Westminster Council to enforce street signs protection (04/04/2008)

Westminster City Council will crack down on copyright infringements of its world-famous street signs, the Council has announced today.

The signs, which have featured on countless postcards, mugs and t-shirts, are to be protected against counterfeiters and copyright cheats for the first time in their 40 year history.

After becoming the sole owner of the iconic red and black lettered signs last July, the Council is commencing its copyright licensing programme and is asking anyone reproducing its street name plate designs to apply for a licence.

All products and artefacts reproducing the signs, which were created by legendary design guru Sir Misha Black in the 1960s, will have to carry a copyright notice to show that the goods are licensed.

Martin Low, Westminster Council’s Director of Transportation, said:

"Westminster's street signs are an integral part of London life and very popular with the millions of visitors that the City hosts every year.

"In buying the copyright, we felt we needed to retain an element of control over the signs to maintain Westminster’s image as a world class tourist destination".

Westminster Council Officers will check for copyright breaches to make sure that retailers are not trading illegally. Council Officers will liaise with the legal department concerning any breaches of copyright, which could result in prosecution and a heavy fine. Copyright fees levied by the Council will be ploughed back into front line services for Westminster's residents.

Created by Sir Misha Black in 1967, the enamelled steel signs have become synonymous with Westminster and are universally acknowledged as a design classic, marking a number of London’s best known locations including Carnaby Street, Abbey Road, Baker Street, Whitehall and Downing Street.

The Council bought the copyright from Sir Misha's estate, which is represented by his son Oliver Black.

The signs may be used in official Council publications to help advertise Westminster's many attractions.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Council expects anyone who is reproducing the designs to contact the Council's Director of Transportation, Martin Low, by no later than 30th April 2008 to avoid enforcement action by emailing him at mlow@westminster.gov.uk, or writing to the Transportation Department, 10th Floor North East, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP.

Products depicting the street signs requiring a licence range from replica street signs to coffee tables to greeting cards and souvenirs such as mugs, key rings, ash trays and mouse mats.

Sir Misha Black was born on 16th October 1910 in Baku, Russia. He came to England aged two and was educated at the Dame Alice Owen School in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. He had little formal design training but at the age of 17 he started designing posters and exhibition stands. In 1933 he joined pioneering design firm Bassett Gray and in 1951 gained an international reputation for his work at the Festival of Britain. Some of his best-known projects include work for the underground systems of London and Hong Kong and the small mammal house at London Zoo. He was knighted in 1972 and died five years later in London just before his 67th birthday.

The Council can pursue both civil and criminal actions for breach of copyright. Section 16 of the Copyright Designs and Patent Act 1988 gives the copyright owner the exclusive right to copy the work. If another person copies the work, the same legal avenues for action are available as for the infringement of any other property right.

The Council could seek an injunction, delivery up or destruction of any infringing goods and damages or an account of the infringer’s profits. The Council also has the option of bringing a criminal prosecution under section 107 of the Act.

The copyright will expire in 2047 - 70 years from the death of the original designer as laid out in copyright legislation.