CITMA: The year in review
Despite the challenges posed by the UK’s proposed withdrawal from the European Union, we at the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) have maintained a positive outlook on the current and future landscape for IP in the UK and EU.
As you might expect, since the referendum result in 2016 that meant the UK would leave the EU, Brexit has been the key focus for us. It will have a long-lasting impact on our profession.
Our work to influence key stakeholders, including the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) and EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) as well as parliamentarians, has continued throughout the process.
From the outset we have pushed for a solution which maximises legal certainty while minimising cost to business. The fact that the UK IPO agreed that whether there is a deal or not it would give all registered trademarks and designs on the EU register a UK equivalent right was an important milestone in achieving our aim.
However, with increasing uncertainty about what the final deal would be it was vital that we kept the profession up to date. Our regular briefings and updates to members have helped ensure our profession is as prepared as possible for any implications of Brexit.
