As the level of uncertainty over Brexit continues to be high, as
a precautionary measure it is recommended that proprietors seeking
trade mark and design protection in both the UK and the EU file
separate applications until a deal on Brexit has been passed by
Parliament and greater clarity on the situation has been
established. Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the IPO has
confirmed that applicants with pending EU applications on 29 March
2019 will have an opportunity to refile with the same particulars
in the UK within a 9-month period, retaining the earlier EU filing
date. Existing registered rights will continue to apply in
the UK.
It is also recommended that proprietors should designate both
the UK and the EU when using the Madrid system for International
trade marks and the Hague system for designs. In addition, we
recommend filing subsequent designations for the UK, where the EU
trade mark application is likely to still be pending come March
2019.