Trade Marks Act 1994

Effect of seniority claim U.K.

[F1 14 (1) This paragraph applies where immediately before IP completion day an existing IR(EU) has a valid claim to seniority of a trade mark which trade mark (the “senior mark”) is a registered trade mark or a protected international trade mark (UK).

(2) The comparable trade mark (IR) which derives from the existing IR(EU) is to be treated on and after IP completion day as if it had a valid claim to seniority of the senior mark.

(3) Accordingly, where the proprietor of the comparable trade mark (IR) surrenders the senior mark or allows it to lapse (whether wholly or partially), subject to paragraph 15, the proprietor of the comparable trade mark (IR) is deemed to continue to have the same rights as the proprietor would have had if the senior mark had continued to be registered in respect of all the goods or services for which it was registered prior to the surrender or lapse.

(4) An existing IR(EU) has a valid claim to seniority of a trade mark where—

(a) a claim has been filed in accordance with Article 191 or 192 of the European Union Trade Mark Regulation in respect of the international registration to which the existing IR(EU) is subject; and

(b) the seniority so claimed has not lapsed in the circumstances referred to in Article 39 of that Regulation (as it applies to international registrations under Article 182 of that Regulation).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2B inserted (31.12.2020) by The Designs and International Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/638), reg. 1, Sch. 4 para. 3 (with Sch. 5 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1050, regs. 1(2), 22(b)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)