From cracking down on copycats, seizing the creative advantage and the rise of AI, Dids Macdonald OBE, the co-founder of Anti Copying in Design (ACID), explains why it’s time for the UK furniture industry to rethink its approach to intellectual property …
The furniture sector is the most copied sector in the UK – as many will know to their cost. As design-led businesses increasingly trade online, and as competitor manufacturers race to mirror bestselling products, the rise in lookalike and copycat activity has become both more visible and more damaging. This hurts those who invest in original design and whose skills and expertise acts as a differentiator in a crowded market.
With the closure of the IPO Designs Consultation, for which ACID had campaigned for over 10 years, there are growing calls for far-reaching, robust deterrents, and the message is clear – this sector must be more vigilant than ever.
These reforms include punitive damages for culprits and directors, held to account in a call for the intentional infringement of an unregistered design to become a crime. After all, intellectual property (IP) is a property right, and stealing property is a criminal offence.
Furniture is particularly vulnerable because originality is often expressed through form and functionality, comfort and ergonomics, aesthetics, materials and craftsmanship, structure and stability proportion and sustainability, rather than overt branding. These nuances are easy to photograph, replicate and distribute globally at speed.
Online marketplaces and social platforms have further fuelled the problem, enabling infringing products to reach consumers quickly, often at lower prices that undercut legitimate innovators. Without strong protection and swift action, original designers face erosion of brand value, lost sales and weakened confidence to invest in innovative ideas.
Many leading businesses recognise that IP is not an afterthought, but a strategic asset. Protecting designs through registered and unregistered design rights, trademarks, and copyright, where applicable, creates both a legal shield and a commercial signal – this business values originality and will defend it.
Clear documentation of the design process, dated records and professional photography can all strengthen enforcement. Just as importantly, education across teams, from idea to marketplace, ensures everyone understands what makes a product distinctive and how to spot potential infringement early.
This year of constant IP headlines has also shone a spotlight on Artificial Intelligence. AI offers exciting opportunities for the furniture sector – faster concept generation, improved visualisation, mass customisation, and more efficient marketing. Used responsibly, it can help brands innovate, reduce waste, and respond more closely to consumer needs.
However, AI also carries real risks. Training models on unlicensed designs, unknowingly reproducing protected designs, or allowing automated tools to blur the line between inspiration and imitation can expose businesses to legal and reputational harm. A clear AI policy, grounded in IP awareness and ethical use and practical training for teams is now essential.
By campaigning for stronger deterrents, raising awareness and offering practical, down-to-earth advice, ACID helps businesses focus on growth rather than constant firefighting. Its proven success in mediating disputes within the furniture sector is a powerful example. By bringing disputing sides together early, the time, cost and stress associated with litigation is vastly reduced, often achieving pragmatic, best-practice solutions that allow businesses to move forward.
Creating an IP strategy should be seen as a positive, proactive step. It clarifies ownership, strengthens partnerships, reassures investors, and sends a clear message to the market that originality matters. ACID is here to help at every stage, from prevention to intervention, with a track record of campaigning, collaboration and real-world results.
The call to action for the sector is simple but urgent – sign ACID’s IP and AI Charter here. By doing so, businesses publicly commit to respecting and protecting design rights, fostering a fairer, more innovative marketplace. In a sector where copying is rife, collective vigilance can turn IP protection into a shared strength rather than a solitary burden.
