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Introduction

 

On April 1, 1996, the Community trademark system (now known as the "European Union trade mark") was introduced.

This system represents a major step forward because it allows a unitary title to be obtained, valid in the 28 member countries currently designated without specific mention of each country (this excludes  Norway and Switzerland, despite these are states being linked to the European Union by special agreements).

The European Union trademark was then completed by the community design.

If the United Kingdom were to effectively leave the EU on March 29, 2019, and become a third country, or a country linked to the EU by special agreements, European Union trademarks, designs and international trademarks that designate the European Union would naturally cease to have effect in that territory.

Considering that the European Union Trademark Office registers approximately 135,000 new trademarks every year, it can be said that on the day the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, more than 3 million trademarks will cease to have effect in that country.

The situations currently envisaged would be as follows:

 

  • From the date of exit, registered EU trademarks and designs will no longer be part of the European Union

In order not to harm EU trademark owners, the UK government has provided simple, fee-free mechanisms for EU trademark and design owners to obtain an equivalent right registered in the UK.

EU trademark and design owners will be granted an equivalent right in the United Kingdom which will take effect on the day of departure from the UK.

This new right will be granted with a "minimum administrative burden".

European Union titles would be treated as if they had been registered in the UK:

- They will be renewed on the initial date, but under the law of the United Kingdom.

- The obligation of use will start to run for the United Kingdom from the moment the United Kingdom has left the European Union.

The UK government does not give details of the "minimal administrative burden" that will be put in place on the day of departure from the UK but insists on the continuity of EU trade mark and design rights in the UK.

Considering the number (more than 3 million) of securities involved, it is therefore likely that the conversion of EU securities into UK securities will be done automatically without any action on the part of the holder of the EU security.

 

  • From the date of exit, EU trademarks and designs currently being registered will no longer be part of the European Union

For those trademarks and designs which are not yet registered (under examination or under opposition) will have to be converted into a national application at the UK Trade Marks and Designs Office.

Holders of these EU applications would be given a period of 9 months to file their applications for registration with the United Kingdom Trade Marks and Designs Office (UKIPO).

A fee would be payable to the UKIPO, the amount of which is not yet fixed. 

In this situation, it is the filing date of the EU trademark or design (with priority) that will be taken into account for the departure of rights in the United Kingdom.

 

  • International trademarks designating the European Union (EUIPO)

The British Government and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have provided for the automatic designation of the United Kingdom for all international trademarks designating the European Union so that they continue to be protected in Great Britain.

However, it seems that WIPO is currently encountering some technical problems that do not allow this manoeuvre. These problems, which only arise for international trademarks currently designating the EU and the UK, should be resolved by the time of the Brexit.

 

  • Unregistered European Union Designs

These are models which are protected without formality for three years after their disclosure within the European Union.

The UK government will ensure that these models remain valid in the UK for the remaining period of protection.

It does not give details of its action in this respect, but as long as the designs are protected without formality, a simple law stipulating that unregistered EU designs will be protected in the UK for the remaining term of protection should be sufficient.

 

Conclusion

 

Registered EU trademarks and designs should be converted into national trademarks and designs automatically with a minimum of formality and without fees.

Applications for EU trademarks or designs should be subject to an equivalent application before UKIPO but will retain their original filing date.

 Uncertainties remain as to how to transform international trademarks that designate the European Union into international trademarks that designate the United Kingdom, but these are only technical issues that should be resolved by Brexit.

This being said, as the texts are not yet final, the above-mentioned information could still be modified.

 

 

Guillaume MORTREUX

Conseil en Propriété Industrielle Marques

 

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