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Trademark application in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (UK) is one of Europe’s biggest economies and has a long tradition of protecting intellectual property.

Protection of brands is governed by the Trade Marks Act 1994 and the associated Trade Marks Rules 2008. The UK is a member of the Paris Convention, the Agreement on Trade‑Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the Madrid Protocol, and other international treaties.

Since the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021, European Union trade marks (EUTMs) no longer cover the UK, so businesses wanting protection in the UK need a separate UK application.

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) administers the trade mark system; it examines applications, publishes them, handles opposition, and issues registration certificates.

A trademark is a sign that distinguishes one trader’s goods or services from those of others. The UK’s official guidance explains that words, sounds, logos, colours, or combinations of these can be protected. However, certain signs cannot be registered: the mark must not be offensive; it cannot be a generic shape or describe the goods/services; it must not be misleading or too common, and must not imitate national flags or official emblems.

A registration gives the owner the right to take legal action against infringers, use the ® symbol, and sell or license the brand. A UK trademark lasts ten years and can be renewed indefinitely every ten years.

Official fees and services

Fee type	Cost*	Notes
Application (online) – Standard service	£170 for first class	Applies when paying online in full (includes £30 discount). Each extra class costs £50.
Renewal (per class)	£200 plus £50 per extra class	Must be paid every ten years.
Certified copy of registration	£20 per copy	Used for legal proceedings or foreign filings.

*Current fees (2025). The IPO announced a planned increase from April 2026: online application fees will rise to £205 and paper filings to £250.

How to file a trademark application online in the UK

An application may be filed online via the IPO’s electronic filing system or by post. Online filing is strongly recommended because it is cheaper, more convenient, and generates an immediate digital receipt. When completing the online form TM3, applicants must provide:

Applicant details and UK address for service – an address in the UK, Gibraltar, or the Channel Islands is mandatory; failure to provide a valid address may lead to the application being withdrawn. Foreign applicants can appoint a UK representative to fulfill this requirement.
Representation of the mark – upload a clear image or description of the mark. Words, logos, sounds, or colour combinations are acceptable; the mark cannot be offensive, descriptive, or generic.
Goods/services specification – list the goods or services for which the mark will be used. The UK uses the Nice Classification with 45 classes (1‑34 for goods and 35‑45 for services). Applicants may choose multiple classes, but must pay an additional fee for each extra class.
Priority claim (optional) – if you have filed for the same mark in another country within the last six months, you may claim priority. This gives your UK application the earlier filing date.
Payment – pay the relevant fee online.

After submission, the IPO sends an acknowledgement and begins formalities checking.

The commission of Pocket IP is 300 GBP per trademark.

The payments are accepted in USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and PLN (at a client’s request). Both bank payment and card payment are available.

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Advantages of trademark registration with Pocket IP

24/7 Availability: The Pocket IP trademark application system is accessible at any time, allowing users to file the trademarks and check the current statuses without being limited by office hours.

Free access to docketing service: Pocket IP offers not just an application system, but a docketing service to keep all the trademark data and documents in one place.

Cost-effectiveness: Using Pocket IP to reduce costs is a more cost-effective option to file applications.

Real-Time Status Updates: Applicants can track the status of their trademark applications in real time, receiving updates and any required activities or correspondence from the trademark office.

How to file a trademark application online in the UK

An application may be filed online via the IPO’s electronic filing system or by post. Online filing is strongly recommended because it is cheaper, more convenient, and generates an immediate digital receipt. When completing the online form TM3, applicants must provide:

Applicant details and UK address for service – an address in the UK, Gibraltar, or the Channel Islands is mandatory; failure to provide a valid address may lead to the application being withdrawn. Foreign applicants can appoint a UK representative to satisfy this requirement.
Representation of the mark – upload a clear image or description of the mark. Words, logos, sounds, or colour combinations are acceptable; the mark cannot be offensive, descriptive, or generic.
Goods/services specification – list the goods or services for which the mark will be used. The UK uses the Nice Classification with 45 classes (1‑34 for goods and 35‑45 for services). Applicants may choose multiple classes, but must pay an additional fee for each extra class.
Priority claim (optional) – if you have filed for the same mark in another country within the last six months, you may claim priority. This gives your UK application the earlier filing date.
Payment – pay the relevant fee online. The Standard service qualifies for the £30 discount if paid in full at the time of filing; the Right Start service requires only the initial payment.

After submission, the IP Office sends an acknowledgement and begins formalities checking.

The registration process and timeline

Filing and formal examination

New trademark application and Check of formal requirements

The UKIPO examines whether your application meets the formal requirements and whether the mark is registrable. In the report, the Office could identify any absolute grounds for refusal and any earlier marks or conflicting rights. Applicants have time to respond or amend their specification and may use form TM21B to limit the goods or services without fee.

