If you have been keeping a close eye on the ongoing discussions
relating to Brexit, you will recall our earlier ENSight where we
reported that the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office
(“UKIPO”) provided some clarity on how
European Union (“EU”) trade mark
registrations will be treated on Brexit. The conclusion of a
withdrawal agreement would mean the creation of comparable United
Kingdom (“UK”) rights, which would be
granted automatically and at no charge. If no agreement was
reached, it was advised that the government seek to “minimise
disruption for business and to provide for a smooth
transition”. Here’s what we know now:
The EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement has now been ratified, removing
the risk of a “no-deal” Brexit scenario. The UK
left the EU on 31 January 2020, and has entered a transitional
period, ending on 31 December 2020. During this transitional
period, EU trade marks will continue to cover the UK.
