Pan-European Brexit IP statement published

27th Mar 2018

A number of European intellectual property (IP) organisations, including CITMA, have issued a joint statement on Brexit to the European Commission.

Brexit

A number of European intellectual property (IP) organisations, including CITMA, have issued a joint statement on Brexit to the European Commission following the publication of its recent draft withdrawal agreement and the ongoing negotiations between the EU and UK.

The statement, signed by AIM, APRAM, BMM, CITMA, ECTA, INTA and MARQUES, sets out proposed solutions to some of the issues posed by IP post-Brexit. It follows a meeting at the European Commission with François Arbault last year.

Click here to download the full statement

The joint statement covers:

  • Existing registered IP rights
  • Pending applications
  • Unregistered Designs
  • Use requirement
  • Exhaustion of rights
  • Enforcement
  • Rights of representation

CITMA President Kate O’Rourke said: “It is important to show there is agreement across a number of organisations on the solutions to how IP should be handled post-Brexit. Minimising cost to business and maximising legal certainty are very important for all businesses and IP professionals both in the UK, Europe and beyond.

“We have been working with our colleagues across Europe since the referendum result, to put forward the best available solutions to how IP should be handled once the transition period has concluded.

“UK professionals retaining the right to practice before the EUIPO is of paramount importance and we continue to push for a solution.