The Trade Mark Directive (EU 2015/2436) came into force in the UK on 14 January 2019, in the form of the Trade Mark Regulations 2018, bringing about a number of key changes to UK trade mark law. The UKIPO has also published guidance on the practical effect of the Regulation (available here). Below we set
Clare Matheson
UK implements the Trade Mark Directive
UK Treasury to get a grip on public sector IP
Just before Christmas the UK government announced the launch of a study looking at how the public sector’s strong record of developing valuable technology can benefit as many people as possible. This is the government’s first step in taking forward the plans set out in its October 2018 report – “Getting smart about intellectual property
Brexit: UK Cabinet backs the Withdrawal Agreement – but what does it say about IP?
Last night the UK Cabinet backed the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the Future Relationship agreed between the respective negotiating teams of the UK Government and the EU Commission. The Withdrawal Agreement covers the protection of existing unitary intellectual property rights in Articles 54 to 61. The detail has not changed in any material
UPDATE: UK Government comments on Draft EU Withdrawal Agreement
On 19 March the EU and the UK agreed the terms of a Brexit transition period ending on 31 December 2020. An updated colour-coded version of the EU’s Draft Withdrawal Agreement was published by the negotiators indicating which articles are provisionally agreed (highlighted in green), agreed from a policy perspective but subject to the drafting
EU Commission Draft Brexit Agreement clarifies continued Protection for Unitary IPRs
On 28 February 2018, the European Commission published the draft Brexit Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK. The paper is, of course, only a draft and the UK government has not yet commented on or agreed to any of its terms but it is the first time we have had a concrete statement
European Commission paper on Brexit and IP
The European Commission has released a position paper on “Intellectual property rights (including geographical indications)” giving us the first indication of how the Commission will approach the Brexit negotiations with the UK regarding Intellectual Property Rights (“IPR“). The Commission has set up a Taskforce on Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom to prepare the
UK Supreme Court case: criminal sanctions for trade mark infringement
R v M; R v C and R v T The Supreme Court has held that the criminal sanctions under section 92(1) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 (“the Act”) will apply to the sale or so called “grey” market goods as well as counterfeit goods. The Supreme Court’s judgment, handed down last week, is