The Government has announced a major overhaul of the UK designs system, for the country's 80,000 design businesses. The announcement on 4 November 2026 is the formal response to an Intellectual Property Office (IPO) consultation that closed in November 2025.

What is changing

The IPO is to get new powers to consider whether a design is genuinely new and has "individual character" before registration, and the Government will also consider powers to refuse bad-faith applications. Registered design cases will be heard in the IPEC Small Claims Track for the first time, with compensation claims capped at £10,000.

There will also be a new 30-month deferment period, aligning with the EU and Hague systems, and the law will be clarified so designs including animation, movement or transitions can qualify for registered protection, with moving-image filing options.

Not law yet

This is an announced package, not yet law: GOV.UK states legislation will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

Sources: GOV.UK, designers to get stronger and simpler protection in major reforms, 4 November 2026; Business Magazine, UK design protection reforms.