The post-referendum landscape for ‘soft’ IP rights

Table of contents

• What does Brexit mean for IP law in the UK now and following Brexit?
• Validly registered EU trade marks (TMs) are currently protected and enforceable across all Member States. What will happen to EU TMs following complete exit from the EU? How would those rights be protected in the UK?
• Validly registered Community designs, and Community unregistered design right, are currently protected across all member states. What will happen following complete exit from the EU? How would those rights be protected in the UK?
• What will happen to copyright and database right law, in terms of the application of EU Directives such as the InfoSoc Directive and the Database Directive?
• What will happen to the UK’s approach to the digital single market strategy? Would the UK still move towards greater harmonisation with Europe?

Article summary

IP & IT analysis: Kate Swaine and Gordon Harris, both partners at Gowling WLG, consider the potential impact of Brexit on ‘soft’ IP rights in Europe.