As readers will be aware, negotiations between the UK and EU negotiators over a Brexit deal are ongoing. There have, however, been some welcome moves towards certainty in the area of trade marks and designs:

During a House of Commons debate on 19 July a Minister from the Department for Exiting the European Union announced that "we have agreed to protect all existing EU trademarks, community-registered designs and unregistered designs in the UK as we leave the EU. In place of those EU-level rights, 1.5 million new UK trademarks and registered designs will be granted automatically and for free".

Following the publication of its Brexit paper in March, this is another clear signal that the Government agrees with the position proposed by the EU and provides welcome news for brand owners.

The UKIPO subsequently clarified that this is the position subject to agreement being reached and we await news on the Government's position in the event of a "no deal" Brexit.

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