Leading IP expert urges wallcoverings businesses to protect their designs

An application to register a design can be made up to 12 months after the design is launched, giving the opportunity to see whether a design is successful before applying.

Mr Catterall spoke about copyright issues affecting the wallcoverings industry at the annual congress of IGI, the Global Wallcoverings Association in Portugal.

Mr Catterall told the gathering that the great advantage of registration was that it defeated an argument of independent origination by the infringer.

John Carter, chairman at Graham and Brown who also attended the IGI Congress, said: "I have had the pleasure in working with Tony for more than 20 years on design copyright issues, he is a straight taking guy who gives his opinion in a very clear and concise manner, from the start you get a very clear indication from Tony if you there is or isn’t a case to answer, this in my opinion is very unusual when you talk to a lawyer you can find yourself coming out of a meeting with more questions than answers, this is definitely not the case when you appoint Tony to represent you."