A KIDDERMINSTER lawyer has praised tough new criminal sanctions which could see people hit with hefty fines or 10 years in prison for copying someone else’s innovative designs.

Sam Pedley, an intellectual property expert at law firm mfg Solicitors, says a shake-up of Intellectual Property rights should help designers and innovators to protect themselves from those who would profit from their hard work.

The Intellectual Property Act 2014 came into force on October 1 and brings in a new criminal offence for blatant copying of registered designs, carrying a possible 10 year jail sentence, an unlimited fine, or a worst case scenario, both.

Mr Pedley, who acts on behalf of several firms in the county, said too many small and medium sized businesses had previously failed to guard their hard-earned brands and pioneering designs in a fiercely competitive market.

He said: “The new Intellectual Property Acts puts businesses, designers and innovators back in the driving seat when it comes to protecting themselves from copycats.

“It’s been controversial because of the hefty 10 year imprisonment that can come from breaking the rules, as well as the potential for unlimited fines.

“But what it shows is that the creativity of designs is as important to the economy as music or words, which are protected by copyright, and brands, which are protected by trademarks.

“Some argue that these criminal sanctions are going too far and will damage innovation because the threat of being prosecuted might discourage a company from investing and commissioning designs in the UK.

“I disagree with that view. The new rules give a safeguard for businesses here in the Wyre Forest. Honest innovators have nothing to fear while designers can rest assured they have a powerful tool at their disposal to protect their ideas which let’s face it, have taken lots of time and money.”

For advice, readers can email Mr Pedley through samuel.pedley@mfgsolicitors.com