Legal updates and opinions
Author
News / News
B= BREXIT – ADVICE TO BRAND OWNERS
By Donvay Wegierski, Director
The initial Brexit date of 29 March 2019 was re-scheduled to 31 October 2019 – deal or no deal.
Our advice to date concerning trade marks is that separate trade marks should be filed in the UK in addition to the EU to avoid the inevitable administrative delays at the UK Intellectual Property Office (“UKIPO”) in the event of a “no deal” Brexit. This is particularly so if the UK is a trading partner and brand owners are advised to review current UK and EUTM trade mark portfolios and if there is no separate UK mark consider the following:
| A “DEAL” BREXIT | All EUTM trade mark registrations will be considered in force and effect in the UK with a transition period until at least December 2020. | |
| A “NO DEAL” BREXIT | EUTM Registrations | Registrations will automatically replicate to the UK as “comparable trade marks (EU)” identifiable by UK009. No further action is required, no additional official fees apply. |
| EUTM Applications | It will be necessary to file an application to the UKIPO for the grant of a UK replica application on payment of a fee. |
|
| Opposed EUTM’s | It will be necessary to file an application to the UKIPO for a UK replica application on payment of a fee. | |
| Pending cancellation application against an EUTM | A new cancellation action may be required in the UK against the “comparable trade marks (EU)”. | |
| Renewals | Two separate renewals will apply for the EUTM and the “comparable trade mark (EU)” when due. | |
| Non-use cancellations |
A trade mark is vulnerable to cancellation for non-use by any interested third party if it has not been used for a period of five years or longer after registration. Currently, as an EUTM includes the UK any use of the mark within the UK could assist in defending a non-use cancellation against an EUTM. On Brexit, use in the UK from then will not be taken into account which brand owners should be aware of. It is not uncommon to refile trade marks that are vulnerable to cancellation, albeit it defensively. |
*A EUTM covers all 28 member countries of the EU, namely Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
Should you require any clarity on the above or assistance with reviewing your current position in the EU please contact our Intellectual Property Team.
Latest News
From Promise to Practice: Responsible AI in South African Healthcare
by Aphindile Govuza, Director, Boitumelo Moti, Director, Janice Geel, Associate and Malique Ukena, Candidate Attorney Artificial intelligence (“AI“) is reshaping [...]
Cracking Down or Catching Up? South Africa’s Approach to Crypto Regulation: Part 1 – Payments
by Armand Swart, Director, Hilah Laskov, Director and Hlonelwa Lutuli, Associate Introduction Crypto assets (“crypto“) exist in a unique regulatory [...]
Employers must timeously take steps to deal with any allegations of sexual harassment raised with them, failing which they may be held liable
by Andre van Heerden, Director and Hannah Fowler, Candidate Attorney Introduction In Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union obo S and [...]
Proposed Economic Opportunity Tax for Casino Operator Licensees in the Western Cape to relocate their casinos
by Wendy Rosenberg, Director and Head of Digital Media & Electronic Communications On 6 June 2025, the draft Western Cape [...]
When does an acquisition by a company of its own shares constitute a scheme of arrangement?
Understanding the relationship between Section 48 and Section 114 of the Companies Act in Light of the Companies Amendment Act, [...]
Are we seeing an end to the appointment of board members to act as CEOs of SOEs / Private Companies?
by Sandile July, Director and Head of Employment and Nonkosazana Nkosi, Director 1. The Labour Court has officially put a [...]
