On 24 June 2016, the results of the United Kingdom (UK) Referendum on the membership of the European Union (EU) showed that the UK voted to LEAVE the EU. This is an unprecedented situation. However, the UK will remain member of the EU for at least two years. Thus, EUTMs and RCDs will remain in force in the UK and there is no immediate loss of IP. The European Communities Trademark Association (ECTA) asks its members to stay calm. The vote gives us a chance to think again and anew and there will be time to plan for each IP owner. ECTA will of course keep its members informed regularly on the developments and the consequences for IP owners and practitioners following the Brexit result.
Intellectual Property