The Giftware Association (GA) is delighted to announce a new strategic partnership with ACID; the UK’s leading membership and campaigning organisation for design and intellectual property (IP). ACID has long been recognised as a powerful advocate in the fight against design theft, supporting thousands of designers and manufacturers across the country. 

Founded in 1996 by designers for designers, ACID has grown from a small roundtable action group into a major influencer in UK design law, lobbying Parliament and driving positive change to protect creative work.  

Today, its diverse membership ranges from individuals and microbusinesses to SMEs and multinationals, all committed to building a safer commercial environment where original design can flourish.  

Empowering Creatives Through Stronger IP Protection 

The new GA–ACID partnership aims to: 

- Equip GA members with enhanced tools through accessing ACID membership at a discounted rate to protect their intellectual property, including access to ACID’s respected IP resources, advice services, and the ACID IP Databank, which provides secure, third-party dated evidence of design ownership. 
- Promote ethical trading practices across the gift, home, and lifestyle sectors by encouraging the adoption of the ACID IP Charter—an industrywide pledge to uphold respect for original design and responsible use of creative content.  
- Advocate for designers’ rights through joint campaigning, events, and educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the importance of IP protection. 
 
A Shared Commitment to Creativity 

As the Giftware Association continues its mission to support and champion businesses across the creative industries, this partnership reflects GA’s drive to create a modern, secure, and innovative environment for its members. With design theft still a significant issue affecting creators, the collaboration with ACID brings a compelling new layer of support at a time when safeguarding creative originality has never been more essential. 
 
Dids Macdonald OBE, Chair & Cofounder of ACID, has long emphasised the organisation’s mission: to place IP ethics, compliance, and respect for original work at the heart of business. ACID remains a key protector of the UK’s design economy and an influential force to demand positive legal reform. 
 
Looking Ahead 

Through this partnership, GA members will gain valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding of IP, strengthen their commercial protection, and join a united front committed to the integrity of original design. 

Both organisations look forward to working together to build a safer and more prosperous future for designers, makers, and brands throughout the UK.