Against the historic backdrop of today’s vote on Scotland’s independence referendum, World Trademark Review examines the ramifications that Scottish independence could have for trademark and other intellectual property rights in that country. Because Scotland is currently part of the United Kingdom, it does not have its own intellectual property office; the entire United Kingdom is covered by the UK Intellectual Property Office. An independent Scotland will need to quickly adopt and implement a new system for IP protection, which would likely entail the establishment of its own IP office, and the ratification of certain international treaties concerning IP rights. Interesting times may lie ahead for current and future owners of trademark, copyright, and patent rights in the UK. Read the full article here.

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Reposted from World Trademark Review.