Brexit Implications For IP: Arrangements Agreed So Far

The United Kingdom and the (remaining) EU have reached partial agreement on the text of a treaty that will govern the Brexit process. It provides broad clarity regarding arrangements for the transitioning of unitary EU rights in trade marks, designs and plant variety rights into UK rights.

Maintenance of the status quo for the transition period

The effect of the "Draft Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community" is that:

• Although the UK will exit the European Union on 29 March 2019, and from that date will no longer participate in European Union decision making processes, EU law will very largely remain applicable to and in force in the UK for the term of the "transition period", which will end on 31 December 2020.