Preparing your clients to protect and exploit their intellectual property rights in the post-Brexit world

‘Preparing your clients to protect and exploit their intellectual property rights in the post-Brexit world' CMS webinar is taking place on Thursday 17 September 2020.

There are now just a few months until the expiry of the transition period (currently 31 December 2020). Various pieces of Brexit IP legislation, and corresponding practical changes, will take effect from 1 January 2021, irrespective of whether or not the UK is able to reach an agreement with the EU regarding a trading relationship: change is upon us, deal or no deal.

This will result in significant changes affecting your client’s intellectual property rights in the EU and the United Kingdom, particularly in relation to the protection and enforcement trade marks, designs and database rights. New UK registered rights (comparable rights) for trade marks and designs will be created and the impact of the changes on current EUIPO proceedings will need to be reviewed. There will also be significant changes to the database rights and unregistered designs regimes in the UK after 1 January 2021, resulting in a need, in some instances, for rightsholders to seek alternative means of protection. Furthermore, there will be a considerable change to the scope of relief that can be provided by the UK courts when hearing IP disputes, and the possibility of existing IP-focused settlement agreements and pleadings filed in ongoing litigation requiring updates to reflect the UK’s departure from the EU. 

Join our webinar as we discuss these intellectual property issues in more detail, and address the key takeaway points that you and your clients should be considering in the key months leading up to the end of the transition period. We will include practical guidance on the new UK comparable rights, including those arising from International Registrations, and the positive steps that need to taken by you and your clients to protect their IP rights early in 2021. Now is the time to get plans in place.

We hope you will join us for this interesting webinar by registering below.