TRADEMARK APPLICATION FILING IN
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom stands among the global frontrunners in safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). At the core of this framework, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) is the authority responsible for administering and regulating all aspects of intellectual property. Renowned for its strong enforcement and effective protection mechanisms, the UKIPO actively fosters an environment that encourages innovation, fuels creativity, and promotes the exchange of ideas for societal progress.

For both individuals and businesses, the UKIPO provides dependable trademark protection under a “first-to-file” system, where priority is given to the earliest applicant. All filings are governed by the Trademarks Act, 1994, ensuring consistency, reliability, and legal certainty in brand protection.

The trademark registration before the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property office (UKIPO) can either be filed through the online portal or via offline mode. 

Multiple-class trademark applications are allowed by the United Kingdom’s Intellectual Property Office

The requirements for filing a trademark application are as follows:

• Name, nationality, and address of the applicant;
• Mark representation (logo/device/word, etc.);
• Descriptions of goods and/or services;
• Certified priority document*;

*If priority is being claimed, a Certified Priority Document must be submitted within six months of the filing.

The process of registering a trademark in the United Kingdom begins with the submission of the application. Once the TM application is filed, the application is transferred to the examiner to review. If any issues or discrepancies are identified during the evaluation, the UKIPO will notify the applicant and provide two months to reply to the issued office action/examination report. If no issues are found, or once corrections are made, the application moves forward, and the trademark is then published in the United Kingdom’s Trademark Journal, initiating a two-month opposition period. During this time, third parties have the opportunity to raise objection/opposition to the application.

If no opposition is filed within said timeline, or if opposition is resolved in favour of the applicant, the trademark is officially registered, and a registration certificate is issued.

The opposition proceedings begins when an opponent files a notice of opposition. The applicant will receive the notice, and the UKIPO will assess the admissibility. During this time, the applicant has the option to engage with the opponent to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement. If a resolution cannot be reached, the applicant is required to submit the counter-reply within two months. Thereafter, a timetable will be prepared for submission of evidence. Hearing will be conducted on the either party’s request within the fourteen days and the arguments will be submitted within 28 days. The UKIPO will then make a decision on whether to accept or reject the application.

A trademark registration in United Kingdom is valid for a period of ten years. The trademark must be renewed before the end of six months of the current term to maintain protection for an additional ten years.

However, if the renewal is not submitted on time, it can still be processed within six months after the expiration date with surcharge.

A registered trademark must be actively used within five years of its registration. If the trademark is not used continuously during this period, it may be subject to cancellation following a request from a third party.

Typically, the trademark registration process in the United Kingdom takes four-six months in straightforward cases.

The United Kingdom has witnessed steady growth in trademark activity year after year. According to WIPO’s statistics data 2023 highlight this upward trend with approximately 2,547,411 active trademarks recorded across the UK. Residential trademark filings alone registered an impressive 3.6% increase, underscoring the growing awareness of brand protection among local businesses and entrepreneurs.

On the global stage, the UK holds the 8th position in trademark filings, covering its significance in the intellectual property landscape. Further, the Global Innovation Index 2024 ranks the United Kingdom 5th out of 133 countries, a testament to its strong commitment to innovation, creativity, and strong intellectual property systems.