Registered Designs Act 1949

Registered Designs Act 1949 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 21 September 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

s. 11AB heading words inserted by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. A1(5) (as inserted) by S.I. 2019/1245reg. 16 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The affecting statutory instrument has no legal effect. It was made under a procedure which meant that it ceased to have effect 28 days after signing unless it was debated and approved in Parliament within that time. It was not debated and approved within 28 days, so it has expired with no effect.)
s. 11AB(1) word inserted by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. A1(2)(a) (as inserted) by S.I. 2019/1245reg. 16 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The affecting statutory instrument has no legal effect. It was made under a procedure which meant that it ceased to have effect 28 days after signing unless it was debated and approved in Parliament within that time. It was not debated and approved within 28 days, so it has expired with no effect.)
s. 11AB(1) words inserted by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. A1(2)(b) (as inserted) by S.I. 2019/1245reg. 16 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The affecting statutory instrument has no legal effect. It was made under a procedure which meant that it ceased to have effect 28 days after signing unless it was debated and approved in Parliament within that time. It was not debated and approved within 28 days, so it has expired with no effect.)
s. 11AB(6)(a) words inserted by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. A1(3) (as inserted) by S.I. 2019/1245reg. 16 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The affecting statutory instrument has no legal effect. It was made under a procedure which meant that it ceased to have effect 28 days after signing unless it was debated and approved in Parliament within that time. It was not debated and approved within 28 days, so it has expired with no effect.)
s. 11AB(8) word inserted by S.I. 2019/93, Sch. 1 para. A1(4) (as inserted) by S.I. 2019/1245reg. 16 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The affecting statutory instrument has no legal effect. It was made under a procedure which meant that it ceased to have effect 28 days after signing unless it was debated and approved in Parliament within that time. It was not debated and approved within 28 days, so it has expired with no effect.)
s. 22(1) words substituted by 2014 c. 18s. 9(3)
s. 24G(5) omitted by S.I. 2019/638Sch. 8para. 7 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Sch. 8 para. 7 omitted immediately before IP completion day by virtue S.I. 2020/1050, regs. 1(2), 25)
s. 27(1)(a) words inserted by 2014 c. 18s. 10(3)
s. 27A amendment to earlier affecting provision 2007 c. 15 s. 143(2) by 2013 c. 22Sch. 9para. 49 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 143, which prospectively inserts s. 27A, was repealed without ever being in force (6.4.2015) by 2014 c. 18, s. 10(11); S.I. 2015/165, art. 3)
s. 27A inserted by 2007 c. 15s. 143(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 143 repealed without ever being in force (6.4.2015) by 2014 c. 18, s. 10(11); S.I. 2015/165, art. 3)
s. 27A(4) - (6) omitted by 2013 c. 22Sch. 9para. 21(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 143, which prospectively inserts s. 27A, was repealed without ever being in force (6.4.2015) by 2014 c. 18, s. 10(11); S.I. 2015/165, art. 3)
s. 28 repealed by 2007 c. 15s. 143(1)Sch. 23Pt. 6 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 143 repealed without ever being in force (6.4.2015) by 2014 c. 18, s. 10(11); S.I. 2015/165, art. 3)
s. 37(2) words inserted by 2014 c. 18s. 9(6)
s. 37(3) words repealed by 2007 c. 15Sch. 23Pt. 6 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Words already repealed (6.4.2015) by 2014 c. 18, s. 10(5); S.I. 2015/165, art. 3)
s. 44(1) words repealed by 2007 c. 15Sch. 23Pt. 6 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Words already repealed (6.4.2015) by 2014 c. 18, s. 10(4); S.I. 2015/165, art. 3)

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

s. 22(1)(aa) and word inserted by 2014 c. 18s. 9(2)
s. 22(5) inserted by 2014 c. 18s. 9(4)
s. 22(6) (7) inserted by 2014 c. 18s. 9(5)

