INTA assembles rapid response team in wake of ‘Brexit’ vote
The International Trademark Association (INTA) has assembled an emergency team to assess the intellectual property implications of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
Reacting to the news, Etienne Sanz de Acedo, chief executive of INTA, said the organisation had assembled a “rapid response group” to advise members following the referendum.
A report will be published in the coming weeks.
Both INTA and Marques, an EU-based IP organisation, have said they will be keeping a close eye on developments, which they say indicate “a period of uncertainty”.
Uwe Over, chairman of Marques, said it would remain on top of any developments, adding that the organisation would be making changes to the programme for its annual conference in September in order to cover the topic.
The European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA) told WIPR it was an “unprecedented situation”.
The spokesperson added: “ECTA asks its members to stay calm. The vote gives us a chance to think again and anew and there will be time to plan for each IP owner. ECTA will of course keep its members informed regularly on the developments and the consequences for IP owners and practitioners following the result.”
In a historic referendum on Thursday, June 23, the UK voted to leave the EU. The final was 52% in favour of leaving and 48% in favour of remaining.
The morning after the decision, WIPR spoke to lawyers in both the UK and Europe who aired their concerns over the decision.
Both INTA and Marques stressed that no change would occur immediately.
“For the time being it is clear that all existing EU laws and European Union trademark rights will remain fully in force in the UK during the negotiation process for the ‘Brexit’, and this may take some time, so it is unlikely that any major changes to your IP rights will occur in the immediate future,” Over said.
De Acedo said that although Brexit initiates a period of uncertainly for brand owners, it is important to note that nothing will change immediately.
“This is the beginning of a process during which the UK and the EU will negotiate the terms of the separation. During this time, the UK will continue being a full member of the EU, subject to all its rules and regular activity,” he added.
