Authentic Design Alliance® is an independent member-funded association that promotes the value of investing in original furniture, lighting, and interior products in the fight against design theft. We advocate for vastly improved IP protection for the furnishing sector, and for the word 'replica' to be eradicated from our industry.

In 2016 Britain joined Europe by criminalising the 'replica' industry, leveling fines of up to £50,000 or 10 years jail! Reforms included backdating copyright law to cover design icons savaged by the replica industry, extending copyright protection for the life of the designer plus an additional 70 years after their death ('life plus 70'). We're awaiting final info on how Brexit affects these massive leaps forward for the UK design and furnishing sector.

"A successful product employs a network.

 A successful collection creates a sub-economy"

Meanwhile, unlike other creative disciplines, no automatic copyright protection applies to furnishings in Australia. Music, film, literature, art, photography, and architecture are automatically copyright protected at no cost to the creator - so why is design treated differently?

As an education platform, we support designers, manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers of authentic products, and advocate for radically improved intellectual property (IP) protection to align with Europe and other trading partners.

We work in consultation with IP Australia and other industry groups to help shape the best possible future for the growth of the Australian furnishing sector.

ADA® members directly enable our advocacy and education including a national event program. ADA® Members help us to inform consumers, business owners, and design professionals about the importance of investing in authentic products and providing ongoing updates on the latest developments with IP reform.

Discover more about ADA® membership here (or here if on mobile / device)