Brexit and IP: Mixed messages on Europe

Worries about representation

We asked the law firms how concerned they are about the status of UK-qualified trademark and design lawyers’ representation rights at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) post Brexit. This issue has not yet been resolved.

The options were 1) not at all; 2) moderately; 3) very; and 4) extremely. Of those that answered directly, three said ‘not at all’, two answered ‘moderately’, and one responded with ‘very’; none opted for ‘extremely’.

The ‘very concerned’ respondent, Lee Curtis, partner at HGF, clarified that “we would say our concern is ‘very’, but there will be no adverse impact on HGF’s ability to act for UK and non-UK clients before the EUIPO”.