Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Intellectual property definition

What does Intellectual property mean? Intellectual property describes intangible legal rights in creative, technical and branding outputs used and enforced in commercial practice, often abbreviated to IP or IPR. In the UK and Ireland the term is descriptive rather than a single statutory definition; discrete rights arise under specific regimes, typically including copyright, patents, trade marks, registered and unregistered designs, database right, trade secrets and confidential information, and the common law tort of passing off. These rights are territorial, generally time‑limited (trade secrets/confidential information can subsist indefinitely if secrecy is maintained), and confer exclusive rights that can be licensed, assigned, charged as security and...

Spare parts and intellectual property in the UK: designs (must fit/must match, repair clause), trade marks, passing off, patents and copyright—post‑Brexit and EU reforms; practical guidance

Published by a LexisNexis IP expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note offers a concise overview of how spare parts are treated under the main IP rights recognised in English Law (designs, trade marks, patents and copyright). It also includes illustrations of how the rules operate in practice and down-to-earth guidance for rights holders and for businesses that make and/or sell spare parts.

What are spare parts?

A ‘spare part’ is an interchangeable component kept in stock and used to repair or replace failed units. Spare parts are integral to logistics engineering and supply chain management, frequently supported by dedicated spare parts management systems and distinct markets focused on the manufacture, supply and/or fitting of parts, including businesses where spares are a principal offering, such as garages and repair centres.

Designs

The connection between design rights and spare parts is especially close, as in certain circumstances protection can cover a part of a product, not only the whole. The UK designs framework is multi-layered and encompasses several different rights. As there is overlap between these rights, they can interact in complex ways...

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Ben Mark

RPC

Ben is a Partner in RPC’s Intellectual Property and Technology group and advises on all aspects of intellectual property protection and enforcement, with a focus on trade marks, passing off, copyright, designs and confidential information. Ben works with clients across a wide range of industries, including food and drink, media, retail, online/e-commerce, financial services and insurance....

Georgia Davis

RPC

Georgia is a Legal Director in RPC’s IP & Technology group and advises on contentious and non-contentious matters. She has particular specialism in disputes relating to both intellectual property (including trade marks, passing off, designs and copyright) and information technology. Has acted in reported cases including: Champagne Louis Roederer v J Garcia Carrion (trade mark infringement); Leofelis v Lonsdale (inquiry as to damages); Sir Robert McAlpine v Alfred McAlpine plc (passing off)....

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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