RWK Goodman advises the NAJ on the Made in Britain partnership

The affiliate agreement will give NAJ members the opportunity to use the Made in Britain marque at a preferential rate in 2018. An initial outline terms of licence was signed at the International Jewellery London exhibition on 4 September.

Stephen Welfare, IP expert at RWK Goodman, who has a long history of acting for members of the NAJ, said: "As legal partners to the NAJ, we are delighted to have helped secure this partnership. The Made in Britain network brings together manufacturers from all sectors, providing enhanced opportunities for them to stand out in today’s fiercely competitive market."

The NAJ members manufacturing in the UK who sign up to scheme will benefit from publicity on both the NAJ and the Made in Britain websites and the right to use a proposed optional mark on the jewellery itself.

Andrew Hinds, NAJ Deputy Chairman, who has been very involved in the negotiations, commented: "If we can make it easier for consumers to find products and the manufacturers that made them in the UK and also be part of a movement that makes the case for the benefits to our economy of buying UK made products – rather like the red tractor scheme in food or the safety Kitemark – it could have a positive outcome for our industry."

RWK Goodman’s intellectual property lawyers operate the successful CopyWatch® scheme for the NAJ, whereby members have easy access to expert legal advice on design and copyright issues. The team also contributes to The Jeweller Magazine and the NAJ website, as well as attending at the industry’s key exhibitions such as Spring Fair, Autumn Fair and International Jewellery London (where they jointly operate the IP awareness campaign PIPR® with the show organisers, Reed Exhibitions).