ACID (Anti Copying In Design), a membership trade organization, was set up as a round table action group in 1996 by designers for designers. Today, it combats the growing threats of plagiarism in the design and creative industries, helping its members understand and protect their rights to stamp out intellectual property rights abuse.

Commended in the recent Gowers Report on Intellectual Property for its "Educate to Protect" initiative, ACID provides an accessible, practical framework for those whose IP rights have been infringed and positive help to those who wish to leverage the value of their intellectual property. The ACID LOBBY, formed in 2004 to ensure that design issues are at the forefront of the government agenda, is lobbying to improve the level of damages awarded in order to meaningfully deter the continuing rise in copying both nationally and globally.

ACID also maintains a high profile at exhibitions and trade shows, and functions as a strong deterrent, on-the-spot advice center and mediation service. To date, there have been over 1,700 grass roots mediations and less than 30% have required further legal action. Mediate to Resolve was launched in 2007 to broaden awareness about mediation as a real alternative to litigation.

ACID draws strong support from the media, developing partnerships with industry trade magazines such as Design Week, Cabinet Maker, Gift Focus, etc. which publicly endorse the organization's goals and regularly publicize the high profile settlements made on behalf of ACID members (to date, there have been over 220 settlements and just under £3 million recovered in costs and damages).