The text of the statement, which was sent to all MARQUES members, is:
As I am sure you will know, the United Kingdom (UK) Referendum on membership of the European Union (EU) has resulted in a vote for the UK to LEAVE the European Union.
MARQUES is fully aware of the outcome of the Brexit vote and remains on top of any developments with regard to the consequences that this decision will and may have for trademark owners.
For the time being it is clear that all existing EU laws and EUTM rights will remain fully in force in the UK during the negotiation process for the Brexit, and this may take some time (at least two years and possibly longer), so it is unlikely that any major changes to your IP rights will occur in the immediate future.
Meanwhile MARQUES will be making changes to the programme of the Annual Conference to be held in Villaitana, Alicante in September so that during the Annual Conference we will cover this topic in one of the general sessions.
Further information on the changes to the Conference programme will be sent out shortly and we will of course keep all our members regularly up to date with any further developments on this subject.
The current position is that the UK government has not yet triggered the process to leave the EU. This is likely to take place later this year, once a new prime minister has been appointed.
Once the leaving procedure has been initiated, there is expected to be a two-year period before the UK actually leaves.
The UK IPO has shared some more information on social media. Following the vote, on 28th June, it tweeted that “The IPO is gearing up to ensure strong UK IP regime is maintained through Brexit negotiations. Nothing will happen soon.”
It later added: “Brexit means careful decisions & hard work ahead but the UK remains one of the best IP regimes in the world” and “Brexit negotiations will focus on getting the best for UK inventors, creators & consumers”.
Issue 066
WIPO has announced a new special service for the expedited establishment of an attestation or of a certified copy from the international register
