Trade marks and registration
Trade marks might be, for example, a brand name, logo, shape, or slogan. They’re a type of intellectual property (ie intangible assets that arise out of creativity or innovation).
Trade marks arise automatically when they start being used in connection with a business. However, a trade mark’s owner has much stronger rights to prevent others from using the trade mark if they register the trade mark.
For more information, read Trade marks and passing off and How to register a trade mark.
How much does it cost to register a trade mark in the UK?
In the UK, you can register your trade mark with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO). The costs for this vary depending on how you are registering your mark.
Applications made online
If you are registering your trade mark using a standard online application, the IPO fees will be £170. This covers registration in one trade mark class. If you choose to register your trade mark in any additional classes, each additional class will cost £50.
For example, if you are registering your trade mark online in two classes, this will cost £220: £170 for the application in the first trade mark class and £50 for the second).
You can use Rocket Lawyer’s Trade mark registration service to register your trade marks for you. If you’re a Rocket Legal+ member, we’ll register your first for free – you’ll only need to pay the IPO fees.
Paper applications
If you register your trade mark using a paper form and send this by post, this costs £200 for a standard application including one class. As with online applications, each additional trade mark class costs £50.
Right Start applications
If you want to ensure your trade mark application meets the requirements for registration, you can use the IPO’s Right Start service. This service allows your mark to be examined and reviewed by an examiner for £100 plus £25 for each additional class you’re seeking to register in. You will then receive a feedback report conveying whether your application has met the application rules or not.
If, based on your report, you decide to continue your application or you want to challenge the report’s decision or discuss its details, you’ll need to pay another £100 plus another £25 for each additional class you’re seeking to register in. If you decide to take no further action regarding your registration, you don’t need to pay any more fees and have avoided paying the full amount you’d have paid to make a regular application.
Overall, using the Right Start service costs at least £200 in total, and £50 for each additional class.
For more information on the UK trade mark registration process, read How to register a trade mark.
Renewing or restoring UK trade marks
How much does it cost to renew a trade mark?
UK trade mark registration generally lasts for 10 years. You can renew a trade mark during the 6 months before it expires or within the 6 months following expiration.
You can apply to renew online or by post, and you’ll need to pay the applicable fees. Renewing your trade mark costs £200 for renewal of a trade mark within one class. Renewing within any additional classes costs £50 per class. When renewing your mark, you can choose to reduce the number of classes your trade mark is registered in.
If you are applying to renew your trade mark within the 6 months after its expiration, you also need to pay a late renewal fee of £50.
How much does it cost to restore a trade mark?
If your trade mark expired more than 6 months but less than 1 year ago, you can request to have your mark restored to the register. This involves providing a statement explaining why you didn’t renew your trade mark on time and paying a restoration fee of £100, in addition to the regular renewal fees.
If the IPO is satisfied with your statement, your trade mark will be renewed. If they are not, it will not be renewed and your £100 restoration fee will not be refunded.
How much do international trade marks cost?
Trade marks can be registered in multiple jurisdictions (eg countries). Sometimes, a single registration can cover multiple countries. The costs for registering international trade marks depend on where you want to protect your mark.
EU trade marks (EUTMs)
You can protect your trade mark in multiple European Union (EU) member states by applying for an EUTM through the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Applying for an EUTM online costs €850 for the first class of goods or services you register your trade mark in. If you apply using a paper form, the fee is €1,000. Additional trade mark classes cost:
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€50 for a second class
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€150 for each the third and any subsequent classes
You can use the EUIPO’s fee calculator to determine the cost of your EUTM application. All EUIPO fees must be paid in Euros (EUR).
Note that EU trade mark application fees are different if you are applying for a collective mark (ie a trade mark for members of a trade association, rather than just one trader).
For more information on applying for an EUTM, read Registering a trade mark in the EU.
Registering trade marks internationally
You can register your trade mark internationally under the Madrid System (or ‘Madrid Protocol’). This is the system under which a trade mark can be protected in multiple countries using a single registration. It’s controlled by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
The cost of an international trade mark will depend on the number of countries you want to register your trade mark in and the countries in question. You can use the WIPO’s fee calculator to work out how much registration costs. The fees must be paid in Swiss francs (CHF) to the WIPO in Geneva.
You will also need to pay a UK handling fee of £40 for the application to be processed in the UK.
For more information on applying for a trade mark under the Madrid Protocol, read International trade marks.
See the UK government’s website for a full list of all trade mark-related fees and for comprehensive guidance on protecting your intellectual property abroad. Ask a lawyer if you have any questions about registering trade marks.
