Summary
- Trade mark application costs in the UK vary depending on the application type and number of classes, with a Standard Application costing £205 for one class plus £60 per additional class, and a Right Start Application costing £125 initially with a further £125 payable if you choose to proceed after receiving the IPO’s preliminary assessment.
- A Series Application allows up to six versions of a trade mark that look, mean and sound the same to be registered together, with the first two versions included in the base cost and an additional £60 per extra mark, making it a cost-effective option for brands using multiple stylistic variations.
- Once registered, a trade mark lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for £245 per class plus £60 per additional class, and missing the renewal deadline results in removal from the register, leaving your brand unprotected.
- This article is a plain-English guide to trade mark application costs and the registration process for businesses in the United Kingdom, written by LegalVision’s business lawyers.
- LegalVision specialises in advising clients on trade mark registration, intellectual property protection and brand management in the UK.
Tips for Businesses
If you are unsure whether your application will be accepted, use a Right Start Application to test your position before committing to the full fee. Factor renewal costs into your long-term budget, particularly if you hold multi-class protection. Ask your trade mark lawyer to manage renewal deadlines to avoid losing registered protection.
If you are a business in the UK considering trade mark registration for your brand, you will likely be interested in learning the costs of applying. While the application process is relatively straightforward, mistakes can lead to unnecessary delays, additional fees and even a failed application. Taking the time to prepare your application properly, and seeking legal advice where needed, can help you avoid these costs. This article explains the costs of registering a trade mark in the UK and outlines practical ways to avoid unnecessary expense.
How Much Does it Cost to Register a Trade Mark in the UK?
Registering a trade mark in the UK costs £205 in Intellectual Property Office (IPO) fees for one class of goods or services, plus £60 for each additional class. That means the official fee is £265 for two classes and £325 for three classes.
But the IPO fee is only part of the cost of registering and protecting your trade mark.
Before you apply, you need to determine whether your trade mark is available and likely to be accepted, identify the goods and services you want to protect and select the right classes. The IPO will examine your application, but it will not advise you on whether your trade mark is registrable, conflicts with an existing trade mark or gives your business the right scope of protection.
Getting these decisions wrong can be costly. In particular:
- IPO application fees are non-refundable if your application is unsuccessful.
- Choosing the wrong classes can leave gaps in your protection or mean paying for unnecessary coverage.
- You cannot simply add goods or services later if your original application is too narrow.
- Existing trade marks can create objections or disputes, adding time and cost to the process.
- A rejected or unsuitable application may mean starting again, including paying another application fee.
You can register a trade mark yourself without using a solicitor. For a distinctive brand in one straightforward class, this may be relatively simple. But if your brand is commercially important, you operate across several categories or there are similar trade marks already in the market, getting advice upfront can reduce the risk of paying twice or securing protection that does not adequately cover your business.
LegalVision’s experienced trade mark lawyers can help you understand your options before you spend money on an application. We can help you:
- assess whether your proposed trade mark is suitable for registration;
- conduct searches to identify potentially conflicting trade marks;
- determine the right classes and scope of protection for your business;
- prepare and file your application with the IPO; and
- respond to issues that arise during the registration process.
You’ll understand what work is required, what it will cost and the likely path to registration before proceeding, giving you greater certainty over both your legal protection and your budget.
What is Involved in an Application?
A trade mark application has many different steps involved. The first step is to apply to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), which will determine whether your trade mark meets the eligibility criteria for registration.
There is a standardised timeline that proceeds as follows:
- designing/choosing your trade mark;
- deciding which trade mark classes are appropriate;
- researching any existing trade marks that may be similar to yours (this is often referred to as a trade mark search);
- completing the application;
- paying the relevant fee for a Standard, Right Start or Series Application;
- examination by the IPO;
- publication of your application in the trade marks journal for opposition purposes (two months); and
- registration.
The associated expense of a trade mark application differs depending on the number of classes covered and which type of application you submit. Likewise, you may pay considerably more in legal fees if you have to address any objections. Trade mark applications can therefore vary in complexity, and consequently, so can the costs.
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Standard vs Right Start Applications
You can choose whether you want to lodge a Standard Application or a Right Start Application. A Standard Application costs £205 to register your trade mark within one class and then an additional fee of £60 for any extra classes.
A Right Start Application however costs £125 for one class and £30 for any additional classes. You will receive a report with a Right Start application explaining whether your application meets the rules. You get 28 days to make a decision on whether you wish to continue with the application process. If you decide to progress, you must pay an additional £125 and £30 for every additional class you have chosen.
Series Applications
A Series Application covers up to six separate trade marks that look, mean and sound the same, depending on the type of mark. The maximum number of versions you can include in a single Series Application is six, and the total cost for your application will depend on the number of versions. If you choose to make a Series Application, the first two versions of your trade mark are included within the initial cost, with an additional £60 fee for any additional marks.
An example of where a Series Application may be appropriate is for a trade name written in more than one way. For instance. DELTA, Delta, and delta. While the capitalisation differs, the threewords look, mean and sound the same. Therefore, a Series Application is appropriate.
Other illustrative examples include:
|
CAT and cat |
These two marks form a series because the use of capital letters does not impact the meaning or sound of the word. |
|
AboutTime and About Time |
These are a series because both marks possess the same meaning regardless of if they are joined or apart. |
|
Craze.com and Craze.co.uk |
These are a series as despite the fact they do not look the same, both .com and .co.uk are recognisable domain names. If, however, you were seeking to use lesser-known domains like .edu or .music in a series application, you would not likely meet the relevant requirements. |
Legal Advice
The expense of instructing a lawyer to advise you on your trade mark application is often the most substantial upfront cost. However, they can preempt any mistakes or unexpected errors, thereby saving you considerable costs in the long run. Therefore, you may actually save money by hiring a professional.
