of the ongoing battle against design theft and strive to help promote design-originality as a genuine route to a creator’s growth. We are a united front; offering assistance and recourse to designers wherever possible. The ACID community grows larger and stronger every day and we are determined to fight for designers to have their voices heard.”
Dids Macdonald OBE, CEO & Co-Founder
“I used to be a successful product designer; producing hand-painted, decorative accessories for top interior designers. A huge problem quickly became apparent – theft. Every new design we created was blatantly copied by larger companies without any hope of redress. Much like the vast majority of Britain’s now 1.9 million design companies, the majority are lone, micro and SME and I was in no position to singlehandedly confront these shameless thieves and copycats.
Today, ACID represents thousands of designers. We proudly stand on the frontline of the ongoing battle against design theft and strive to help promote design-originality as a genuine route to a creator’s growth. We are a united front; offering assistance and recourse to designers wherever possible. The ACID community grows larger and stronger every day and we are determined to fight for designers to have their voices heard.”
Dids Macdonald OBE, CEO & Co-Founder
“I used to be a successful product designer; producing hand-painted, decorative accessories for top interior designers. A huge problem quickly became apparent – theft. Every new design we created was blatantly copied by larger companies without any hope of redress. Much like the vast majority of Britain’s now 1.9 million design companies, the majority are lone, micro and SME and I was in no position to singlehandedly confront these shameless thieves and copycats.
Today, ACID represents thousands of designers. We proudly stand on the frontline of the ongoing battle against design theft and strive to help promote design-originality as a genuine route to a creator’s growth. We are a united front; offering assistance and recourse to designers wherever possible. The ACID community grows larger and stronger every day and we are determined to fight for designers to have their voices heard.”
Dids Macdonald OBE, CEO & Co-Founder
For a quarter of a century, ACID have been committed to raising awareness and encouraging respect for IP, with an emphasis on creating the safest possible trading environment for its members.
ACID membership gives you access to a thriving online community with a wide range of benefits, services and educational self-help tools to protect your business from the devastating impact of design-theft.
ACID Membership provides self help tools to support your IP Rights, tried & tested over 25 years.
Use the Member of ACID Logo to show you are aware of your rights and have support from a leading organisation
Gain access to five specialist legal teams ready to provide advice on any IP issues that may arise, with a free initial period of legal advice for every separate legal query.
Feature your business in our Member Focus and raise your profile through our wide reaching media platforms. ACID Marketplace provides you with a personal store front to market your designs & products.
ACID’s seminars, events and FAQ’s are an invaluable source of information and available in the Member Area. Knowledge is Power.
Regular news updates straight to your inbox, the ACID Magazine and our News Desk will keep you on top of all IP matters affecting you and your business
We speak to Government, key influencers and policy makers to ensure that the best possible IP enforcement framework is in place to allow IP creators’ ideas to be monetised to achieve growth.
ACID’s Spot the Difference section and through our social media, case studies and articles highlights the prevalence of infringements.
When freelance furniture designer Simone Brewster designed a cabinet for Swoon, she received no further correspondence, so naturally assumed that Swoon Editions had decided not to use her designs. However, when she later discovered that Swoon had not only used her designs without permission, but had begun to produce and actively market them, it was time for action.
In our Spot the Difference gallery, we have showcased our members’ stories of senseless design theft – highlighting examples of original design and the legal cases that have ensued from blatant copies.
Our remit, as well as supporting the ACID community with education and awareness, deterrence, prevention, and support, is to be a strong and resolute voice to communicate to Government and policy makers on intellectual property issues which affect designers. Through campaigning, lobbying and advocacy, we’re proud to have made our mark within the legislative agenda.
Law
ACID’s 20 years of campaigning culminated in the 2014 IP Act making the intentional infringement of a Registered Design a criminal offence, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Litigation
We successfully campaigned for the introduction of a Small Claims Track within the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court to enable small claims of less than £10,000.
Parliament
ACID also lobbied for the creation of the role of Minister of Intellectual Property and we are now one of the few countries in the world to have one.
Resolution
There have been 1000s of settlements, over 4000+ mediations and through the awareness of ACID and many others, design is no longer an unsung hero in the UK economy.
"A culture that values and respects intellectual property is one where ideas flourish and their progenitors are fairly rewarded. We need bodies like ACID to create, maintain and police that culture."
"A culture that values and respects intellectual property is one where ideas flourish and their progenitors are fairly rewarded. We need bodies like ACID to create, maintain and police that culture."
Presenter of Grand Designs
ACID member @gawrjuhsart is now being stocked in the National LGBTQ+ Museum - @QueerBritain. Greetings cards you can gift with PRIDE! Derek Green, said, "As a gay graphic artist, I’m honoured to have my work on sale in a space that is so important to the UK’s LGBTQ+ community” https://t.co/bGlfgwH03j Read More
ACID is proud of all designers in supporting our submission on Calls for Views to the @The_IPO earlier this year. The Governments response below👇 Featured: @greshamltd Read👉 https://t.co/JyfIuU67Zs Read More
Her Majesty the Queen. A legend in our time. Rest in eternal peace. With thanks to the talented artist: @etomlinson_art https://t.co/TKkKu8do3X Read More
ACID Magazine 74 OUT NOW📰 Have you experienced the new ACID website? 👉Member Hub-one-stop shop for all your membership needs 👉Take the ACID test 👉One smooth step to use the IP Databank 👉Not signed the IP Charter?👉 👉https://t.co/F7yfYFcEXO https://t.co/fUDVyxnPyY Read More
Exciting Member News 🙌 We met up with ACID members @cardologyltd at @SpringAutFair who had received, in collaboration with @Battersea_, the People's Choice Award 2022 Gift of The Year by @The_GA_UK Congratulations👏 https://t.co/UiLPj77gBa Read More
We have had a great time meeting our members exhibiting & new designers at @SpringAutFair. ACID legal affiliates @IP_DOCTOR are still here to answer your burning #IP questions. Hall 6 Stand H17. https://t.co/6Y3kHwXqSW Read More
Great to speak with ACID member @artcuts and see their fantastic products again. Having a great time at @SpringAutFair with @IP_DOCTOR at @thenec https://t.co/s7yOotKn5Q Read More
We've had a great 3 days so far at @SpringAutFair with @IP_DOCTOR chatting to members and meeting new designers. Featured here, the wonderful T'art Designs. https://t.co/Q6rOem1dlr Read More
📰ACID Magazine 74 OUT NOW📰 📢Guest Editor, ACID's new Ambassador Rupert Welch of @robertwelchuk kicks off his appointment as a voice for ACID's campaigning writing with letters to Ministers asking for governmental support for design law reform 👏 👉 https://t.co/17NAJbr2eY Read More
ACID & @The_IPO join forces to help jewellery #designers better protect their designs with ACID legal affiliates @TheDesignLawyer & @IPDoctor panel discussion @JewelleryShowUK @ExcelLondon 11am 6/9 With a special clip of @DidsMacdonald introduction. 👉 Read More
Ready to say NO to copying? Become an ACID IP Charter signatory TODAY! As a valued part of our design community, you will receive newsletter and IP news updates straight to your inbox to educate & inspire. Go to to find out more & sign. https://t.co/ourcePjDmV Read More
ACID member @_LoveYourHome supplies homes with beautiful furniture designs & quality to last a lifetime. Your home is the heart of your lifestyle & family, it deserves furniture which compliments how you wish to live. On top of that, they source their materials sustainably too! https://t.co/0gwUb6B2Br Read More
