A European Union trademark has not covered the United Kingdom since 1 January 2021. The UKIPO does not refuse over earlier trademarks; it notifies their owners, who can oppose. This guide shows the steps, the government fees, and the timeline.
Our team searches the United Kingdom register for earlier trademarks and sets your classes, goods, and services. The list cannot be widened after filing.
2
Our Team Files Directly
Our team files directly with the UKIPO and provides the address for service the office requires. The government fee is GBP 205 for one class and GBP 60 for each further class.
3
Examination and Publication
The UKIPO sends its examination report within 2 to 3 weeks, and you have 2 months to resolve any objection. An accepted application is published in the Trade Marks Journal for 2 months.
4
Registered for 10 Years
With no opposition, the UKIPO registers the trademark about 2 weeks after the 2 months end and issues a certificate. The registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed every 10 years.
What is different here
Six Facts About Filing in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom Files Separately
Since 1 January 2021, a European Union trademark no longer protects the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom needs its own application.
Earlier Trademarks Do Not Block Examination
The UKIPO searches for earlier trademarks and tells you and their owners what it finds. It does not refuse on that ground; the earlier owner decides whether to oppose.
An Address for Service Is Required
Every application needs an address for service in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar, or the Channel Islands. Our team provides it with your filing.
Five Years to Start Using It
You can file on a good-faith intention to use the trademark. After registration, five years without genuine use in the United Kingdom opens it to a revocation request.
Protection Dates Back to Filing
Once registered, your trademark is registered as of the filing date. The 10-year term runs from that date too.
The Isle of Man Is Covered
A United Kingdom registration protects your brand in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man. Jersey and Guernsey have their own processes.
Timeline
What Happens, and When
The usual path, with no objection and no opposition.
Day 1
Filed
Our team files directly with the UKIPO, and the application appears online as soon as it is filed.
Weeks 2 to 3
Examination
The UKIPO sends its examination report, and you have 2 months to resolve any objection.
Next 2 months
Publication
The application is published in the Trade Marks Journal, and anyone who files Form TM7A in time gets a third month to oppose.
3 to 4 months
Registered
With no objection or opposition, the UKIPO registers the trademark and sends the certificate.
Every 10 years
Renewal
Renew in the 6 months before expiry, or up to 6 months after with a GBP 60 late renewal fee.
What it costs
Government Fees at the UKIPO
Step
Government fee
Note
Application, one class (online)
GBP 205
Form TM3. A paper application is GBP 250.
Each further class
GBP 60
Renewal, one class
GBP 245
Form TM11. GBP 60 for each further class.
Opposition
GBP 125 or GBP 250
Form TM7, paid by the opponent. GBP 125 on section 5(1) or 5(2) grounds only; GBP 250 with any other ground.
Defense to an opposition
No fee
Form TM8, due 2 months after the opposition is served.
Anyone can oppose on absolute grounds, for example that the trademark describes the goods. Only the owner of an earlier trademark or earlier right can oppose on relative grounds. If that earlier trademark had been registered for five years or more when you filed, you can ask the opponent to prove genuine use.
From the filing date. Once the UKIPO registers the trademark, the registration is dated to the day the application was filed, and your rights have effect from that day. Infringement proceedings can begin only once the trademark is in fact registered.
You can still renew in the six months after expiry by paying the renewal fee plus a late renewal fee of GBP 60. After that, the UKIPO removes the trademark from the register. For a further six months you can ask to restore it on Form TM13, which costs GBP 125 on top of the renewal fee. The UKIPO restores it if it is satisfied that the failure to renew was unintentional.
Yes, in part. An unregistered trademark cannot be enforced under the Trade Marks Act 1994 itself, but the law of passing off still protects a sign used in trade. The owner of that earlier right can oppose a later application on that ground. Such an opposition carries the GBP 250 fee.
Not sure which classes you need? Try Class Assist.
Ready to file
Ready to File in the United Kingdom?
When your name is ready, our team files your United Kingdom application directly with the UKIPO and keeps watch through examination and the opposition period.
