The recently-passed Intellectual Property Act 2014 in the UK is supposed to help UK businesses better protect their rights in the UK and abroad. The Act received Royal Assent on 14 May 2014 and the provisions it contains will start coming into force from 1 October 2014. The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has produced "Business guidance on changes to the law on designs", a 20-page pamphlet which is intended to help designers and design business understand how the law will be changing. This pamphlet can be downloaded here. Says the UKIPO:

"If you have any questions on the guidance please contact: DesignsReviewTeam@ipo.gov.uk"

Class 99 urges its readers to do exactly that, and hopes that the MARQUES Designs Team will also give their close attention to this short and potentially important document (important because many designers are likely to rely upon it as legal advice notwithstanding the usual disclaimer).

The UKIPO mentions that it is committed to improving its services for customers, adding:

"Please let us know if you interested in taking part in forthcoming IPO designs customer research and improvement activities. If so, please contact Arthur West, Tel: 01633 8143987, Email: arthur.west@ipo.gov.uk".

Class 99 urges prospective customers to participate: the UKIPO is an unusually user-friendly and helpful public agency and really does care -- even if it may appear to be just one small cog in a large and apparently unsympathetic government machine.