THE UNITED KINGDOM WILL NO LONGER BE A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON JANUARY 31, 2020
On January 29, 2020, the European Parliament ratified the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement previously approved by the United Kingdom Parliament and sanctioned by the Queen on January 23, 2020. As a result of the above, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union on January 31, 2020.
Although the Withdrawal Agreement provides that as of February 1, 2020 the United Kingdom will cease to be a member of the European Union, there will be a transitional period as from the date of departure (February 1, 2020) until December 31, 2020 (subject to further extensions) in which the United Kingdom will continue to apply all the rules of the European Union. During this transitional period, the European Union and the United Kingdom will negotiate a new Trade Agreement.
With regard to Industrial Property rights, there will be changes, among other aspects, in connection with Patents, European Union Trademarks and Community Designs in accordance with the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement as well as with respect to what the parties may agree on a future Trade Agreement.
We are at the entire disposal of our clients to provide our legal advice and guidance on any matter related to this new situation.
