The National Trust has recently joined Anti Copying in Design (ACID), to lend their support to the organisation’s mission of encouraging original design work. ACID is the leading UK and IP membership and campaigning body committed to raising awareness and encouraging respect for IP.

With more than 300 stores and an online shop, the National Trust’s retail range is an important income generator, funding the work the conservation charity undertakes to protect the special places in its care. Their intellectual capital, of which intellectual property plays a key role, is paramount.

Releasing four collections a year, the National Trust’s in-house designers seek inspiration from the range of properties and the natural environment, in the charity’s care.  Each print is unique to the charity and represents national treasures that are being preserved for everyone to enjoy.

Dids Macdonald, OBE., CEO of ACID, commenting on the National Trust joining ACID said, “We are delighted that National Trust is supporting Anti Copying in Design not only to help protect their own in-house designs but as advocates of the original design of others. From writers to fabric designers, photographers to painters, the protection of their intellectual property is paramount.”

Laura Vincent, Senior Retail Designer for the National Trust said, “It is so important to us as a design team to know that our original and authentic prints are protected. So much research and time goes into sourcing the locations to inspire our designs, developing the print and in capturing the unique stories behind them. It is important that organisations like ACID can help ensure the authenticity of connection to our charitable activities is protected.”

The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three people who saw the importance of our nation’s heritage and open spaces, and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy.  More than 120 years later, these values are still at the heart of everything the conservation charity does.

Entirely independent of Government, the National Trust looks after more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 775 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. More than 20 million people visit every year, and together with 5 million members and over 62,000 volunteers, they help to support the charity in its work to care for special places for ever, for everyone.

For more information and ideas for great seasonal days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk