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…
In the latest article from GCA supplier member Briffa, the team provides a practical introduction to licensing for greeting card publishers, artists and designers. From extending artwork into new product categories to negotiating commercial agreements, understanding the fundamentals of licensing can help businesses maximise the value of their intellectual property while avoiding costly disputes. Licensing is one of the most…
In the latest article from GCA supplier member Briffa, the team tackles some of the most common myths surrounding intellectual property in the greeting card industry. Whether you’re an independent artist or an established publisher, understanding the basics of copyright, trade marks, ownership and confidentiality can help protect your business and support future growth For GCA members – from solo…
In the latest article from GCA supplier member Briffa, the team explains how copyright protects the creative work at the heart of the greeting card industry. Covering everything from ownership and licensing to enforcement and commercial opportunities, this practical guide highlights the key considerations for publishers, designers and artists looking to protect and maximise the value of their intellectual property….
As part of our legal advice series from GCA supplier member Briffa, this article examines a question many publishers face: when does inspiration become infringement? In a fast-moving industry where trends evolve quickly and similar products can appear in the marketplace almost overnight, understanding the intellectual property rights that protect your designs, artwork and brand is essential. Briffa explains the…
In the latest article from GCA supplier member Briffa, the team looks at the intellectual property considerations that publishers and artists should address before entering a collaboration. Getting ownership, licensing and usage rights clear from the start can help prevent problems later and ensure both parties get the most from the partnership Collaboration is the engine of the greeting card…
As part of our series with GCA supplier member Briffa, specialist intellectual property solicitors, we’re sharing practical guidance on the legal issues that matter most to greeting card publishers. In this article, Briffa busts some of the most common myths surrounding intellectual property and explains what publishers can and can’t protect. Intellectual Property (IP) is often described as protecting “creations…
Join Excel evangelist Raj Arora for a session designed specifically with Greeting Card publishers in mind. Raj is going to show you how to turn that clunky spreadsheet into a streamlined assistant that handles the “boring stuff” so you can get back to designing.
#Cardmitment Toolkit for everyone to use to remind people of the joy of sending and receiving Christmas cards
Opportunities for Greeting Card Publishers, Designers, Printers & Suppliers Did you know there may be funding support available to help small businesses make practical sustainability improvements? Whether you are reducing energy use, installing EV charging, improving packaging, upgrading equipment, or developing innovative low-carbon products, there are UK-wide and regional schemes that may help. Grant availability changes regularly, so this guide…
Expanding into the US market is an exciting opportunity for greeting card publishers — but it comes with its own set of challenges, considerations and strategic decisions. At a recent GCA webinar on Export, Crossing the Pond, Vanessa Harnik of US distributor Notes & Queries (46 years’ experience in the market) shared practical, experience led, advice on navigating the American…
What is Festive Friday? Festive Friday is the day when everyone in the greeting card industry, and card lovers everywhere, send their Christmas cards. Receiving Christmas cards reminds people to send theirs; so Festive Friday starts the annual exchange of Christmas cards! Festive Friday 2026 is on Friday, 27th November! Why Festive Friday Matters Our #Cardmitment campaign…
Thinking of You Week is back for its 12th year, and it’s set to be the biggest and brightest yet! From 21 to 27 September, we’re inviting everyone to join in a nationwide wave of kindness by sending cards to friends, family, neighbours, and anyone who could use a little lift. Whether it’s a note of encouragement,…
In a world where children are growing up glued to screens, the Greeting Card Association is proud to launch Card Club. A brand new initiative designed to put pen and paper back into the hands of children aged 4 – 11 years and encourage card sending. Introducing Card Club Watch Rebecca Green’s presentation from the…
On July 30, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order eliminating the de minimis exemption for all countries, effective August 29, 2025. Originally planned for 2027, this fast-tracked change will significantly impact small businesses — including UK greeting card publishers exporting to the U.S. But there’s good news: recent updates from Royal Mail offer a more manageable path forward. Royal Mail’s…
What is Festive Friday? Festive Friday is the day when everyone in the greeting card industry, and card lovers everywhere, send their Christmas cards. Receiving Christmas cards reminds people to send theirs; so Festive Friday starts the annual exchange of Christmas cards! Festive Friday 2025 is on Friday, 28th November! Why Festive Friday Matters Our #Cardmitment campaign…
As a proud member of the Independent Retail Confederation – IRC, the Greeting Card Association (GCA) is delighted to support the ShopKind campaign—an initiative that unites the retail sector to tackle violence and abuse against shopworkers. What is ShopKind? Backed by the Home Office and led by the National Business Crime Centre, ShopKind encourages positive behaviour in shops and highlights the essential…
In our last article Protecting Your Work Part 1: Getting Ahead of Copyright & IP Infringement, we helped you understand how to protect your work before infringement happens. This article now covers what to do if you see your original work copied or imitated without permission. It outlines your legal rights, explains the relevant UK copyright law in plain English, and…