Barker Brettell Brexit UK Brexit policy 2020 On 31 January 2020 the UK and the EU ratified the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement from the EU. Following Brexit, the UK is now in a transition period which will likely last until 31 December 2020. During this transition period, EU trade mark and registered design filings will continue to cover the UK. European Patents are in any case unaffected by Brexit. Barker Brettell has been working hard to ensure continued protection for our clients in the future IP landscape. We have a global-reach and are more than able to provide the right IP protection, in the UK, EU and worldwide. So how what will your IP rights look like in the future IP landscape? Patents No change The process of applying for a patent and the examination of applications at both the EPO and the UK IPO will not change. So it will remain possible to obtain UK patent protection via a European patent application or via a UK national application and Barker Brettell can handle the process for you. Trade marks and designs Post Brexit and after any transition period two duplicate trade mark or design registrations will exist, one to cover the UK and another to cover the EU. Both registrations will be handled seamlessly by the Barker Brettell trade mark and design team in the UK or Sweden. If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, the government will ensure that the property rights in all existing registered EU trade marks and Community designs will continue to be protected and be enforceable in the UK by providing an equivalent trade mark or design registered in the UK. Post Brexit, new applications for trade marks or designs will need to be applied for both in the EU and in the UK separately. After exit any new EU applications can be handled through the firm’s European office in Stockholm. This will be a seamless back-office process, so there will be no change in procedure or point of contact for our clients. There will then be fully independent UK trade marks and designs which will be separate from the EUTM and Community design and will provide clients with protection in the UK. For designs, registration under the Hague Agreement is also available and Barker Brettell will still be able to file international design applications designating the UK and all remaining EU Member States (as well as many other countries). Since the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016 Barker Brettell has always encouraged its clients to get in touch with their usual attorney if they have any queries or concerns. Behind the scenes we have expanded to create a global-reach unified firm that is more than able to help all our clients achieve the right intellectual property protection for them. Want to know more? Contact your usual attorney here at Barker Brettell or email: brexit@barkerbrettell.co.uk Read our guides on intellectual property rights post-Brexit. Brexit – best practice trade marks Jul20 Design protection post-Brexit Patent protection post-Brexit Listen to our Brexit podcasts The implications of Brexit on UK and EU trade mark applications and registrations The impact of Brexit on trade marks and designs Key issues for design rights in the UK Our Industry Sectors Aerospace Automotive Computing & Software Cosmetics Energy Food & Drink Universities Medical Our Locations BirminghamSouthamptonStockholmLondonMunichNottinghamUppsala Directions & more information Please note that the information contained in the briefing papers on this website is not legal advice but is provided for general guidance purposes only. Please talk to an expert before acting upon the information provided. Barker Brettell paralegals and attorneys are available to advise you on specific IP queries. Please refer to the website terms and conditions for further information. Barker Brettell consists of Barker Brettell LLP and all of its subsidiaries including Barker Brettell Sweden AB Further information can be found in the Legal Information section of our Terms of Use Email us: info@barkerbrettell.co.uk Terms Of Use Privacy Policy Website by Jask Creative