UK Intellectual Property Office limits address for service rules to United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Channel Islands
Getting an address for service (AfS) right is crucial as it is the address that the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) will use for correspondence in relation to IP rights and IP-related contentious proceedings. It can be the rights holder’s address or, more commonly, the address of the rights holder’s legal representative.
At present, an AfS before the UKIPO may be in the United Kingdom (including the Isle of Man), the Channel Islands or the European Economic Area (EEA).
Earlier this year, the UK government held a call for views and consultation in relation to proposed amendments to the AfS rules after the end of the Brexit transition period. An overwhelming 92% of respondents were in favour of changing the rules to exclude AfSs in the EEA, a key factor being the reciprocal rule changes being made by the EUIPO.