The New Year marked the end of the transition period for the UK’s departure from the EU.  Whilst around 2 million registered EU rights have been automatically cloned onto the UK register, applicants are reminded that any EU trade mark / design applications that were pending on 31 December 2020 will require further action. Should protection in the UK be required from these pending applications, it will be necessary to re-file nationally at the UK IPO (at normal costs).  If this is...

There are a number of jurisdictions requiring the payment of annual maintenance fees in order to maintain the validity of a trade mark registration. All registered trade marks in the Cayman Islands are subject to an annual maintenance fee due each January, which is payable in addition to the renewal fees.  Failure to pay an annual fee by 31st March will cause the protected rights to be held in abeyance until such time as the annual fee and penalty fee have been paid. Annual maintenance...

The Gibraltar authorities have enacted a revision of the Trade Marks Act, which entered into law on 1 January 2021.   Under the provisions of the new law, EU rights cloned on to the UK Register as of 1 January, namely registrations at the EUIPO and International Registrations designating the EUIPO, will be automatically valid in Gibraltar without requiring local re-registration.    The new law also  recognises International Registrations designating the UK as being valid...