英国正式脱欧，商标专利何去何从??

The UK and EU have ratified the Withdrawal Agreement. This allows the UK to depart the EU on 31 January 2020 and for the transition period (1 February 2020 to 31 December 2020) to begin. During this time, EU law will continue to operate as it does now in the UK. The Intellectual Property (IP) system will continue as it is until 31 December2020.

英国和欧盟已签署脱欧协议。由此，英国于2020年1月31日正式脱欧，同时脱欧过渡期将于2020年2月1日开始至2020年12月31日结束。在此期间，欧盟法律将继续对英国有效。欧盟知识产权体系也同样对英国有效，直至2020年12月31日（过渡期）结束。

There will be no disruptionto IPO services or changes to the UK IP system during this transition period. The IPO will convert almost 1.4 million EU trademarks and 700,000 EU designs to comparable UK rights at the end of thetransition period. These will come into effect on 1 January 2021. These arrangements provide legal certainty and protect the interests of rightsholders and users of the IP framework.

过渡期间，英国知识产权局将继续开放，英国知识产权系统也不会变更。过渡期末，英国知识产权局将使近1400万件欧盟商标和70万件欧盟外观专利直接转换为其相应的英国权利。这将于2021年1月1日生效。这样的安排具有法律确定性，并保护了知识产权框架下权利人及用户的利益。

EUtrade marks

欧盟商标

From the 1 January 2021, EUTMs will no longer protect trade marks in the UK. Under the Withdrawal Agreement Act, on the 1 January 2021, the IPO will create acomparable UK trade mark for all right holders with an existing EU trade mark. Existing EUTMs will still protect trade marks in EU member states. UK businesses can still to apply the EU Intellectual Property Office for an EUTM.There will be no changes to UK-registered trade marks as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

自2021年1月1日起，欧盟商标将不再保护英国的商标。依照脱欧协议，2021年1月1日，英国知识产权局将使权利人的现有欧盟商标转换为相应的英国商标，现有的欧盟商标的保护范围仍然涵盖所有欧盟成员国。英国企业仍然可以向欧盟知识产权局申请欧盟商标。脱欧对现有的英国注册商标不构成影响。

If you have a pending EUTM application, you’ll be able to apply to register a comparable UK trade mark in the 9 months after 1 January 2021. You’ll keep the earlier filing date of the pending EUTM.

针对申请中的欧盟商标，在2021年1月1日后的9个月内，申请人可将其转换申请为相应的英国商标。英国商标的申请时间将和在先欧盟商标的申请时间保持一致。

Receivinga comparable UK trade mark

欧盟-英国商标的转换

On 1 January 2021, IPO will create a comparable UK trademark for every registered EU trade mark (EUTM). Each of these UK rights will:

2021年1月1日，英国知识产权局将让所有已注册的欧盟商标转换为相应的英国商标。所有的新转换的英国商标将：

a. be recorded on the UK trade mark register;

登记在英国商标注册处；

b. have the same legal status as if you had applied for and registered it under UK law;

与依照英国法律直接注册的英国商标享有同等的法律地位；

c. keep the original EUTM filing date;

申请日期与原始欧盟商标申请日期相同；

d. keep the original priority or UK seniority dates;

保留原始优先/在先日期；

be fully independent UK trade mark that can be challenged, assigned, licensed or renewed separately from the original EUTM.

将从原先的欧盟商标分离并成为完全独立的英国商标，可以被挑战（反对/异议/撤销/无效）、允许被转让，许可或续展。

You will not:

权利人

a. need to pay for your equivalent or comparable UK trade mark – and there will beas little administration involved as possible;

无需支付欧盟商标转换为英国商标的费用，商标转换手续也将尽可能被简化。

b. receive a UK registration certificate, but you will be able to access details about the trade mark on GOV.UK;

不会收到英国商标的注册证书，但可在英国政府网-知识产权局网查到商标的详细信息； 

Registering a pending EUTM application as a UKtrade mark

申请中的欧盟商标-英国商标转换

We will only create a comparable UK trade mark for EUTMs registered before 1January 2021. If you have an EUTM application that’s still pending on 1 January2021, you’ll be able to apply to register for a comparable UK trade mark, the application must:

只有在2021年1月1日前已经注册的欧盟商标才可被直接转换为英国注册商标。若商标在2021年1月1日仍处于申请中的状态，那么申请人可将其申请转换为英国商标。申请中的欧盟-英国商标的转换需遵循：

a. relate to the same trade mark that was the subject of the EUTM application;