Renewing Your Trade Mark
Once your trade mark is successfully registered, it will remain valid for 10 years. After this period, you must renew your trade mark to maintain your exclusive rights. Failure to renew will result in your trade mark being removed from the register, leaving your brand vulnerable to use by third parties.
You can renew your trade mark up to six months before the renewal date or within six months after it – known as the “late renewal” period. Renewing late, however, attracts an additional surcharge on top of the standard renewal fee.
The IPO charges £245 to renew a trade mark in one class, with an additional £60 per extra class. Renewal costs scale in the same way as initial registration costs. Businesses with broad, multi-class protection should factor this into their long-term budgets.
The IPO will send a reminder before your renewal date. However, you remain responsible for renewing your trade mark on time. Many businesses ask their trade mark lawyer to manage renewals. This helps prevent missed deadlines and keeps protection uninterrupted.
LegalVision’s Trade Mark Essentials Guide provides valuable information for any business looking to register or enforce a trade mark.
Key Takeaways
Costs attached to trade mark applications can vary widely depending on the type of application, the number of classes you wish to register your mark in, and any legal fees incurred from professional advice or representation. A standard trade mark application for registration in one class costs £205, with additional classes costing £60 per class. Once registered, your trade mark will last for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for £245 +£60 per additional class, making it a cost-effective form of long-term brand protection. Overall, it is not a hugely expensive type of intellectual property protection and is a worthwhile investment for your business.
If you need help registering a trade mark for your business, LegalVision provides ongoing legal support for all businesses through our fixed-fee legal membership. Our experienced intellectual property lawyers help businesses manage contracts, employment law, disputes, intellectual property, and more, with unlimited access to specialist lawyers for a fixed monthly fee. To learn more about LegalVision’s legal membership, call 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Right Start application?
A Right Start application is one where you pay a reduced fee at the start of the process and obtain a report stating whether your application has met the criteria. You can then use this information to decide whether to proceed.
How long does trade mark registration last?
In the United Kingdom, your trade mark will be registered for 10 years before it must be renewed. You can renew your trade mark in the 6 months leading up to renewal and within the 6 months afterwards.
What is a Series Application and when is it appropriate?
A Series Application covers up to six versions of a trade mark that look, mean, and sound the same. It is appropriate where you want to protect a mark in multiple formats, such as different capitalisations or domain name variations. The first two versions are included in the initial cost, with an additional £60 per extra mark.
What happens if I do not renew my trade mark on time?
If you fail to renew, the IPO will remove your trade mark from the register. This can leave your brand unprotected and vulnerable to third-party use. You remain responsible for renewal even if you do not receive a reminder from the IPO.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the UK?
Registering a trade mark in the UK costs £205 in Intellectual Property Office fees for one class of goods or services, plus £60 for each additional class. Applying by post costs £250 instead of £205. Most businesses also pay professional fees for a clearance search and for getting the class specification right, which is where the real risk to your budget sits.
What is included in the £205 trademark application fee?
The fee covers the IPO examining your application, publishing it in the Trade Marks Journal, and registering your mark for 10 years if nobody successfully opposes it. It does not include a search to check your mark is available, any legal advice, responding to an objection, defending an opposition, or renewal after 10 years. The fee is also non-refundable, so a refused application means paying again to re-file.
Do I need a solicitor to register a trademark in the UK?
It is recommended you engage a lawyer to advise you on whether your mark is registrable or whether your classes are right, and a refused or too-narrow application costs you the fee and the time. A distinctive, invented brand name in one obvious class is often a straightforward self-filing; a descriptive name, a crowded market or several classes is where advice usually pays for itself.
What hidden costs should I budget for when registering a trademark?
The costs applicants most often miss are a clearance search before filing, responding to an IPO objection, defending an opposition (£125 where the grounds are only earlier rights, or £250 on other grounds), renewal at £245 plus £60 per additional class every 10 years, and enforcement if someone later copies your brand. Each additional class also adds £60 to the application, which adds up quickly as a business expands its range.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in more than one class?
One class costs £205, two classes cost £265, and three classes cost £325 in IPO fees, because each class after the first adds £60. Choosing classes accurately matters more than keeping the count low — you cannot add goods or services to an application later, so covering a class you genuinely trade in is cheaper than filing a second application.
How much does it cost to renew a UK trademark?
Renewing a UK trade mark costs £245 for the first class plus £60 for each additional class, and lasts another 10 years. You can renew from six months before expiry. If you miss the deadline there is a six-month grace period, but late renewal adds a £60 surcharge, and after that the registration can be removed from the register altogether.
Why did UK trademark fees go up in 2026?
The IPO increased its trade mark fees on 1 April 2026 — the first trade mark fee increase since 1998 — raising the standard online application from £170 to £205 and each additional class from £50 to £60. Renewal rose from £200 to £245. Any cost guidance published before April 2026 will understate what you now pay, so check the date on anything you are budgeting from.
How long does it take to register a trademark in the UK?
A straightforward UK trade mark application usually takes around three to four months from filing to registration, which includes a two-month period after publication when others can oppose it. An objection or opposition can extend this considerably. Expedited examination is available for £370 if you need the IPO to examine your application faster, though it does not shorten the opposition window.
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