United Kingdom Trademark Registration
- United Kingdom Trademark Registration
- UK Trademark Renewals
- Responses to UKIPO Examination Reports
- Trademark Monitoring in the UK
- Trademark Availability Search
- Opposition/Cancellation request
Term of Protection for UK Trademarks
A UK trademark is valid for ten years from the date of registration and may be renewed indefinitely in successive ten-year periods. If the renewal fee is not paid by the due date (or within the grace period), the trademark will be removed from the register. Additionally, a trademark may be revoked if it has not been put to genuine use in the United Kingdom within a continuous period of five years following registration.
For a successful UK trademark application, it is necessary to provide a clear representation of the trademark (this may be a word, logo, sound, or motion mark). The applicant must also submit a list of goods and/or services for which protection is sought, classified under the Nice Classification system, which comprises 45 classes in total.
UK Trademark Application Cost Calculator
Costs of UK Trademark Registration
To obtain a filing date (priority), the official application fee must be paid at the time of filing. The basic fee for filing a UK trademark application online is £170 for one class, with an additional £50 for each extra class. The number of classes indicated directly affects the total cost. If your trademark contains figurative elements (such as logos or stylised text), it will also be classified under the Vienna Classification, which categorises image-based trademarks.
Trademark Search and Availability in the UK
Before filing a trademark application, it is strongly recommended to conduct a trademark availability search. This helps avoid potential opposition proceedings, invalidation actions, or claims of infringement from earlier right holders.
Bauer-IP can carry out comprehensive searches in the UK to assess whether your proposed mark is likely to conflict with earlier trademarks—both registered and pending. This is critical for minimizing legal risk and ensuring a smooth registration process.
Searches remain important after registration as well. Regular trademark monitoring enables you to detect new identical or similar applications, so you can take timely action (e.g. filing oppositions or requesting cancellations). Failing to monitor and enforce your rights may allow third parties to weaken your trademark through coexistence or challenge it by alleging non-enforcement.
Important Note:
The UK IPO does not check for earlier trademarks during the examination process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their trademark does not infringe prior rights. Likewise, if you own a registered UK trademark, you should actively watch and defend it.
UK Trademark Registration Procedure
Complying with the formal requirements ensures faster and smoother processing.
First, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) conducts a formality check to ensure all required information is provided—such as applicant details, a clear representation of the trademark, and a list of goods and/or services classified under the Nice Classification.
The application process only officially begins after the full payment of the filing fee.
Once the formal check is complete, the UK IPO examines the application for any absolute grounds for refusal. This includes refusals based on lack of distinctiveness or if the trademark is descriptive (e.g., the word “computer” for software). If such grounds apply, the examiner will raise an examination report detailing the objections.
If the application meets all legal requirements and is free from absolute grounds for refusal, the trademark is published in the UK Trade Marks Journal.
Opposition Period
Once published, there is a two-month period (extendable to three months with a cooling-off notice) during which third parties may file an opposition, typically based on earlier trademark rights. The UK IPO charges a £100 fee for filing an opposition.
Monitoring After Registration
Be aware: The UK IPO does not check for earlier conflicting rights during examination. It is the applicant’s responsibility to conduct searches and monitor for similar marks. If earlier rights exist, your trademark could be opposed or later invalidated. Monitoring the register helps defend your trademark and avoid surprises.
Duration and Renewal of UK Trademarks
A UK trademark is valid for ten years from the filing date. It can be renewed for successive ten-year periods by paying the applicable renewal fees. The renewal takes effect from the day after the previous protection period ends.
Keeping Your UK Trademark Registration Alive
Renewal fees may be paid up to six months before the expiry date. If not paid on time, there is a grace period of six months with an additional fee. If the fee is still not paid during this grace period, the trademark will be removed from the register and protection will lapse.