UK Trademark Registration
Complete Country Practice Guide
Trademark Office and Governing Legislation
Trademark applications in the United Kingdom are administered by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO).
The principal legislation governing trademark registration is:
Trade Marks Act 1994: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/26/contents
Trade Marks Rules 2008: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1797/contents
UK IPO official website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
United Kingdom
Protect Your Trademark in United Kingdom
Have a mark you’d like to protect in United Kingdom? Write to us at global.ipr@blueinkk.com or fill out our Connect With Us form and our team will get in touch.
The UK operates a national trademark registration system. Applicants may apply directly to the UK IPO or seek UK protection through the Madrid System by designating the United Kingdom in an international trademark registration.
A UK trademark registration generally protects the mark in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man. Separate arrangements may apply in other territories, including Jersey and Guernsey.
Important for Madrid Protocol filings: From 1 August 2026, Jersey became a separate designation under WIPO's Madrid System. Designating the UK in a new international application no longer automatically extends protection to Jersey; Jersey must be designated separately
Types of Trademark Applications
The UK recognises several types of trademarks, including:
- Word marks
- Sound mark
- Logo and device marks
- Colour marks
- Combination of any of these
Preliminary Trademark Search
A trademark search should be conducted before filing to identify potentially conflicting applications and registrations.
The search should consider:
Identical marks.
Phonetically similar marks.
Similar spellings and visual appearances.
A search does not guarantee registration. The UK IPO may raise objections, and third parties may oppose an application.
Who Can Apply?
An individual, company, partnership, or other eligible legal entity may apply to register a trademark in the UK.
The applicant should ensure that:
The correct legal owner is identified.
The applicant's name and address are accurate.
The trademark is represented appropriately.
The goods and services are properly specified.
The application is filed in the name of the person or entity that owns, or intends to own, the trademark rights.
Classification of Goods and Services
The UK follows the Nice Classification system, comprising 45 classes:
Classes 1–34 cover goods.
Classes 35–45 cover services.
Applicants must identify the appropriate classes and specify the goods and services for which protection is sought.
The application fee depends on the number of classes included in the application. The goods and services specification should be drafted carefully because the scope of the resulting registration depends on the wording accepted by the UK IPO.
Documents and Information Required
The information normally required for a standard UK trademark application includes:
-
1
Applicant's full legal name.
-
2
Applicant's address and contact details.
-
3
Representation of the trademark.
-
4
Description of the goods and services.
-
5
Relevant Nice Classification classes.
-
6
Applicable government filing fee.
-
7
Additional information where required for a particular type of mark or application.
Attorney Requirement for UK Trademark Registration
A trademark applicant is not legally required to appoint a UK trademark attorney for a standard UK national trademark application at initial stage. However, the applicant must provide a valid address for service in an eligible jurisdiction (you must have an address for service in the UK, Gibraltar or the Channel Islands).
Not sure which documents apply to your case?
Reach out to us at global.ipr@blueinkk.com or fill out our Connect With Us form, and we’ll guide you through it.
Filing Procedure
A standard UK national trademark application generally follows these steps.
Step 1 — Conduct a trademark search.
Search the UK register for identical and potentially conflicting marks.
Step 2 — Identify the applicant.
Confirm the correct owner and legal details.
Step 3 — Finalise the mark.
Determine whether protection is required for a word mark, logo, or another type of sign.
Step 4 — Prepare the goods and services specification.
Select the appropriate Nice classes and draft the descriptions.
Step 5 — File the application online.
Submit the application through the UK IPO's official filing service.
Step 6 — Pay the government fee.
The fee depends on the filing method and number of classes.
Step 7 — Monitor the application.
Track examination reports, response deadlines, publication, opposition proceedings, and registration.
Government Filing Fees — 2026
The UK IPO's updated fee schedule took effect on 1 April 2026.
A. Standard application fees
Particulars | Official fee |
|---|---|
Online application — first class | £205 |
Each additional class — online | £60 |
B. Examples of online filing costs
Number of classes | Government fee |
|---|---|
1 class | £205 |
2 classes | £265 |
3 classes | £325 |
4 classes | £385 |
5 classes | £445 |
C. Right Start application
The UK IPO also offers a Right Start application route. A Right Start application is a special UK trademark filing option offered by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). It allows an applicant to receive an initial examination report before deciding whether to pay the full application fee and continue.
Particulars | Fee |
|---|---|
Initial fee — first class | £125 |
Initial fee — each additional class | £30 |
Further payment to proceed — first class | £125 |
Further payment to proceed — each additional class | £30 |
The applicant receives an examination report and can decide whether to proceed with the application. The relevant payment and response deadlines must be followed.