转换商标必须与欧盟申请商标一致；

b. seek protection in respect of goods and services that are identical to, orcontained within, the corresponding EU application;

保护的产品/服务需与在先欧盟申请所保护的产品/服务一致，或不超过欧盟商标保护的产品/服务范围；

c. If the details of your application do not match those of the corresponding EUTM application, you will not be able to claim the earlier EU filing or priority dates;

若申请商标的明细与相应的欧盟商标不一致，那么将不能要求优先日期，英国申请日和欧盟申请日也无法保持一致；

d. You must submit your application within 9 months of 1 January 2021. We will then:

转换申请必须在2021年1月1日起的9个月内提交，届时，知识产权局将：

treat the pending EUTM application as a UK application;

视欧盟转换为英国的商标申请为英国申请；

examineit under UK law;

依照英国法律对其进行审查；

The usual UK fees of £170 will apply, including one class of goods or services, andan extra £50 for each additional class.

申请人需支付转换申请费用。首类官费为170英镑，此类官费为50英镑。

You may be intending to file a UK trade mark application that does not correspond to a pending EUTM application in the 9 months after 1 January 2021. If so, you should note that someone could file a UK application after yours and claim the earlier date of a corresponding EUTM application that was pending on 1 January 2021. Where this happens, the later-filed UK application will take precedence.

2021年1月1日起的9个月内，申请人若意图提交与欧盟申请不一致的英国申请，那么需注意：也许某一人的欧盟商标申请日晚于你的欧盟商标申请日，但该申请人申请转换与其欧盟商标完全一致的英国商标，那么转换后的英国商标申请日将与其欧盟商标申请一致，他的英国商标申请日也将早于你的英国商标申请日。

Pending cancellation actions

撤销申请中的商标

On 1 January 2021, there will be registered cases which are going through cancellation actions. The cancellation will only have effect if the grounds areapplicable in the UK. This means that you will not need to launch a separate cancellation action on the comparable right after 1 January 2021.

2021年1月1日也有许多正处于撤销程序中的案子。只有当撤销理由适用于英国法律时，转换的英国商标才会被撤销。也就是说，提撤销人无需再针对转换的英国商标单独提撤销。

Use and reputation

商标的使用与知名度

For a national trade mark, an uninterrupted period of 5 years’ non- use in the UKcan render a mark vulnerable to challenge. Applying this approach to comparable UK trade marks created on 1 January 2021, many of which will correspond to EUTMs that have never been used in the UK, would not provide enough protection for those new comparable rights. It would likely lead to outcomes that are unintended and unjust.

一个英国商标可能因连续5年未使用而容易被提撤销，这对2021年1月1日从欧盟商标转换过来的英国商标也同样适用，许多商标从未在英国使用，这将削弱英国法律对其保护力度。因此，很可能导致意想不到或不公正的结果。

To address this, the new law ensures that any use of the mark in the EU made before 1 January 2021, whether inside or outside the UK, will count as use of the comparable UK right. Where the 5-year period includes time before 1 January2021, use in the EU will be considered. Where the period includes any time after 1 January 2021, use of the comparable trade mark in the EU (and outsideof the UK) within that period will not be taken into account.

为了解决这个问题，新法律确保2021年1月1日之前在欧盟境内对商标的任何使用（无论在英国境内还是在英国境外），都将算作在英国有使用。

Assessment of reputation

商标知名度的评估

In relation to the consideration of any time before 1 January 2021, reputation ofthe corresponding EU trade mark, in the EU but not necessarily in the UK, willbe considered for the purposes of the comparable UK right. Where oppositions filed after 1 January 2021 are based on a comparable UK trade mark, the same approach will apply to conditions of use.

2021年1月1日前在欧盟享有知名度但在英国未有知名度的新转换的英国商标，为了维护其英国权利，该商标的欧盟知名度也将被予以考虑。2021年1月1日后，若异议是基于新转换的英国商标提出的，相同的方法将适用于使用条件。

Opting out of the comparable UK trade mark

不转换英国商标

If you do not wish to hold the new right, you may opt out of holding it. If you opt out, the comparable right will be treated as if it had never been appliedfor or registered under UK law.

如果权利人不希望将欧盟商标转换为英国商标，则可以选择放弃。如果选择放弃，依照英国法律，该商标从未申请或注册过英国商标。

You may not exercise an opt-out right if you have used the comparable UK right inthe UK. This also applies if you have:

若权利人在英国有使用相应的权利，则不得放弃转换申请。包含以下情形：

a. assigned or licensed or entered into an agreement in relation to it;

涉及商标的转让或许可协议；

b. you have initiated litigation based upon the comparable UK right;

已基于相应的英国权力提起了诉讼。

Requesting an opt-out

申请放弃转换

Opt-outrequests can only be submitted after 1 January 2021. Any requests made before then will not be valid.

