The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has issued a statement setting out the facts relating to intellectual property in the context of the UK's referendum vote to leave the EU (Brexit).

The IPO notes that EU trade marks and Community designs will remain available for the time being, and says that it will be exploring options and consulting interested parties as to long-term coverage of these rights. It reminds readers that the Madrid system remains available for the efficient registration of trade marks in other countries, and that the Hague system for overseas design registrations is due to be ratified by the UK soon, in the hope that the system will become available by 2017.

UK unregistered design right will continue to apply, but the eventual effect of Brexit on UK copyright law is not yet known, as this will depend on the terms of the UK's future relationship with the EU.

Brexit will not affect UK businesses' ability to apply to the European Patent Office for European patents applicable in the UK, and the UK remains a signatory to the Unified Patent Court Agreement for the time being.

The UK will also continue to play a full role in IP enforcement efforts and the ongoing review of the IP Enforcement Directive (2004/48/EC) for the time being.

Source: IPO announcement, 2 August 2016.