Intellectual property is at the heart of the greeting card industry. From original artwork and verse to licensing agreements, brand protection and creative collaborations, understanding your rights can help safeguard your work and support long-term business growth.
To help GCA members navigate these important topics, GCA supplier member Briffa has produced a series of practical guides covering some of the most common intellectual property and licensing issues faced by greeting card publishers, designers and artists.
About Briffa
Briffa is a long-term legal associate of the GCA specialising in intellectual property law. The firm helps creative businesses protect and monetise their work through straightforward and cost-effective advice. Briffa advises on copyright, trade marks, licensing agreements, commercial contracts and brand protection, helping businesses understand their rights and avoid costly disputes.
Everyone in the greetings card industry deals with intellectual property in some form, whether that’s protecting original artwork, managing collaborations, licensing designs or responding to infringement concerns. Briffa works with clients across the creative industries and offers practical legal support tailored to the needs of greeting card publishers and artists.
Exclusive Benefits for GCA Members
As a GCA supplier member, Briffa offers several benefits to GCA members, including:
- An initial free consultation and tailored advice note for new contacts.
- DesignProtect, an innovative service providing legal insurance for designs logged with Briffa.
- Access to Briffa’s GCA Licence Agreement, drafted specifically for GCA members and written in plain English.
- Specialist advice on copyright, licensing, trade marks and commercial agreements.
Explore the Series
1. What Card Publishers Get Wrong About IP (and How to Put it Right)
From copyright ownership to trade marks and confidentiality agreements, this practical guide tackles some of the most common misconceptions surrounding intellectual property and explains how businesses can better protect their creative assets.
2. Can You Really Own an Idea? IP Myths on the Card Aisle
Can you copyright an idea? Does adding a TM symbol mean your brand is protected? This myth-busting guide tackles some of the most common misconceptions around intellectual property and explains what greeting card publishers really need to know.
3. Copyright Protection for Greeting Card Designers: A Practical Guide
Copyright is one of the most valuable assets in any greeting card business. This article explains how copyright arises automatically, who owns it, how it can be commercialised and the steps publishers and designers can take to protect their work.
4. Copycat Culture: Where Inspiration Ends and Infringement Begins on the Card Aisle
Where is the line between inspiration and infringement? This guide explores copyright, trade marks and design rights, helping publishers understand their options when they believe their work has been copied.
5. Collaborating on IP: What Card Publishers and Artists Should Agree Before They Start
Creative collaborations can be hugely successful, but it’s important to establish ownership, responsibilities and licensing rights from the outset. This guide outlines the key considerations publishers and artists should discuss before a project begins.
6. Licensing Greeting Card Artwork: A Practical Guide for GCA Members
Licensing can create valuable opportunities to extend artwork across cards, gift wrap, stationery and homeware. This article explains the fundamentals of licensing and highlights the clauses that matter most in a successful agreement.
Need Further Advice?
Whether you’re dealing with copyright concerns, licensing agreements, trade marks, creative collaborations or infringement issues, Briffa’s specialist intellectual property team can help.
GCA members can take advantage of the exclusive benefits available through the Association, including an initial free consultation and tailored advice note. For further information, visit Briffa’s Website and contact the team directly.
