When you create a new design and show that design to the public you can benefit from two types of design right.
European design right: This right is created automatically when you show the design to the public and is valid in all states of the European Union. This right lasts for 3 years from the date of the first showing to the public. Further information can be found on this right on the page on the Brand Protect LLP website called "Community unregistered designs"
UK design right: If the designer is a British citizen or a citizen of the EU (and certain other countries) and creates a design then on creation the designer receives copyright protection for the design. However, if the designer then goes on to exploit more than 50 copies of a product made to the design then, in the UK, he is deprived of the copyright protection and in return he receives unregistered design right. This protection lasts for 25 years. For further information on UK design right look at our page called "UK unregistered design right"
