The UK Government has published a White Paper setting out its proposals for the future relationship between the UK and the European Union (EU). These proposals outline a vision for achieving an orderly exit from the EU and maintaining close social and economic ties in the future. The proposals are subject to negotiation and agreement with the EU.
IP matters are barely mentioned in the White Paper except for a restatement of the UK's intention to participate in the Unified Patent Court and the Unitary Patent. The European Patent Convention is not EU law and so Brexit will have no effect on applying for and obtaining European patents at the European Patent Office. EU-wide IP rights such as EU trade mark and design registrations do not feature in the White Paper, but they are explicitly mentioned in the draft Brexit Agreement and are likely to be replicated in the UK post-Brexit.
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