(Publ. 18 FEB 2020) The UK left the EU on 1 February 2020 and a transition period will run until 31 December 2020. During this period all EU design applications and registrations will continue being in force in the UK. Based on existing EU registrations and applications on 1 January 2021, corresponding national UK registrations and applications will be created as described below.

Groth & Co will take the necessary actions for our clients and associates.

Registrations
On 1 January 2021, based on existing EU registrations, a corresponding national UK registration will automatically be created. The national registration will retain the application date, any noted priority date, registration date and renewal date of the EU registration. It will be allocated a new national registration number. Registrations that are deferred on 1 January 2021 will be treated as applications.

Groth & Co will verify UK national registrations that have been created based on the EU registrations we manage. We will take responsibility for these new registrations as we do with other registrations we manage. There will be an administrative fee in connection with the conversion.

Applications
Based on EU applications pending on 1 January 2021, it will during a period of nine (9) months be possible to apply for registration of a corresponding national UK design. The national application will retain the application date and any noted priority date of the EU application. It will be allocated a new national application number. The cost will be equal to the cost of filing a national UK application. When it is possible to apply for a national registration, consult with your attorney in any pending matters.

Renewals
Upon renewal of an EU registration with a renewal date before 1 January 2021, the renewal will take place within the framework of the EU registration and on 1 January 2021 a new national UK registration is automatically created as described above. In case of renewal of an EU registration that has a renewal date from 1 January 2021, the EU registration and the new national UK registration that was created on 1 January 2021 must be renewed separately. Renewals will be handled in the usual manner.

International registrations (Haag Agreement) designating the EU
Based on an EU designation of an international registration will, as of 1 January 2021, be created either a designation of the UK within the international registration or a national UK registration or application in accordance with the above.We will monitor all developments and keep our clients informed.

Please contact info@groth.eu if you have any questions.