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We at Mewburn Ellis are here to navigate the Brexit landscape with you and make sure you are prepared for the changes.

We understand that Brexit fatigue may have set in for some, but we’d like to update you on recent developments, and reassure you that your intellectual property (IP) rights remain in safe hands with us.

We have developed our “Navigating the Brexit Landscape” blog series which focusses on what Brexit means for trade marks, patents and designs, to ensure that you are up to date with all current situations. We will be providing regular updates as more information becomes available.

While there are bound to be a few twists and turns along the way, the good news is that the UK government and EU are both committed to a smooth transition for intellectual property rights and related issues, and many issues have been provisionally agreed between the UK and EU. The UK government is also preparing in the event that no agreement is in place - the UK has passed legislation to ensure EU legislation is incorporated into UK law, and that existing rights are respected. Of course, there are still a few questions that need answering, and detail to be agreed. In our blog series below, we examine the facts that are already clear and discuss the possible outcomes to these unanswered questions.

NAVIGATING THE BREXIT LANDSCAPE BLOG SERIES

There's lots going on around Brexit and it's changing all the time. We will be bringing you a series of blogs when key developments happen so you can always be up to date. Click on the link below to view the latest articles.

View our Brexit insights and blogs

Trade Marks

The UK government and EU set out their agreed position on many of the issues related to intellectual property rights in the Draft Withdrawal Agreement. The UK government has also published papers explaining the approach in the event no agreement can be reached. Our consistent advice, which we still consider to be the best course of action for most clients and applicants at present, is that in order to protect brands in the EU, it remains appropriate to continue filing applications at the EUIPO, and that there is currently no legal necessity for dual filing in the UK. 

Learn more about what Brexit means for trade marks

 Patents

We’re expecting there will be little that’s different after Brexit, because the existing European patent system will be unaffected by the UK leaving the EU. While no action is needed immediately, it’s important to consider the potential impact of the planned opening of the Unified Patent Court.

Learn more about what Brexit means for patents

 Designs

The UK government and EU set out their agreed position on many of the issues related to intellectual property rights in the Draft Withdrawal Agreement. The UK government has also published papers explaining the approach in the event no agreement can be reached. Our consistent advice, which we still consider to be the best course of action, is that in order to protect brands in the EU, it remains appropriate to continue filing applications at the EUIPO, and that there is no legal necessity for dual filing in the UK. Recent publications by the UK government promise the introduction of a new UK supplementary Unregistered Design Right.

Learn more about what Brexit means for designs

 Brexit - Here for you

In November 2017, we cemented our position as one of Europe’s leading specialist IP firms by opening an office in Munich, Germany. Since then, we have enjoyed a period of successful growth, welcoming key hires and moving to larger premises to accommodate further expansion. Our trade mark practice was further strengthened as we were joined by Partner Dydra Donath, a highly experienced German national trade mark attorney with a doctorate in law.

Our Munich office enhances our ability to service all of our clients. As a firm, we will continue to act before the EUIPO through the transitional period and beyond. Our Munich team will become the focus for our EUIPO work. Christoph Moeller, European patent attorney and partner in our Munich office, is an EUIPO representative with designs experience. Our Munich attorneys are supported by an experienced team of qualified paralegals and we have further hires in the pipeline.

Our Munich team will continue to draw on the considerable EUIPO experience of our UK trade mark and design practitioners, some of whom have been practising since the creation of OHIM/OAMI (the predecessor of the EUIPO)

Learn more about our Munich office

If you want to find out more or speak to an expert about Brexit click on the button to the right.
HELP WITH BREXIT