10 December 2020

International designs designating the EU will continue to have protection in the UK under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement.

From 1 January 2021, the UK Intellectual Property Office will create a re-registered UK design for every international design (EU), that is protected at the end of the transition period.

Where an international design designating the EU has been applied for, but is not yet protected or where the publication has been deferred, the holder will have a period of nine months to apply for the same right as a UK design.

UK application fees will be payable, and the application will be subject to UK examination requirements.

Re-registered International designs will not be displayed or available to view or search on the UK register from the end of the transition period as there will be a delay in updating UK systems.

Holders of these rights will not be disadvantaged as re-registered UK designs will have effect in law from the end of the transition period.

They will be available on the UK register as soon as practically possible.

The UK IPO will provide continuous updates to customers via GOV.UK once these rights become available to view and search.

For information on renewals, opt out process and numbering please refer to UK IPO business guidance.