放弃转换的申请需在2021年1月1日之后提交，任何在此之前的申请视为无效。

You will need to submit a notice to IPO providing the EUTM number, along with details of anyone with an interest in the EUTM. By law, notice to interested third parties must be given for opt-out to have effect. You must confirm that such action has been taken.

权利人需向英国知识产权局提交一份声明并提供欧盟商标号，以及欧盟商标的利益相关方信息。依照法律，该放弃转换声明必须通知到利益攸关的第三方才能生效。权利人需确保已通知到位。

Registration numbers for equivalent and comparableUK trade marks

同等注册号和相应的英国商标

IPO will provide a means for identifying comparable UK rights and distinguishing them from existing UK trade marks. The number allocated to the comparable mark will be the last 8 digits of the EUTM prefixed with UK009. The following examples demonstrate how comparable UK trade marks will be codified:

英国知识产权局将采取措施来确定这些欧盟商标相应的英国权利，并将它们和现有的英国商标区分开来。新转换的英国商标的商标号将由UK009加上欧盟商标号的后8位数组成。例如：

Renewing trade marks

商标续展

Once a comparable UK trade mark is created, a separate renewal fee will apply for each comparable UK trade mark and the existing EUTM.The fees will need to be paid separately to IPO and the EUIPO. For the purposes of future renewal, the comparable UK right will retain the existing renewal date of the corresponding EUTM.

英国商标一旦转换完成，那么到商标续展时，权利人需分别向欧盟知识产权局和英国知识产权局支付商标的续展费用（分别续展欧盟商标和英国商标）。对于将来的续展，新转换的英国商标续展日期将和相应的欧盟商标续展日期保持一致。

Under existing law, we send a renewal reminder to any UK trade mark owner whose rightis due to expire, and we do so 6 months ahead of the expiry date. This practice will be retained for all comparable UK trade marks with renewal dates that fallmore than 6 months after 1 January 2021. We are also changing the law to accommodate EUTMs that have expired in the 6 months before 1 January 2021, andare still in their late renewal period when we leave the EU.

依照现行法律，英国知识产权局将在续展到期日前的6个月下发续展提醒通知。2021年1月1 日后6个月或6个月以上到期的商标将继续保留这种做法。对于2021年1月1日前6个月到期或处于宽展期的欧盟商标，英国将修改法律以适应新转换的英国商标。

Where the comparable UK trade mark expires within 6 months after 1 January 2021, there will not be enough time for IPO to issue the standard renewal reminder in advance of the expiry date. A renewal reminder will be sent to you on theactual date of expiry, or as soon as practicable after that date. The reminder will inform you that the comparable UK trade mark has expired. You will begiven another 6 months from the date of the letter to renew the right. The‘late’ renewal of comparable UK trade marks which have expired within 6 monthsafter 1 January 2021 will not be subject to an additional renewal fee. You will only have to pay the standard UK renewal fee calculated by reference to the number of classes retained in the comparable UK trade mark.

2021年1月1日后6个月内到期的英国商标，知识产权局无充分时间在到期日前提醒权利人进行续展。续展提醒可能在商标到期日或到期日之后才发出。这种情况下，自提醒函发出日起的6个月内，权利人仍可对商标进行“正常”续展且无需支付宽展费用，仅需支付正常的续展费用。

Licences, security interests and assignments

许可，担保利益及转让

Subject to any specific conditions it may require, the new law confirms that a licenceor security interest recorded against an EUTM will continue to have legal effect in the UK. It is important that you notify any licencees of the new right, and check that the creation of the new right does not breach any agreement.

根据可能需要的特定条件，新法律确认针对欧盟商标记录在案的许可或担保权益将继续在英国具有法律效力。但许可人应让被许可人知悉新的英国权利并确保该权利不会违反协议。

Where an EUTM has been the subject of an assignment before 1 January 2021 that hasnot been recorded in the EUTM register, the comparable trade mark will begranted to the assignor. The assignor or the assignee will have the right after1 January 2021 to apply for the registration of the comparable trade mark inthe name of the assignee.

2021年1月1日前转让未完成的欧盟商标，则新的英国商标权利仍然为转让人所有，但转让人和受让人有权在2021年1月1 日后向官方申请将该权利注册在受让人名义下。

Conversion

转换

An EU trade mark registration or application that has been refused or withdrawn may be converted into a national right. This is subject to certain conditions,and provided that the application for conversion is submitted to the EUIPO within 3 months of the EU right ceasing to have effect.

