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ARTICLE · 18 JANUARY 2019

Changes To The UK's Trademarks Law

Gowling WLG
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Today the EU Trade Marks Directive 2015 comes into force and brings with it changes to the UK Trade Marks Act 1994 (TMA), and the UK Trade Marks Rules 2008 (TMR).

United KingdomIntellectual Property
Kate Swaine
Kate Swaine
John Coldham
John Coldham
Gordon Harris
Gordon Harris
Alexandra Brodie
Alexandra Brodie
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Today the EU Trade Marks Directive 2015 comes into force and brings with it changes to the UK Trade Marks Act 1994 (TMA), and the UK Trade Marks Rules 2008 (TMR). We have set out a brief summary of the key changes which will impact the application, registration, enforcement and licensing of trade marks in the UK regardless of the outcome of the current Brexit debate.

The highlights are:

  • Trademark applicants are no longer required to provide a graphic (visual) representation of their trademark. As long as the mark is presented clearly and precisely, so that others can understand what it is, then it can be provided in a wide range of formats. This does not apply where the UK application is the basis for an international trade mark application under the Madrid system. The Madrid system continues to require a graphic representation.

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