Anti Copying In Design (ACID) is the UK’s leading membership and campaigning organisation for design and intellectual property (IP). With a diverse membership ranging from individuals to multinationals, and spanning many industry sectors, ACID is committed to fighting design theft and lobbying Parliament for design law reform and respectful, compliant and ethical practices in AI use.
From exhibitions to online marketplaces, the risks to designers, designer makers and craftsmen have always been omnipresent and, sadly, this is ever the case in the most copied sector; furniture and furnishings. However, over the past couple of years, the exponential and unapologetic growth of AI has brought a whole new sphere of concern to our creative community.
And it’s showing no signs of relenting. That’s why, over the past 18 months, ACID has continued its relentless campaigning and lobbying government on behalf of designers everywhere, along with spreading the word of IP and discernment in the context of AI use within furniture organisations and beyond.
In February 2025, ACID joined over 11,000 others in submitting its response to the AI & Copyright Consultation, calling for recompense and attribution for creators.
As part of the Make It Fair campaign and continued lobby on AI, ACID is fully installed at the forefront of discussions on generative AI and copyright, particularly in relation to large language models and Big Tech using copyright content without consent. We fully support the use of AI in ideation, transformation, and prototyping but firmly oppose data training without transparency, attribution, or recompense.
Read ACID’s response: https://bit.ly/4hWpfSn
Design Law
Following over 10 years’ relentless campaigning by ACID, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) finally released its Design Consultation in September 2025. This crucial step has the potential to simplify design law, cut the prohibitive costs for SMEs pursuing legal action, and reduce delays in challenging copyists.
ACID has tirelessly championed these issues, spotlighting the challenges faced by talented designers whose original creations are all too often shamelessly copied. Whilst we await the outcome of the consultation, it is still vitally important that Design Law is kept on the political agenda.
Read ACID’s response: https://bit.ly/3U6T2xP
Discussing IP and AI issues
In June 2026, ACID brought together industry leaders from bedding to furniture, toys to interior design met recently at a joint event hosted by Robert Lands of ACID legal affiliate, Howard Kennedy, to discuss IP and AI issues shaping the future of design, employment and innovation.
Opening the event, ACID’s Chair and Co- Founder, and Past Master of the Furniture Makers, Dids Macdonald OBE., stressed concerns regarding the current design law framework, stating, “The current framework remains too cumbersome for designers, and I question how AI and data mining will impact creators’ rights, transparency and protection against infringement on online marketplaces”.
Read the full report on the event here: https://bit.ly/45PF5XE
IP is relevant whatever the stage of your furniture career
More recently, ACID were delighted to return to the Furniture Makers’ Company (FMC) 2026 Young Professional Industry Experience (YPIE) programme, kicking off the first week as always with an IP workshop.
The YPIE team were led through the essential IP rights, risks and remedies. AI and Sustainability were the hot topics of the day with the YPIE team asking thought-provoking questions around responsible AI use, including the impact of GenAI and data scraping on brands and designers.
The YPIE programme brings together a mix of young professionals from a variety of backgrounds, included long-standing furniture brands and those starting their own business. IP is relevant regardless of the stage of your furniture career, and it is never too early to consider the risks, ensuring prevention, deterrence and longevity of your business.
So, what can you do to protect your brand and business in the age of AI?
ACID’s advice is simple: If you don’t want to be copied, say so! And we have many resources available to maximise your Anti- Copying message.
There’s no more powerful message on your website/marketing material. Something along the lines of, “All the intellectual property in our designs belongs to (your name). Any infringements will be pursued seriously.”
Members of ACID use the ACID deterrent logo on their website, social media, trade stands and communications, along with an IP warning statement and AI deterrent statement to keep copycats at bay whether they’re bots or beings!
The ACID IP databank provides members with a free, 3rd party evidence trail of their design journey, providing a certificate of unregistered design rights and copyrights that has been successfully used against online infringements on marketplaces such as TEMU and Amazon.
In 2026, ACID launched the Member of ACID image watermarks to further bolster deterrence in the face of AI data-scraping, GenAI image theft and online marketplace infringement. The watermarks are designed to give you an easy way to visibly identify your work across social media, websites, portfolios and online marketplaces to reinforce ownership, deter unauthorised use, present your work professionally, showcase your commitment to protecting creativity and prove you’re backed by an organisation committed to IP respect, ethics and compliance.
And how can you support ACID’s campaigning work?
Sign our AI and IP Charter and pledge your support to Respect, Compliance and Ethics in IP – https://bit.ly/4z4JyDm. Keep Design Law and IP firmly on the political agenda by writing to your MP using ACID’s Template Letter. Subscribe to our magazine and read all about our work and membership community. Follow our vital campaigning work on social media. Like, reshare and add your comments on LinkedIn and Instagram.
As AI continues to dominate the headlines, and risks to businesses and brands grow, a robust IP strategy is more important than ever. ACID firmly believe in the power of togetherness; a united voice is a stronger voice, and we will continue to support designers with campaigning and resources to ensure you have the tools you need to run your business in the age of AI.
Keep up to date with ACID’s events and news desk. Contact us to find out more about ACID’s work, our organisation, membership benefits or anything else.
