Medilink North of England News 2019 Medilink NOE News 2019 | Page 8

BREXIT, THE TIME, THE TOLL AND THE TRANSITION. On the 31 October 2019 the UK could leave the European Union, in either a ‘no deal’ or a ‘negotiated deal’ scenario. Brexit continues to be hugely politically divisive, and while it is clearly a central focus for Westminster and Brussels, it is also having, and will continue to have, a real effect on the Health sector. Issues such as migrant workers, material costs, EU and non-EU competition (i.e. China) and of course EU wide regulatory frameworks, are some of many key elements that Medilink members and the wider sector must consider. Medilink has been asked by UK Government agencies to ensure Brexit updates and guidance are supplied to our members, which we have been providing across recent months (please contact us on [email protected] if you would like these to be sent to you). In this feature we have asked some of Medilink’s partners to give you their insights on Brexit, and what it means in their own areas of expertise. Please contact Medilink directly using [email protected] if you would like to follow up with any of the authors mentioned below. WORLDFIRST INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS HGF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALISTS If you hadn’t planned around these for the March 29th deadline then you now have until October 31st to make the necessary preparations. Think about dates and make sure that you make the necessary changes to accommodate the shift in timing – e.g. contract dates that may have been enough to tide your business over for a few months may now no longer be fit for purpose. Think too about receivables or bills to be paid in foreign currency too that could rapidly become more expensive if a hedging program that rolls any protection forward to maintain an adequate level of cover is not in place. Jeremy Thomson-Cook - Chief Economist - WorldFirst The UK Government has provided certainty in respect of registered EU trade marks and Community registered designs. Any registered EU trade mark or Community registered design, as of the date of the UK’s departure from the EU, will be afforded an equivalent national UK right - essentially a clone of the original EU trade mark or Community registered design in the UK. There will be no official fee for the creation of these clones, and the process will be automatic. So, in summary, it is business as usual. Particularly while the UK remains a member of the European Union, or if a deal is agreed and a transition period commences. Dr Frazer Bye - Patent Attorney – HGF Ltd 8