Following the Spring exhibition season the ACID team thought it would be good idea to share their experiences and offer some tips and guidance to ensure that any new product ranges are protected!

Exhibitions can be the most exciting venues for meeting new customers, re-connecting with existing customers and meeting fellow exhibitors but it can also be a vulnerable arena where some are on the lookout to copy. To bring a new product or range to market is an expensive and time consuming process so a little forethought about your precious IP is worth it! Imitation and copying is NOT flattering, it can cost livelihoods if someone marches away with your new designs.

Start by being “IP SAVVY” – know your © from your design right and your trade marks from your patents! 

FREE ACID NO PHOTOGRAPHY SIGN – Each exhibitor at an ACID Accredited exhibition receives a “NO PHOTOGRAPHY” sign. Display it and use it! Not only does it send a deterrent warning shot but it also reinforces that this is a No Photography Fair. Read our recent article here and ensure that you are on the look-out for visitors who have cameras at hip level looking at trends.

DON’T ALLOW PHOTOGRAPHY! – Remember with phone cameras, your designs can be sent across the world in seconds and mass-produced before you even pack up your stand! So take control of who photographs your work, ask them why and note down their contact details. Only allow authorised photography and if it’s a problem, insist that organisers support you. After all, you pay thousands to rent your stand space and exhibition organisers build their reputations on your innovation.

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE COPIED, SAY SO! There’s no more powerful message on your website/marketing material or put a statement on your stand. Something along the lines of: “All the intellectual property in our designs belongs to (your name). Any infringements will be pursued seriously”. If you discover a copy of your designs at an exhibition and you don’t have a DATED design audit trail or evidence to support your work, it is almost impossible to take legal action or complain effectively to the show organisers.

SHOUT ABOUT COPIES – “Can you spot the difference?” Using social media effectively can be a useful platform for exposing your original and an alleged copy and getting immediate results. With the advent of social media it can take moments to erode the reputation of brands that produce lookalikes. But be careful! If you make a groundless threat and accuse someone of copying and in the fullness of time it proves otherwise, in the UK you can be sued yourself. Always seek some professional advice. Gaining public support by shouting about unfairness and a blatant disregard for design originality is what many are starting to do. Such as the Trunki campaign #ProtectYourDesign.

TAKING SOMEONE TO COURT ISN’T AS EXPENSIVE AS IT USED TO BE! – For relatively small IP disputes (£10,000 or less) if you have to take legal action it doesn’t necessarily cost a fortune and there is access to inexpensive justice through a new small claims track.

And finally … LOOK OUT FOR ACID ACCREDITED EXHIBITIONS – Where ACID will be in attendance to offer help and advice with one of our legal affiliate teams who will also deal with any onsite intellectual property issues.