Why the UK is GREAT for intellectual property
Kate O’Rourke MBE, President of The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
The UK is renowned as a hub of innovation, something which extends to the protection and enforcement of valuable intellectual property (IP) rights. I am proud to be the President of a professional body in a sector with such an international reputation for excellence.
Not only do we have first-rate IP legal professionals and specialists here in the UK, but we have a world-leading IP system to complement it — just a couple of the reasons why the UK is a global hub for IP work.
Innovative system
A versatile network of courts gives a choice of litigation routes.
The UK’s Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) is an excellent example of the innovation that is prevalent in the UK legal sector. Through the court, which has specialist judges, you can gain an enforceable decision quickly and at a low cost.
Perhaps you may not be surprised then to hear that the US Chamber of Commerce ranked the UK as the world leader for IP enforcement in its most recent index, in 2016.
Hub for intellectual property legal work
The UK IP legal sector is highly sophisticated and is used by organisations, large and small, to protect vast global IP portfolios. The experience UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys have in managing these international trade mark and design portfolios is why they are used by many global businesses.
The Intellectual Property Office is highly experienced, responsive and innovative. You can expect a timely turnaround on your IP right application, and examinations are clear and well informed. Many world-famous international trade mark registrations are based on an original UK right.
After all, there is a reason why the top three legal firms in the world (Chambers Global rankings), Baker McKenzie, Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy, choose to have sizeable intellectual property divisions in the UK.
Professionals
From IP lawyers at top firms to specialist Chartered Trade Mark Attorney practices, our profession has a talented collection of legal professionals who help their clients to maximise the value of and exploit IP portfolios around the globe.
This was formally recognised in 2016 when the UK trade mark attorney professional body was awarded a Royal Charter by The Queen, distinguishing the profession for its high level of expertise, trust and skill in dealing with complex and challenging IP matters.
History
The UK’s IP legislation is based on centuries of knowledge, and we have never stopped responding to new developments. Back in 1862 it was the Merchandise Marks Act that first made imitating another’s trade mark illegal. In 1876, the Trade Marks Registry first opened, and beer brewer Bass & Co’s famous ‘red triangle’ became UK trade mark number 1.
This level of innovation has continued through many revisions of trade mark and IP laws, and supporting services. The UK will continue to be a world-leading place for IP for decades to come.
Founded in 1934 and Chartered in 2016, The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) is a professional membership organisation representing the interests of over 1500 trade mark and design professionals. It celebrated its first anniversary of becoming a Chartered body on 24th November 2017.
@CITMAuk