Examination of the Application
After filing, the UK IPO examines the application to determine whether the mark meets the requirements of UK trademark law.
Examination may consider:
Whether the mark is distinctive.
Whether it is descriptive of the goods or services.
Whether it consists exclusively of customary or non-distinctive signs.
Whether the mark falls within an absolute ground for refusal.
Whether the application meets formal requirements.
Whether earlier trademarks may create a conflict requiring notification or further consideration.
The UK IPO may issue an examination report identifying objections within 2 to 3 weeks and inviting the applicant to respond.
The applicant may submit legal arguments, provide clarification, amend permissible parts of the application, or take other appropriate procedural steps with in 2 months.
If the applicant cannot resolve the objections, the application may be refused in whole or in part.
Earlier Trademarks and Conflicting Rights
The UK IPO examines applications for registrability and may identify earlier trademarks that could conflict with the proposed mark.
The owner of an earlier trademark may be notified of a later application that the UK IPO considers relevant.
However, the existence of an earlier mark does not automatically mean that the later application will be refused. The earlier rights holder may decide whether to oppose the application, subject to the applicable law and circumstances.
Publication and Opposition
If the application meets the relevant requirements, the UK IPO publishes it in the Trade Marks Journal.
Third parties may oppose the application within the applicable opposition period.
The ordinary opposition period is generally two months from publication. A third party may file a notice of threatened opposition using Form TM7A, which can extend the period for opposing the application to three months from publication, subject to the applicable rules.
Opposition may be based on grounds including:
Earlier trademark rights.
Likelihood of confusion.
Earlier unregistered rights.
Other applicable statutory grounds.
The applicant may defend the application by filing the required counterstatement and complying with the evidence and procedural requirements.
Relevant forms
Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
TM7A | Notice of threatened opposition |
TM7 | Notice of opposition |
TM8 | Notice of defence and counterstatement |
Your Trademark Application Is Opposed
If a third party files an opposition against your trademark application, the UKIPO will notify you of the opposition.
While the opposition proceedings remain unresolved, registration of your trademark for the opposed classes or goods and services may be delayed or prevented.
The applicant may choose to:
Negotiate with the opposing party to reach an amicable settlement.
Withdraw the application.
Defend the application by responding to the opposition and participating in the legal proceedings. This may involve legal representation and associated costs.
Registration and Certificate
If the application completes examination and publication without a successful opposition preventing registration, the UK IPO proceeds with registration. Your trade mark will be registered around 10 weeks (2 months, plus 2 weeks) after it has been published
The applicant receives confirmation of registration and can access the relevant registration details through the UK IPO's services.
Registration gives the owner statutory rights in the UK in respect of the registered mark and the goods and services covered by the registration.
The owner may use the ® symbol for the registered trademark, subject to applicable law. It should not be used to imply registration where the mark is not registered.
Validity and Renewal
A UK trademark registration is valid for 10 years from the date of filing and may be renewed for successive periods of 10 years.
Renewal period
Early renewal: The application for renewal can be filed during the six months before the expiry date.
Late renewal: Renewal is permitted up to six months after expiry, subject to an additional late fee.
After six months: The registration may be eligible for restoration, subject to UKIPO requirements and an explanation for the failure to renew on time.
Renewal fees — 2026
Particulars | Official fee |
|---|---|
Online renewal — first class | £245 |
Each additional class | £60 |
Additional fees may apply to certain restoration or late-renewal procedures.
Non-Use and Revocation
A UK trademark registration may be vulnerable to revocation if the registered mark has not been put to genuine use in the UK for the relevant goods or services during the applicable statutory period, subject to the law's requirements and exceptions.
The principal non-use period is generally five years following completion of the registration procedure, subject to the applicable statutory provisions.
Revocation may be sought by an eligible party through the prescribed procedure. The owner may need to establish genuine use or provide a legally sufficient explanation where applicable.
Madrid Protocol — Designating the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a member of the Madrid Protocol.
An eligible trademark owner may seek UK protection through an international trademark application or a subsequent designation under the Madrid System.
The international registration is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), while the UK designation is examined under applicable UK law.
A UK designation may be subject to examination objections or opposition proceedings.
For a direct national application, the applicant files with the UK IPO. For an international registration designating the UK, the relevant international filing and administration are handled through WIPO.
Protect Your Trademark in United Kingdom
If you’re an Indian brand looking to protect your trademark in United Kingdom, get in touch with our team for a consultation and a clear filing roadmap tailored to your goods or services. Write to us at global.ipr@blueinkk.com , or fill out our Connect With Us form and we’ll reach out to you.