M&C in the news: UK Eases Trademark Rules To Allow Partial Int'l Replacements

Earlier this week, we were pleased to be invited to contribute to a recent Law360 article discussing recent changes to trade mark rules.  These changes, which came into force on November 21, 2024, bring the U.K. in line with Madrid Protocol obligations, offering greater flexibility for intellectual property owners managing their trademarks internationally.

Michael Shaw shared insights on how the revisions could make the replacement process more appealing to trade mark owners, enabling cost savings on renewal fees by streamlining national and international registrations.

This development is a significant step forward for trademark holders, enhancing efficiency and adaptability in global IP strategy.

Read the full article below (please note paywall restrictions apply)

Michael Shaw, a partner at Marks & Clerk, told Law360 Tuesday that holders have rarely used the replacement process until now, in part due to the different classification practices adopted in the U.K. and internationally. Variations in the goods and services the different trademark registrations covered meant holders would often have to maintain national registrations alongside international designations, he said. But the revised rules "should make the replacement process much more attractive to trademark owners, particularly where it will allow the trademark owner to let national registrations lapse in certain classes thereby reducing future renewal fees," Shaw said.

www.law360.com/...