HARD BREXIT AND EU TRADEMARKS

The UK Intellectual Property Office has issued guidance on the potential implications for registered EU trademarks in the event of a no-deal Brexit (an exit from the EU without an agreement).

The office has clarified that the United Kingdom will recognize all registered Community trademarks and automatically convert them into national trademarks, provided that the symbol UK009 is placed before the EU registration number.

While there will be no cost to the trademark owners concerned, the Patent Office will not issue any further certificates of validity. Any information regarding Community trademarks will be available in the UK trademark database.

With regard to pending Community trademark applications, applicants will have up to 9 months to file identical applications for the United Kingdom. In such cases, the applicant will be entitled to the priority granted by the Community trademark application.