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Design is at the heart of innovation – and robust legal protection for design rights is vital for design-led businesses across all sectors.

Our top-ranked IP team has a dedicated Design Law Group focusing on the protection and commercialisation of designs in the UK and abroad. We offer support across the full lifecycle of designs, from initial product clearance to filing strategy, design portfolio management, tackling counterfeit and copycat products, advising on exploitation and licensing opportunities, and working with customs authorities to stop infringing imports from entering the UK market. We can help maintain and grow the value of your design portfolio while protecting your business from those who seek to trade off your design innovation and success.

We help businesses of all sizes navigate the complex UK legal framework of designs and to devise pragmatic and cost-effective protection strategies, avoiding the loss of valuable design rights as a result of Brexit. We are acutely aware of the challenges facing design businesses operating across the UK/EU border, and we closely monitor this evolving legal landscape to ensure our advice is practical, forward looking and future-proof. 

Our Design Law Group includes members of our market-leading trade mark, patent, copyright and IP litigation teams. Through this combined experience, we offer a full suite of IP expertise to support your product development and enforcement strategies. What set us apart is not only the range, depth and quality of knowledge and experience, but also our ability and determination to understand your business and the key commercial drivers surrounding your products and brands.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Award
    Winner: Design Firm of the Year (Europe)
    Managing IP Awards 2024
  • Quote
    "The CMS team understands the underlying complexities and produces high-quality work in line with our desired outcomes. The team demonstrates a good breadth of skills and experience across different types of IP work."
    Intellectual Property, UK - London, Chambers & Partners, 2023
  • Quote
    "It is really a pleasure to work with CMS. They are well organised, their team is engaged, they have a proactive approach and their advice is invaluable."
    Intellectual Property: Trade Marks, Copyright and Design, UK - Solicitors, London, Legal 500: 2022

Explore more

CMS Brand Forum

CMS Brand Forum

30 Sep 2025
CMS and IPDefine Announce Global Patent Initiative

CMS and IPDefine Announce Global Patent Initiative

16 Nov 2023 3 min read
Registered Designs (UK)

Registered Designs (UK)

28 Jun 2023 1 min read
European Designs Case Law Round Up

European Designs Case Law Round Up

24 Apr 2023 1 min read
EU Design Rights - Frequently Asked Questions

EU Design Rights - Frequently Asked Questions

11 Apr 2023 1 min read

Events

  • United Kingdom
    19 Aug 2026

    equIP Connect | From Setbacks to Scale-ups: Navigating Start-up Challenges

  • United Kingdom
    11 Sep 2026

    equIP Connect | Glasgow to Global: Expanding into International Markets

  • United Kingdom
    16 Sep 2026

    Anatomy of an Investigation

  • United Kingdom
    17 Sep 2026

    ERA Ready?

Local market knowledge. Global outlook

We provide future-facing legal advice to help your organisation thrive. Combining local market knowledge and a global perspective, and with lawyers in locations worldwide, your organisation benefits from the expertise it needs, even across borders.

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