Introductory Text
Registrable designs and proceedings for registration
1. 1.Registration of designs.
2. 1A.Substantive grounds for refusal of registration.
3. 1B.Requirement of novelty and individual character.
4. 1C.Designs dictated by their technical function.
5. 1D.Designs contrary to public policy or morality.
6. 2.Proprietorship of designs.
7. 3.Applications for registration.
8. 3A.Determination of applications for registration.
9. 3B.Modification of applications for registration.
10. 3C.Date of registration of designs.
11. 3D.Appeals in relation to applications for registration.
12. 4.Registrable designs and proceedings for registration
13. 5.Provisions for secrecy of certain designs.
14. 6.Registrable designs and proceedings for registration
1. 7.Right given by registration.
2. 7A.Infringements of rights in registered designs.
3. 7B.Right of prior use
4. 8.Duration of right in registered design.
5. 8A.Restoration of lapsed right in design.
6. 8B.Effect of order for restoration of right.
7. 9.Exemption of innocent infringer from liability for damages.
8. 10.Effect of registration,
9. 11.Cancellation of registration.
10. 11ZA.Grounds for invalidity of registration.
11. 11ZB.Applications for declaration of invalidity.
12. 11ZC.Determination of applications for declaration of invalidity.
13. 11ZD.Modification of registration.
14. 11ZE.Effect of cancellation or invalidation of registration.
15. 11ZF.Appeals in relation to cancellation or invalidation.
16. 11A.Powers exercisable for protection of the public interest.
17. 11AB.Powers exercisable following merger and market investigations
18. 11B.Effect of registration,
19. 12.Use for services of the Crown.
20. 12A.Application of the Act to certain registered Community designs
21. 12B.Application of the Act to certain international designs
1. 13.Orders in Council as to convention countries.
2. 14.Registration of design where application for protection in convention country has been made.
3. 15.Extension of time for applications under s. 14 in certain cases.
4. 15ZA.Accession to the Hague Agreement
1. 15A.The nature of registered designs
2. 15B.Assignment, &c of registered designs and applications for registered designs
3. 15C.Exclusive licences
4. 16.International Arrangements
1. 17.Register of designs etc.
2. 18.Certificate of registration.
3. 19.Registration of assignments, etc.
4. 20.Rectification of register.
5. 21.Power to correct clerical errors.
6. 22.(1) Where a design has been registered under this Act.
7. 23.Information as to existence of right in registered design.
1. 24A.Action for infringement
2. 24B.Exemption of innocent infringer from liability
3. 24C.Order for delivery up
4. 24D.Order as to disposal of infringing articles, &c
5. 24E.Jurisdiction of county court and sheriff court
6. 24F.Rights and remedies of exclusive licensee
7. 24G.Meaning of “infringing article”
8. 24.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9. 25.Certificate of contested validity of registration.
10. 25A.Privilege for communications with those on the special list of professional designs representatives
1. 26.Threats of infringement proceedings
2. 26A.Actionable threats
3. 26B.Permitted communications
4. 26C.Remedies and defences
5. 26D.Professional advisers
6. 26E.Supplementary: pending registration
7. 26F.Supplementary: proceedings for delivery up etc.
1. 27.The court.
2. 27A.Appeals from decisions of registrar
3. 27B.Persons appointed to hear and determine appeals
4. 28.The Appeal Tribunal.
1. 28A.Opinions on designs
1. 29.Exercise of discretionary powers of registrar.
2. 30.Costs and security for costs.
3. 31.Evidence before registrar.
4. 31A.Power to require use of forms
5. 32.Powers and Duties of Registrar
1. 33.Offences under s. 5.
2. 34.Falsification of register, etc.
3. 35.Fine for falsely representing a design as registered.
4. 35ZA.Offence of unauthorised copying etc. of design in course of business
5. 35ZB.Section 35ZA: enforcement
6. 35ZC.Section 35ZA: forfeiture in England and Wales or Northern Ireland
7. 35ZD.Section 35ZA: forfeiture in Scotland
8. 35A.Offence by body corporate or partnership: liability of officers or partners
1. 36.General power of Board of Trade to make rules, etc.
2. 37.Provisions as to rules and Orders.
3. 37A.Use of electronic communications
4. 38.
1. 39.Hours of business and excluded days.
2. 40.Fees.
3. 41.Service of notices, etc., by post.
4. 42.Annual report of registrar.
5. 43.Savings.
6. 44.Interpretation.
7. 45.Application to Scotland
8. 46.Application to Northern Ireland.
9. 47.Application to Isle of Man.
10. 47A.Territorial waters and the Continental shelf.
11. 48.Repeals, savings, and transitional provisions.
12. 49.Short title and commencement.
1. SCHEDULE A1Grounds for refusal of registration in relation to emblems etc.
  1. 1.Grounds for refusal in relation to certain emblems etc.
  2. 2.Grounds for refusal in relation to emblems etc. of Paris Convention countries
  3. 3.Grounds for refusal in relation to emblems etc. of certain international organisations
  4. Paragraphs 2 and 3: supplementary
    1. 4.(1) For the purposes of paragraph 2 above state emblems.
    1. 5.In this Schedule— “a Paris Convention country” means a country.
    1. 1.Use of registered designs for services of the Crown.
    2. 2.Rights of third parties in respect of Crown use.
    3. 2A.Compensation for loss of profit.
    4. 3.Reference of disputes as to Crown use.
    5. 4.Special provisions as to Crown use during emergency.
    1. PART 1 Existing registered Community designs
      1. 1.Designs registered as Community designs to be treated as registered under the Act
      2. 2.Entries to be made in the register in relation to designs treated as registered under this Act
      3. 3.Opt out
      4. 4.Effect of claim of priority
      5. 5.Unregistered pre-exit transfers
      6. 6.Pre-exit licences to continue to have effect in the United Kingdom
      7. 7.Security interests in existing registered Community designs
      8. 8.Continuity of rights in relation to an existing registered Community design
      9. 9.Pending proceedings concerning an existing registered Community design
      10. 9A.Existing registered Community design: effect of invalidity
      11. 10.Effect of injunction protecting an existing registered Community design
      1. 11.Applications for registration pending immediately before IP completion day
      2. 12.(1) Where a person who has filed an existing EU.
      1. 13.Designs registered at the EUIPO immediately before IP completion day where publication is deferred
      2. 14.(1) This paragraph applies where the proprietor of a deferred.
      1. 15.Application of Part
      2. 16.Renewal of registration of an expired Community design
      1. 17.Restoration of registered Community design to the RCD register
      2. 18.Restoration of application for registered Community design
      1. 19.Interpretation
      2. 20.References in this Schedule to an “Article” are to an.
      1. PART 1 Existing international designs
        
        1.International designs in respect of which the European Union is designated to be treated as registered under the Act
        
        2.Entries to be made in the register in relation to designs treated as registered under this Act
        
        3.Opt out
        
        4.Effect of claim of priority
        
        5.Unregistered pre-exit transfers
        
        6.Pre-exit licences to continue to have effect in the United Kingdom
        
        7.Security interests in protected . international registered designs (EU)
        
        8.Continuity of rights in relation to a protected international registered design (EU)
        
        9.Pending proceedings concerning a protected international registered design (EU)
        
        10.Effect of injunction protecting a protected international registered design (EU)
        
        11.(1) In this Part references to a “pending international design.
        
        12.(1) Where the holder of the international registration to which.
        
        13.Application of Part
        
        14.Renewal of registration of an expired international design
        
        15.Interpretation