< Back to latest news & events

Knowledge Hub

Act before 31st December 2023 or risk losing your cloned UK trade mark registrations

July 2023

Since the UK’s departure from the EU Trade Mark and Design System (EU IPO) at the end of 2020, non-UK Attorneys have been allowed to act as representatives for these cloned UK registrations.

However, this is due to end after three years, on the 31st of December 2023.

This deadline brings a strong risk that UK registrations could be lost without UK-based representation especially if challenged, e.g. for non-use or invalidity.

Alarmingly, there are currently over 200,000 UK-cloned registrations that don’t have UK representation and are therefore at risk.

We strongly recommend HGF is appointed as your UK-based representative, which we will do FREE OF CHARGE, to assist you during this crucial period.

To make the process of saving your Trade Mark registrations seamless and effortless, we have created an online platform called ‘HGF Complete’ to manage this process free of charge, to have HGF recorded as the UK address for service, and remove any uncertainty you or your clients may have.

To secure your UK Trade Mark registrations today, click the button below.

Latest updates

The Antibody Series #5 | Epitope-defined antibody claims: when “binds to this epitope” becomes a risk of insufficiency

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews decisions made at the EPO; here, they reviewed an appeal in opposition proceedings after the revocation …

Read article

The Deity Shoes case: a question of design activity and the constraints on a designer’s freedom

The footwear brand Deity Shoes sought to enforce their Community Design rights, both registered and unregistered, against Mundorama Confort and Stay Design. However, Mundorama Confort and Stay Design found fault …

Read article

The Antibody Series #4 | pH points in antibody claims: when “same pH ” becomes an addition of matter

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews EPO decisions; in this case, they reviewed a revocation in opposition of a patent relating to …

Read article

The Antibody Series #3 | Antibody code names in claims: why “ACZ885” is not sufficient to define the antibody

The Boards of Appeal of the EPO (BoA) are the appeal body that reviews EPO decisions. In this case, they examined a claim that identified an antibody by an internal …

Read article
Event - 3rd February 2026

HGF Brand & Design Conference 2026

Join us on 3rd February 2026 for HGF’s Brand & Design Conference, the must attend event for in-house legal teams, brand leaders, creatives, and innovators shaping the future of IP. …

Event details

Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026

HGF Office Closed Dates December 2025 / January 2026   UK Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December 2025 CLOSED Thursday 1 January 2026* CLOSED * Friday 2 January 2026 – …

Read article
Event - 14th January 2026

Seminar on The aftermath of G1/24 - has anything changed?

HGF is hosting a The aftermath of G1/24 – has anything changed? Which will be followed by networking, apero, and snacks. The Seminar will be held on Wednesday, 14th January …

Event details

Zombie Fashion Brands

Episode 4 Zombie Fashion Brands  

Read article