Brexit and Trade Mark Protection in the UK

On the 12th December 2019 the Conservatives won the UK General Election. Their campaign was very much on a promise to “get Brexit done” and this provides more certainty on the outcome and timetable of Brexit.

It is now widely expected that the UK Parliament will pass the necessary EU Withdrawal Act so the UK will formally leave the European Union on 31st January 2020.

However, this does not mean that the UK will be leaving the EUIPO system at that time. The UK will continue to be part of the EU trade mark and design registration systems during a transitional period whilst a full trade deal between the UK and EU is negotiated. This transitional period will maintain this status quo until at least January 2021, but depending on how long these complicated negotiations take, could last considerably longer.

HGF will keep you promptly updated on developments and will notify you as and when UK trade mark protection is impacted.

However, for the foreseeable future, it remains “business as usual” with the UK remaining part of the EUIPO and EU trade mark/design registration systems.

When the UK eventually does leave the EUIPO system, HGF will ensure all your trade mark rights are maintained and protected in the EU and the UK by taking all necessary actions on your behalf.

With offices in 6 European countries, HGF is ideally placed to assist clients through Brexit process and continue to handle all EU and UK trade mark design and other intellectual property matters as we do now. We will continue to be your trusted advisors and representatives at both the EUIPO and the UKIPO.

If you have any queries at all, please contact your usual HGF Trade Mark Attorney, or David Potter, Head of the HGF Trade Mark team.