Author IJA Public Domain Source Wikimedia Commons British EmbassyAbu Dhabi |
The UK Intellectual Property Office has published a Linkedin newsletter called IPO Overseas, It is about the UK's network of overseas IP attachés, trade experts and UK-based policy teams. The latest issue, which was published on 26 July 2024, is entitled "IPO's Middle East and North Africa ('MENA') International Team., Although the subtitle is "How our IP Attaché network can help you do business with the Middle East and North Africa" the publication features an interview with Ben Llewellyn-Jones, IPO’s Director of Business and International Policy and not with an attaché.
The British government used to have an attaché to the Gulf Cooperation Council ("GCC"), On 27 Oct 2021 I wrote that HM government signalled the importance of the GCC as a trading and investment partner by appointing Yamish Yakoob as its first Intellectual Property Attaché to the bloc in UK's New Intellectual Property Attache to the GCC. I based my article on the IPO's Case Study IP Attaché: Yamish Yakoob, Gulf Cooperation Council of 7 Oct 2021 which was apparently withdrawn on 27 March 2024. No explanation has been given for the withdrawal. Mr Yakoob is still at the British embassy in Riyadh but his new job title is "Retail, Food & Drink @ British Embassy." His LinkedIn page indicates that he started that job in April 2024.
In his interview, Mr Llewellyn-Jones said that the GCC is this country's 4th largest non-EU trading partner after the USA, China and Switzerland and that British trade with that region is worth around £59 billion. He indicated that the government is negotiating a free trade agreement with the GCC. He mentioned that UK businesses can face a number of challenges when registering and protecting their IP in the Middle East. These can range from the need to take effective action against trade mark infringement to high registration fees.
Mr Llewellyn Jones encouraged British businesses to use the IPO's international team: The team knows that local IP systems can be difficult for some to navigate even if a business has registered its IP in the UK with the IPO. He said:
“This is where our international team can help with their local knowledge”, said Ben. “We can help to guide businesses through these IP systems, guide you through what to expect and support you as you build your business overseas”
His top tips were:
- "If you're looking to trade in MENA and the GCC, include IP as part of your market research or export plan
- Do your due diligence and check, for example, if someone already registered a trade mark that is the same as yours. If you're not sure, we'll have a complex portfolio of IP rights and legal experts who will be able to help you.
- Finally, if your IP is an important part of your business value, register your rights as soon as you can!"
This is an area in which my chambers have some expertise. Colleagues who practise other areas of law already appear before those courts. Last year, Stephen Somerville, our first deputy senior clerk visited Dubai and he has been sufficiently encouraged by that visit to make a second trip later this year. Anyone interested in using our expertise and connections should contact me on +44 (0)20 7404 5252 during UK office hours or send me a message at other times through my contact page.