UK design fee to come into effect 01 October 2016

This reduction was foreshadowed earlier this year in the UK government's response to a public consultation on whether to change the regime of official fees for UK registered design applications and granted UK registered designs.

It is now known that, subject to the government implementing the necessary legislation, the reduction in official fees will come into effect on 1 October 2016.

Inter alia, the official renewal fees (payable every five years) will be reduced:

Actions for design right owners

This presents a planning opportunity for proprietors of existing UK registered designs which are coming up for renewal later in 2016.

Assuming that the renewal fee falls due on or after 01 October 2016, you may wish to avoid paying the renewal fee early (at the existing, higher rate) and delay paying until after the renewal fee reduction has come into force.

For further advice or information, please do contact a member of the D Young & Co design team.