BREXIT: EC Publishes Position Paper On IPRs

On 7 September, the EC published a position paper on intellectual property rights (including geographical indications), setting out how the transition of the UK leaving the EU should take place with respect to certain IPRs to ensure minimum disruption to the UK and the remaining EU27.

The paper contains the main principles of the EU position on IPRs, to be discussed by the EU27 for agreement and then presented to the UK in the context of negotiations under Article 50. It sets out the EU's position on what the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU should ensure in relation to:

1. the scope of protection in the UK of certain rights;
2. the treatment of applications for certain rights; and