The Registered Designs Regulations 2001
These regulations implement Directive 98/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13th October 1998 on the legal protection of designs (O.J. No. L289, 28.10.1998, p.28) (“the Directive”) which provides for harmonisation in the EC of the matters of registered design protection which most closely affect the functioning of the internal market. The Directive was extended to the European Economic Area by Decision No.21/2000 of the EEA Joint Committee.