Publication and opposition period

Chance to file opposition by other parties

If the Office considers the mark registrable, it publishes the application in the Trade Marks Journal. Interested parties then have two months to oppose the application. An opponent can file a TM7A notice of threatened opposition (free) to extend the period to three months. An opposition can be based on absolute grounds (e.g., mark is descriptive or offensive) by anyone or on relative grounds (e.g., conflict with an earlier mark) by owners of earlier rights. Filing a TM7 notice of opposition costs £100 for relative grounds only and £200 when other grounds are included.

Substantive examination and hearing (if necessary)

Office examine application and opposition if it was filed

During the opposition phase, the parties may enter a cooling‑off period to negotiate or request to add grounds or extend deadlines. If an opposition proceeds, each side files evidence and the IPO’s tribunal issues a decision; hearings may be held. Unopposed applications move directly to registration after the opposition period expires.

Registration and certificate

Issuing of registration certificate

If there is no successful opposition, the trade mark is registered. The IPO will enter the mark on the register and issue a digital registration certificate. Owners may request a certified copy (£20 per copy) or an uncertified electronic copy for free. The registration is valid for ten years and may be renewed indefinitely by paying the renewal fee.

Timeline

Under the standard procedure, unopposed trademark applications generally achieve registration in three to four months. The timeline may be longer if there are objections or if the applicant needs to respond to the examination report. Right Start applications follow the same timeline. While the IPO previously offered a fast‑track service, this is currently unavailable.

Opposition, revocation, and cancellation

Opposition: Any party may oppose a published application within two months on absolute grounds, and owners of earlier rights may oppose on relative grounds. Filing a notice of opposition (TM7) costs £100 or £200 depending on the grounds; filing a notice of threatened opposition (TM7A) is free and extends the opposition deadline by one month. Parties may request cooling‑off periods (TM9C or TM9E) to negotiate.

Revocation for non‑use: A registered trade mark can be revoked if it is not used in the UK for the goods/services registered within five years of registration or during any subsequent five‑year period. The registered owner must resume use to defend against revocation. There is no need to submit evidence of use when applying or renewing, but unused marks become vulnerable to revocation by third parties.

Other cancellation actions: Third parties may file applications for invalidation (TM26I) or revocation for non‑use (TM26N). Each application costs £200. Appeals may be filed using TM55 or TM55P; a notice of appeal to the appointed person costs £250.

Conclusion

The UK trade mark system offers robust protection for brands through clear procedural steps, relatively quick examination, and an accessible online filing process. Applicants should ensure that their mark is distinctive and non‑descriptive, select appropriate classes using the Nice Classification and budget for fees that depend on the number of classes. Once registered, a trade mark grants valuable enforcement rights but must be renewed every ten years and used in the UK to avoid revocation. In light of upcoming digital reforms and fee increases, businesses should stay informed and plan their trade mark filings accordingly.

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FAQ

What are the steps to register a trade mark in the UK?

1. Prepare and search: decide on the mark and search the register for existing conflicting marks.
2. File the application (TM3): include the representation of the mark, goods/services classification, applicant details, and a UK address for service.
3. Examination: the IPO issues an examination report in about 20 working days.
4. Publication: if accepted, the mark is published, and third parties have two months to oppose.
5. Registration: if there is no opposition or objections are resolved, the mark is registered and the certificate issued.

What can be protected as a trade mark in the UK?

A trade mark can consist of words, sounds, logos, colours, or any combination. UK guidance highlights that signs must not be offensive, misleading, descriptive, or too common. Marks should distinguish your goods or services from those of others and must not conflict with earlier rights.

Can I include several classes in one application in UK?

Yes. A single TM3 application can cover multiple classes, but each extra class requires an additional fee (£50 per class).

Can I change the goods/services or other details after trademark filing in UK?

Before registration, you can limit or remove goods or services without fee. To record a change of ownership or update your name/address after filing costs £50. Once registered, changes may be more limited, and you cannot add new goods/services.

How is the Nice Classification used in the UK?

The IPO uses the Nice Classification, which divides goods and services into 45 classes. Classes 1‑34 cover goods and 35‑45 cover services. Applicants can select one or more classes and must pay an additional fee for each extra class.

Do I need a local representative in the UK?

Foreign applicants must provide an address for service in the UK, Gibraltar, or the Channel Islands. If you do not have such an address, you should appoint a UK‑based representative. A valid address ensures you receive IPO correspondence; without it, your application may be treated as withdrawn.

Do I need to prove use when applying or renewing trademark in the UK?

No evidence of use is required to file or renew a trade mark. However, if the mark is not used in the UK on the registered goods or services within five years of registration or for any continuous five‑year period, it may be revoked. Keep records of use to defend against non‑use challenges.

Is a UK trademark valid in Europe?

No, a UK trademark is not automatically valid in Europe after Brexit. A separate application must be submitted to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in order to protect a trademark in the EU.

Will I receive a paper certificate for UK trademark?

The IPO issues a digital registration certificate once the trade mark is registered. If you require a paper or certified copy (for example, for legal proceedings or overseas filings), you can request one for £20. Uncertified copies can be obtained free of charge.

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