Intellectual Property Fundamentals: Safeguarding Brands, Designs and Innovation

In today's competitive giftware market, creativity and distinctive products are often what set businesses apart. Whether you're developing new product ranges, creating original artwork, or building a recognisable brand, understanding intellectual property (IP) is an important step in protecting your business and maximising the value of your ideas.

This webinar will introduce the key forms of IP most relevant to your businesses: trade marks, copyright and design protection. While providing an overview of all three rights, the session will place particular emphasis on design protection, helping attendees understand how their product designs may be protected and what options are available when bringing new products to market.

Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, we'll explore how different IP rights can work together to protect products, branding and creative content, as well as common issues faced by businesses in sectors where design and originality are key commercial assets.

By attending this webinar, you will:

• Understand the differences between trade marks, copyright and design rights.
• Learn what types of business assets each IP right can protect.
• Gain a clearer understanding of registered and unregistered design protection and when each may apply.
• Identify the steps that can help protect product designs before and after launch.
• Understand the role of trade marks in protecting brand names, logos and other distinctive brand elements.
• Learn when copyright may arise and how it can support protection for creative works.
• Recognise common risks associated with copying and infringement.
• Avoid common misconceptions in the design industry.

This session is ideal for business owners, product designers, brand managers, product developers and anyone responsible for bringing new products and brands to market.

SPEAKERS

CHRIS HAWKES

Chris Hawkes is a Director at Stobbs with extensive expertise in trade marks, copyright, design rights and brand protection. He co-leads the designs practice at Stobbs, which has been recognised as UK Design Firm of the Year 2025 and 2026 by Managing IP. He has also been recognised as an individual leader in the field.

ROSANNA MORELLO CARRIERI

Rosanna Morello Carrieri is a Manager at Stobbs, specialising in global IP portfolios. She has extensive experience in strategizing on and protecting cross-border IP assets. Rosanna co-leads the designs practice at Stobbs, which has been recognised as UK Design Firm of the Year 2025 and 2026 by Managing IP. She has also been recognised as an individual leader in the field.