被驳回或撤回的欧盟商标注册或申请可以转换为英国商标权利。但要求申请人在欧盟权利终止生效后的三个月内向欧盟知识产权局申请。

RegisteredCommunity Designs (RCD)

已注册的欧盟外观专利

The UK will remain part of the EU registered Community design system throughout the transition period. Registered Community designs (RCD) will continue to extend to the UK during this time. We will not create comparable UK designs on 31 January 2020. These rights will be created at the end of the transition periodunder the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement.

过渡期间，欧盟外观专利的保护领域仍包含英国。2020年1月31日，这些外观专利不会直接转换为英国外观专利。转换将于过渡期末进行。

Businesses, organisations or individuals that have applications for an RCD which areongoing at the end of the transition period will have a period of nine months from the end of the transition period to apply in the UK for the sameprotections.

过渡期末仍在申请欧盟外观专利的企业，组织或个人在过渡期结束时起的9个月内，可向英国官方申请同样的保护。

Unregistered designs

未注册的欧盟外观专利

In accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement, unregistered Community designsarising before the end of the transition period will continue to be protected in the UK for the remainder of their three-year term. Designs disclosed in the UK after the end of the transition period may be protected in the UK through the supplementary unregistered design, which will protect two- and three-dimensional designs for three years.

根据脱欧协议，在过渡期结束之前未注册的欧盟外观专利将在三年的剩余时间内继续在英国受到保护。过渡期结束后在英国公开的外观专利可以通过补充的未注册外观专利在英国受到保护，二维和三维外观专利也将有3年的保护期。

International registrations designating theEuropean Union

马德里/海牙指定欧盟注册

During the transition period, international registrations for trade marks and designs protected via the Madrid and Hague systems which designate the European Union will continue to extend to the UK.

过渡期内，通过马德里指定的欧盟商标以及通过海牙指定的欧盟外观专利将继续在英国有效。

In accordance with the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, international registrations for trade marks and designs that have been protected before the end of the transition period will continue to be protected in the UK after 31 December 2020. We are continuing to work with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on the mechanism to ensure continued protection.

根据脱欧协议条款，2020年12月31日过渡期截至后，通过国际注册的商标和外观在英国仍受保护。英国将与国际知识产权组织（WIPO）协商继续保护机制。

Rights of Representation

代理权利

During the transition period, UK legal representatives will continue to have the right to represent clients before the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The Withdrawal Agreement (WA) ensures that UK legal representatives can continue to represent their clients before the EUIPO in cases that are ongoing atthe end of the transition period.

根据脱欧协议，过渡期间或过渡期截至前，英国律师代理仍有权代表客户在欧盟知识产权局处理业务。

Patents

专利

You can apply for a European patent through us or direct to the European Patent Office (EPO) to protect your patent in more than 30 countries in Europe, using the (non-EU) European Patent Convention (EPC).

根据欧洲（非欧盟）专利公约，申请人仍可通过英国知识产权局或欧洲专利局（EPO）申请欧洲专利，并使其欧洲专利在欧洲的30多个国家受保护。

As the EPO is not an EU agency, leaving the EU does not affect the current European patent system. Existing European patents covering the UK are also unaffected. European patent attorneys based in the UK continue to be able to represent applicants before the EPO.

因为欧洲专利局并非欧盟机构，脱欧并不会影响当前的欧洲专利系统。覆盖英国的现有欧洲专利也不受影响。在英国的欧洲专利律师可继续为申请人代理欧洲专利。

Copyright

版权

Continued reciprocal protection for copyright works between the UK and the EU is assuredby the international treaties on copyright. This is independent of ourrelationship with the EU so is not addressed in the Withdrawal Agreement.

国际版权条约确保了英国与欧盟之间版权作品的持续互惠保护。这与脱欧无关，因此在脱欧协议中未涉及。

Current cross-border copyright arrangements which are unique to EU member states (such as cross-border portability of online content services and reciprocal protection for databases)will continue to apply to the UK until the end of the transition period.

当前欧盟成员国独有的跨境版权安排（例如线上内容服务的跨境可移植性和数据库的对等保护）将继续适用于英国，直到过渡期结束为止。

本文英文来自英国政府网-英国知识产权局网，相关链接如下：

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-trademark-protection-and-comparable-uk-trademarks

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/changes-to-eu-and-international-designs-and-trade-mark-protection-after-the-transition-period

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/intellectual-property-and-the-transition-period