Introduction to UK Trademark Registration

A trademark is a sign that can graphically represent itself and differentiate the products and/or services of one trader from those of another.

Some of the most common trademarks are word marks, logos, 3D marks, sound marks, or motion marks.

In general, registering a word trademark in block capitals will cover any acceptable graphical presentation of that word, providing optimum protection to the word. 

A UK trademark registration gives its owner the absolute right to use the registered trademark in connection with the goods and/or services covered by the registration. 

In the UK, there are 45 different classes of goods and services in which a trademark may be registered. As the UK Intellectual Property Office charges official fees per class, protecting a large number of classes would result in higher costs (UKIPO).

If a trademark is registered for several different goods and services but is never used for any of them, the registration may be subject to cancellation on non-grounds, at least with regard to those goods or services for which there has been a failure to use the trademark.

Also read: Who can open a UK LTD company?

In the UK, the process of registering a trademark is relatively quick; if neither an official objection from the UKIPO nor opposition from third parties is encountered, a registration may be obtained in 4 to 5 months. Such barriers would make it more difficult or even impossible for the application to proceed to registration, which would increase costs.

Trademark availability searches are advised before submitting any new UK trademark applications and, most certainly, before putting the proposed trademark into use in order to identify any registered trademark infringement risks as well as potential barriers to trademark registration.

The UKIPO reviews applications for UK trademarks to determine whether the subject trademark is sufficiently distinctive to be monopolised by a single trader or whether an official objection may be raised if the trademark is extremely descriptive of the goods and/or services specified.

Third party oppositions must be filed within two months, but this period may be extended once at the request of the third party for an additional month.

In the absence of any opposition, a registration would generally become successful within one month of the close of the opposition period.

Also read: Requirements of a limited company UK

1. Any business organisation, individual, or legal entity in the UK is eligible to own a UK trademark.
2. To help you in securing your brand through trademark registration in the UK, RTRSupports Limited provides this service.
3. You will get the Certificate of Trademark Registration by mail to your UK address from Intellectual Property Office (IPO). The registration certificate contains the registration information and dates.
4. Once your UK trademark has been registered, you can start using the ® symbol to show that your trademark is now officially registered.
5. If someone uses your brand without your permission, such as a counterfeiter, you must take legal action against them.
6. You will get 10 years of brand protection. Renewal of trademarks is required every 10 years. You can renew a trademark 6 months prior to the expiry date and up to 6 months after it expired. You cannot restore the trademark online once 6 months after its expiry date has expired.

Registering a UK trademark is a lengthy and complicated process if you try to do it on your own. But if you do it through a UK agent, it would give you fast and smooth service. It will take only 1 month to get the approval if you register it through RTRSupports Limited, a UK agent.

To register a UK trademark through RTRSupports Limited, you will need to submit the followings:

1. Name and address of the applicant 
2. Brand name
3. Brand logo
4. A list of the goods or services in relation to which your UK trademark will be registered.