With a no deal Brexit at the end of the current transition period now a distinct possibility, the EUIPO has recently clarified what we already suspected: that holders of European Union Trade Mark Registrations (EUTMs) with UK representatives will require an EU-based representative.
Harrison IP has planned ahead for this eventuality. We established a French office, complying with all the formalities set out by the EUIPO, in 2019. The French office is up and running and already acting for our clients in EU matters, including EUTM applications, and opposition and cancellation proceedings.
Our EUTM-owning clients needn’t do anything come the end of the Brexit transition period (currently set for 31 December 2020, unless extended). Your EUTM is or will be officially represented by our French office, but in your dealings with us, it’s business as usual. We have already made provision for taking onto our records the “cloned” UK trade mark right you will get at the end of the transition period by virtue of your EUTM, as well as docketing all the relevant deadlines related to it.
All of this will be done at no charge to our existing clients.
If you have any queries, or would like to discuss our French office taking over representation of any of your EUTMs where we’re not already on the record, you can contact us at: info [at] harrisonip.fr