Brexit: this is it!

[05/10/2020] The transition period provided for by the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union will end on 31 December 2020 (Exit Day).

The Government of the UK has set up new steps in matter of protection of Intellectual Property Rights which will apply as from such date, namely:

• European and International Trademarks and Designs designating the European Union registered before 1 January 2020 will be automatically replaced by comparable UK rights. It will be however possible to opt out of such national rights.

• European or International Trademark and Design Applications designating the European Union still pending on 1 January 2021 may be refiled within nine months (i.e.: prior 1st October 2021) subject to the payment of official fees. The new UK applications will retain the original filing date.

• European and International Rights designating the UK, whose expiration date is after 31 December 2020, will have to be twice renewed, once before the UKIPO and once before the EUIPO or WIPO.

Our staff would be happy to advise and assist you to maintain your rights in the United Kingdom.