RWK Goodman share pearls of wisdom at jewellery trade show

Over 3 days (4 - 6 September) the UK's largest dedicated trade jewellery show was held at London Olympia. The annual event is hosted by International Jewellery London (IJL), a division of Reed Exhibitions. It brings together over 500 UK and overseas jewellery companies and designers, who showcase their creations and collections to thousands of trade buyers looking to fill shops and internet sites with the right jewellery to sell to the public.

In addition to the dazzling array of stands, with more glitz than Eurovision, the show ran a full programme of seminars offering a wide variety of guidance to designers, manufacturers, consultants and retailers.

Included in the extensive programme was a dedicated Business Advice Clinic, which featured an Ask the Expert session on intellectual property rights. Providing the free consultation clinic was RWK Goodman partner and expert in intellectual property, Stephen Welfare. This is the second year running that Stephen has provided the advice clinic.

Stephen's association with IJL goes back many years as he has advised and represented members of the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), formerly the British Jewellers Association, for more than 15 years. He has also attended various trade shows across the country, such as IJL, as part of Copywatch®*.

RWK Goodman enjoys a close relationship with world-leading event organisers Reed Exhibitions, with whom they run the Intellectual Property Rights awareness initiative, PIPR®. Stephen explains: "Through both Copywatch® and PIPR®, it's great to be so closely involved in the promotion of good working ethics and the recognition of the value of design through the protection and lawful exploitation of IPR. Our clients know we have the expertise and because I work so closely with jewellery companies, they are reassured that I am sympathetic to their business and its particular challenges."

Once again, the IJL catwalk was a star attraction, this year with a stunning bridal themed finale (pictured below). Stephen looks forward to next year's show but in the meantime if you have any queries relating to IP, particularly in the jewellery sector, contact Stephen in our London office.

*Copywatch is an IP advice and protection service operated by RWK Goodman exclusively for members of the NAJ and its partners within the British Allied Trades Federation.