One recent article that really interested me was an announcement about changes to legislation on furniture design copyright. Extending creators' copyright from 25 years from their death to 70 years. This would mean that many classic and quintessential British designs which are currently able to be purchased as reproduction items at a fraction of the cost of the original, would under the new legislation have the designers of the original iconic pieces of furniture protected for much longer.
Under the new legislation which will come into force in January 2017 manufacturers selling unlicensed furniture designs in Britain will risk fines of up to £50,000 and could even risk being sent to jail for up to 10 years. Those owning the designers licence will also most likely begin to charge considerably more for the reproduction of their work.
I love these illustrated images created by Distinctive Chesterfields celebrating some classic pieces of British furniture, examples of everything from mid-century contemporary pieces (which really makes me feel old as I can remember some of these designs in our home when I was a child in the 1970's ) !
that may now be subject to the new copyright legislation, to furniture designs now considered antique.
If you love the vintage and retro trends you might want to search out some of these iconic pieces as it looks like they could well become very valuable indeed ! If you already have originals in your home then lucky you.
The Ercol studio couch
The Nathan supper table
The Roberts radio
Ercol pebble tables
The Nathan sideboard
The Mathmos Lava lamp
The GPO rotary Bakelite telephone
The G Plan sideboard
Beswick flying ducks (remember these on the wall in in Hilda Ogdan's house in Coronation Street)!
Axminster carpets - Based not far from where I live in Devon
The Anglepoise Lamp
