Manufacturers of products with iconic shapes often find that there are competitors willing to take them on, and copy the recognisable shape in their own products. What is the best form of protection for these shapes? The European court has analysed this difficult area in the Brompton cycle case.
Alasdair Poore looks at the decision, and the wider implications for the protection of product designs, here.
Here's an example of the Brompton cycle showing off its folding skills: