Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will negotiate for (1) the UK to remain part of the system of EU wide registration of trade marks and designs, and (2) the continued right of audience for UK Trade Mark Attorneys before the EU Intellectual Proerty Office, after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government set out its position on the future economic relationship with the EU, including on intellectual property and the cross-border provision of legal services, in the White Paper published on 12 July 2018. The final outcome is subject to future negotiations with the European Union.

In the meantime, we have agreed withdrawal provisions with the EU that cover intellectual property and provide right holders and intellectual property practitioners with legal certainty. In particular, the Government will provide holders of EU trade marks and designs with equivalent UK rights so that they do not experience any loss of protection in the UK after the end of the implementation period. These rights will be provided automatically and for free.

Further, we are working with the EU to ensure that the Withdrawal Agreement contains appropriate provisions for intellectual property practitioners in pending proceedings before the EU Intellectual Property Office at the end of the implementation period. We have made excellent progress across the Withdrawal Agreement and are close to concluding an agreement setting out the terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union.