The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched its consultation on changes to the UK designs framework, building on a survey from earlier this year and Call for Views in 2022.

This consultation seeks views from designers on how to improve the UK designs system and ensure that it best supports UK businesses.

UKFT is urging UK fashion and textile companies to respond to the consultation because the UK design system is being reviewed to make intellectual property rights easier to navigate and enforce, particularly for SMEs. This input will help shape a framework that better protects creativity, supports growth and strengthens our sector’s competitive position.

UKFT will respond on behalf of the industry but the IPO wants to hear directly from businesses and designers too.

Paul Alger MBE, Director of International Business at UKFT, said: “Design protection is vital for the UK’s creative fashion and textiles sector, particularly as new technologies like AI create fresh challenges for protecting creative work. The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) welcomes this consultation and is committed to working with the IPO to ensure robust design rights and effective protection mechanisms that support UK creatives and help build a world-class design rights framework.”

The deadline for responses is 27 November 2025.

FIND OUT MORE AND RESPOND HERE