AIPLA Comments to UK IPO on Designs Framework Consultation

Arlington, VA. November 25, 2025 - The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments in response to the UK IPO’s Designs Consultation published in September 2025 (the “Consultation”).

 AIPLA’s comments address several proposals, including the UKIPO’s proposals related to its search and examination system, registrability of graphical user interface and animated designs, and protectability of computer-generated designs without a human author. The comments urge the UKIPO to maintain its current search and examination system, which AIPLA views as providing for cost-effective registered design protection. As for graphical user interface and animated designs, the comments support the UKIPO’s proposal to amend the Registered Designs Act’s definitions of “design” and product” to encompass digital designs explicitly. The comments also encourage the UKIPO to consider amending the Registered Designs Examination Practice Guide to improve the predictability of registering animated GUI designs, by removing the requirement that “any and all views presented [for an animated sequence] be visually related that is they must have features in common.” Finally, and significantly, the comments urge the UKIPO to consider removing existing protection for computer-generated designs without a human author, to align with other intellectual property offices, like the USPTO.

Click to the right to read the complete comments.