If you’ve just filed a trademark in the United States, you may wonder how to extend your trademark rights to other countries. A registered trademark in the United Kingdom confers trademark rights and protections in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Whether your online retail business has consumers in Glasgow or you want to construct a physical store in London, you should consider registering a trademark in the United Kingdom. Consider the following information regarding the expenses of registering a trademark in the United Kingdom as you design your worldwide trademark strategy.
Overview of the Filing Process
You have a few possibilities when preparing to submit your trademark in the United Kingdom. The Madrid Protocol is a popular alternative, especially if you want to register in many countries. This treaty allows a trademark owner to register a trademark in any of the treaty’s 90 member nations via a single application. While the Madrid Protocol simplifies the application procedure, it does not ensure that your registration will be accepted in the countries where you have applied. The Madrid Protocol requires a single application price. However, you must consider the registration expenses of each nation where your trademark is authorised.
The Madrid Protocol’s application addresses the fundamentals of each member country’s filing requests. As a result, it is usual for each trademark office to contact you with requests for additional papers or information. The European Union provides a similar procedure for its Community Trademark (CTM), which awards trademark rights to the E.U.’s 29 member countries. Unfortunately, with Brexit impending, it is suggested that trademark owners seeking to register in the United Kingdom submit directly with the IPO.
You can also file directly with the Intellectual Property Office or IPO, the United Kingdom’s trademark office. This will enable you to submit a trademark application tailored to the demands and desires of the United Kingdom. Because most of the requirements are stated in the particular application, filing directly with a country’s trademark office often speeds up the registration process and boosts your chances of acceptance. If your foreign trademark ambitions currently include the United Kingdom, filing straight with the IPO is advisable.
General Registration Fees in the U.K.
There are several expenses involved in registering and maintaining an international trademark.
Common Government Fees in the United Kingdom for Trademark Filing and Maintenance
- Application Fee: £170 ($225.83) for online applications; £200 ($265.68) for paper applications.
- Additional Classes (When requested by IPO): £50 ($66.42).
- International Fee: £40 ($53.14) plus additional WIPO fees.
- Renewal Fees: £200 ($265.68).
- Notice of Opposition: £100-£200 ($132.84-$265.68) depending on the grounds for opposition
Many activities, such as combining or splitting trademark registrations, are free. Consult the IPO website for a complete list of charges.
Attorney Fees for Filing a Trademark in the United Kingdom
As mentioned above, the Cost does not include legal (attorney) fees for filing a U.K. application, following its progress, and responding to basic examination requests/questions, usually approximately $1,000.
The Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
Many cost-conscious business owners seek to save money by navigating foreign trademark registration without the assistance of an attorney. While this may initially save them money, the decision to work without an attorney may cost them considerably more in the long run. While it is feasible to begin the registration process without the assistance of an attorney, especially if using the Madrid Protocol, it is nearly always essential to employ local counsel, contact the trademark office and complete the process. If the local attorney is required to help you re-apply for a trademark due to a filing error, it will probably cost you more than if you began the process with an expert trademark attorney.
Working with a trademark attorney will almost certainly boost your chances of clearance. Your attorney will start the registration procedure by conducting a thorough trademark search. This will identify whether or not any other firms in the United Kingdom are using a confusingly similar mark. If you discover an existing mark when doing a complete trademark search, you can consult with your attorney to determine the best course of action before filing your application. Failure to do a thorough search before applying can be costly and time-consuming if a comparable mark has already been registered.
You should be aware of the fees involved while preparing to register your trademark in the United Kingdom. Many aspects, from submitting under the Madrid Protocol to filing oppositions, determine the final Cost of your U.K. registration. Working with a local trademark attorney may assist you in navigating the process and ensuring that your international registration proceeds as efficiently as possible.
