What are the costs associated with registering a trademark?
Registering a trademark involves paying a fee to the UK Intellectual Property Office; the current cost is £170 for an online application or £200 for a post application.
The application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is not successful, preparing your application carefully and checking that your trademark meets the legal requirements can help avoid wasted costs.
Application fees for trademark registration with UKIPO
The initial fee covers the examination of your application for one class of goods or services.
UKIPO will check if your trademark meets the legal requirements, including whether it is distinctive and if there are any conflicts with existing trademarks.
This fee only covers the application. If objections are raised or someone opposes your application, you may face extra legal costs, especially if you need professional advice or representation.
Additional fees for registering a trademark in multiple classes
The fee of £170 or £200 covers only the first class in your application; trademarks are registered in classes that reflect the goods or services your business offers.
If your business covers more than one area, you may need to register your trademark in several classes, be aware that each extra class costs £50.
Choosing the right classes is important, registering too narrowly can leave parts of your business unprotected.
Yet, registering too broadly can increase costs or cause problems with your application.
Costs for international trademark registration
In order to protect your trademark outside the UK, you're able to apply for international registration through UKIPO using the Madrid System.
When doing this, there is an extra UKIPO fee of £40, plus separate fees to the World Intellectual Property Organization; the total cost depends on the countries and classes you choose.
International registration can be a cost-effective way to protect your brand in several countries, but the process isn’t necessarily straightforward. It is important to think about where you need protection and how this fits with your business plans.
“Are there fees for trademark searches and application tracking?”
You can search for existing trademarks on the UKIPO register free of charge, this helps you check if your trademark is already in use and find the right classes before you apply.
You can also monitor the progress of your application free of charge through the UKIPO system.
Although these searches are free, many businesses choose to get professional help. A detailed legal search can spot risks that are not always obvious and reduce the chance of objections or refusal.
Costs for removing classes, goods, or services from a trademark
If your trademark application has not yet been registered and you need to amend it by removing goods, services, or a class, this can be done using a TM21B form without incurring a fee.
If your trademark has already been registered, changes can still be made by submitting a TM26R form to rectify the register. This also does not attract a fee.
These changes are free, but it is important to check that any amendments do not reduce your protection in a way that could affect your business later on.
Fees for updating trademark ownership or personal details
If your personal or business details change, such as your name, address, or email, these updates can be made without charge.
If you transfer ownership of the trademark or assign some goods or services, there is a £50 fee.
This keeps the register up to date and shows who owns the rights.
It is important to keep ownership details up to date, especially if your trademark is part of a sale, merger or licensing agreement.
Pursuing the cost of trademark registration with legal guidance
The initial UKIPO fee is only part of the cost; the total cost of registering and maintaining a trademark depends on your business needs.
Think about the number of classes, whether you need international protection, and if you will need legal advice.
Planning ahead and partnering with a solicitor that is exceptionally versed in IP can help you avoid extra costs and make sure your trademark protects your brand effectively.
