The Complete Guide to UK Trademark Registration

Renewal is where people get caught out years later. UK trademarks last ten years from registration, not forever, and they need renewing before they lapse. Miss the deadline and there's a grace period with a late fee, but miss that too and you lose the registration entirely, at which point someone else could register the same mark. Plenty of businesses that registered a trademark in their startup phase forget about it a decade later when the founder who handled admin has moved on.

Everything from search tools to fee schedules to the actual application form sits on Gov.uk, and it's worth working through the official guidance directly rather than relying on secondhand summaries, since fee amounts and class definitions get updated periodically.

Key takeaways

• UK trademark registration goes through the Intellectual Property Office, separate from company incorporation UK filings at Companies House.
• Protection is tied to specific goods and services classes, not a blanket claim over a name.
• Search the existing register before filing to avoid conflicts and wasted fees.
• Registration typically takes around six months if uncontested, and costs a few hundred pounds for one class.
• Trademarks last ten years and must be renewed, or the registration lapses.

FAQs

Does registering a company name protect my brand?
No. It only stops identical names on the Companies House register, not similar branding used by competitors.

How long does UK trademark registration take?
Usually around six months from filing to registration if no one objects during the two-month publication period.

Can I trademark a name that's already a registered company?
Sometimes, if the trademark classes don't conflict with an existing mark, but a proper search beforehand is essential.

What happens if I don't renew my trademark?
It lapses after ten years unless renewed, and there's a grace period with a late fee before it's lost entirely.

Where do I find official fees and forms?
Gov.uk hosts the current fee schedule, the trademark search tool, and the application process directly through the IPO.