UNITARY RIGHTS - WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BREXIT?

23/03/17

The European Union operates a so-called “unitary principle”, according to which EU IP rights are in force in all member states, and cannot exist in only some member states.  (This is in contrast to national rights which can be in force in selected member states only and not the whole of the EU).  Thus, currently, EU trade marks (formerly called Community trade marks), registered Community Designs, and unregistered Community designs cover the whole of the EU (including the UK). 

STOP PRESS: THE UK IS STILL IN THE EU!

27/02/17

This may sound like an odd way to start our “2306” Brexit Bulletins, but it’s an important point.  UK people have voted to leave the EU, but leaving does not happen automatically and is likely to take until at least 2019.

Welcome

14/02/17

On 23rd June 2016 (23/06/16), the UK voted to leave the European Union. No country has ever left the European Union before, and no one knows what to expect.