What is Intellectual Property (IP)?

Intellectual property, often known as IP, allows people to own their creativity and innovation in the same way that they can own physical property. The owner of IP can control and be rewarded for its use, and this encourages further innovation and creativity to the benefit of us all - stated the UK government website.

A Registered Design - the UK Patent Office advises that it 'is a recognised intellectual property right which protects the design from being copied by competitors for up to 25 years'.

NOT SO - if your design is as important as the Eurosymbol number plate - in a case such as this the authorities simply take it. They continue to accept monies to extend periods of 'design protection' and encourage UK manufacturers of numberplates to infringe and pirate the design  - now along with others registered designs in the flag series of designs that are registered at the UK Patent Office - The Scottish number plate, The Welsh numberplate for examples.

IP protection is selective. IP protection is a false economy. IP protection in the UK and EU is a FRAUD.