The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has released a withdrawal agreement to ensure the continuity of intellectual property rights in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

With the UK set to leave the European Union (EU) on 31 October 2019, it is important for businesses and individuals to be aware of the potential changes to the UK`s intellectual property (IP) laws.

The withdrawal agreement addresses the following points:

1. Existing EU trademarks and registered community designs will continue to be protected in the UK. This means that holders of these rights will not have to reapply for protection in the UK.

2. Existing unregistered community designs will also continue to be protected in the UK.

3. UK businesses will still be able to file for trademarks and designs through the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). However, these rights will only apply to the remaining EU member states.

4. The UKIPO will create a new right called the “comparable trade mark” which will replace existing EU trademarks in the UK.

5. The UKIPO will also create a new right called the “supplementary unregistered design right” which will provide protection to designs that were first disclosed in the UK after Brexit. This will be similar to the existing unregistered community design right.

It is important for businesses and individuals to review their existing intellectual property rights and file for protection in the UK if necessary. The withdrawal agreement provides reassurance that existing rights will continue to be protected in the UK, but it is important to remain vigilant in the ever-changing Brexit landscape.

Overall, the UKIPO`s withdrawal agreement is a positive step towards ensuring the continuity of intellectual property rights in the UK post-Brexit. Businesses and individuals should familiarize themselves with the changes and take any necessary actions to protect their valuable IP rights.