Read here three of Brexit’s main impacts on EU contracts and EU trademarks/designs
Photo: Rocco Dipoppa via Unsplash
An EU trademark and an EU design give the holder rights for all countries of the European Union. With such a trademark or design, one can prohibit others from using a similar trademark or design in all EU countries. Even if the holder does not use that trademark or design in a certain EU country. Existing EU trademark and design registrations automatically extend to new acceding countries. Never before have we had a situation where a country leaves the EU.
When it became clear more than 4 years ago that the United Kingdom (‘UK’) would be leaving the EU, it seemed like a very remote situation, but one with many uncertainties and ambiguities. See the previous (Dutch) blog on the impact of Brexit on EU trademarks and designs and key questions. Negotiations on a trade agreement are still ongoing, but the deadline of January 1, 2021 – the end of the transition period: until then, the British are still bound by EU rules – is rapidly approaching. Whether there will be a hard, no-deal Brexit or not, a lot will change in many areas, including EU trademark and design law.
What is the impact of Brexit on EU contracts and EU trademarks and designs? I will discuss the most important consequences below:
- EU trademark/EU design → automatic division
EU trademarks and EU designs registered before January 1, 2021 will automatically be split into an EU trademark/design and a UK trademark/design. Thus, trademark and design owners do not have to apply for a new trademark or design registration in the UK if they want protection there. However, if the registration is not yet final, this division will not be automatic. In that case, the trademark must also be applied for in the UK separately. This can be done until September 1, 2021 (with additional costs). Are you the owner of an EU trademark or an EU design registration? Then determine (in time) whether your rights extend to the UK and take the necessary measures.Incidentally, licenses registered in the EU register will not be automatically converted into an EU license and a UK license. Registration for the UK will therefore have to be reapplied at the Intellectual Property Office in the UK. This also applies to other (security) rights such as rights of pledge.
- EU contracts → check/amend
For many companies, it is very important that contracts with English contract partners and/or that contain EU-wide provisions and/or cover an EU trademark or design, will be checked, renegotiated and amended where necessary. For example, in the case of license contracts, where a license has been granted for the use of an EU trademark, the situation after January 1, 2021 must be checked and, if necessary, renegotiated: will that license still apply to the UK or is the UK not included?
- Will an EU injunction still be valid in the UK?
EU trademark owners and EU design owners that started proceedings before an EU court and obtained a decision before January 1, 2021, will be able to execute the judgment, also in the UK. Proceedings initiated before January 1, 2021, that did not yet lead to a judgment, will no longer be enforceable in the UK. In line with this, UK courts will no longer be able to take a decision in cases where an EU trademark or EU design is involved. Decisions of UK courts taken before January 1, 2021 can still be enforced in the EU.
Important consequences for all holders of EU trademarks and EU designs and in general for all companies dealing with contracts extending to ‘the EU’: as from January 1, 2021 the scope may be different/limited (also read this information). So check those contracts carefully.
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Marjolein Driessen
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