The protection of designs and intellectual property in the electronics industry

Protection of designs and intellectual property in the UK electronics industry is examined, with particular attention given to integrated circuit designs. It is noted that at the present time in the UK, observers and all interested parties are asking whether recent legislation, particularly with regard to the protection of industrial designs, has yet achieved the right balance between promoting maximum use of innovative concepts and fair protection of the rights of the creator of intellectual property for an appropriate initial period. If not, it should be expected that more items will be added to the recent legislation.<>