Trademark a Name in a Remarkable Way in the UK; Costs

Trademark a Name

If you’re recently started a business, then you may be wondering how to legally protect your mark from infringement in the UK. However, it’s important to know that trademark registration is a time taking process, which includes an amount to be paid for a successful registration. Every country has their own expenses for the trademark registration, such as the UK. In this article, you will get to know what are the basic costs you need to pay for trademark registration in the UK. 

Benefits of Trademark Registration in the UK

Trademarks are important assets to your business which needs to be taken care of through the registration of your trademarks. Your brand will be safer because of the registration, and it will prevent damages which can happen if anyone with the same business uses a similar mark.

When you register your mark, you will be able to access the following benefits:

1. You can provide evidence for the case of trademark infringement. Usually it happens that in case of trademark infringement, people cannot prove that their rights are being violated because of the lack of required legal documents. However, it won’t happen if you have legally registered your mark.
2. Always place ® next to your mark to make the public aware that you own the mark.
3. You can freely defend yourself if any third party tries to claim upon your mark.
4. You will have the exclusive rights to sell and license your mark.

For more information, you can refer to:
How to Trademark a Logo Successfully in UK

Costs to Trademark a Name in the UK

There are two ways by which you can apply for trademark registration, they are:

By online website: 

If you’re applying online through the official website of  UKIPO (UK Intellectual Property Office) then you need to pay £150 with additional charges of £50 for each “class”. 

By post:

If you’re applying for trademark registration by post then the cost is £200 which is for one class. If there are additional classes, then you need to pay £50 extra for each additional class.

In case of online application, there will be two options available for you:

Standard

Fees for a single class in standard type of online application is £170 and £50 for each additional class.

Right Start 

If the type of online application is “right start” then the fees for a single class is £200. However, the initial payment will be £100 if you go ahead with your application, and £50 is the full payment for each additional class and £25 is the initial payment for the same.

What is “Right Start” ?

If you’re filling a trademark application in the UK, then you have an option to file an application through the “right start” type of application. 

It gives you a chance to check the application before if it meets the required criteria for trademark registration, for which you need to pay £100 and £25 initially.

After the payment, you’ll receive a report that will inform you if your application meets the basic criteria. 

Further, you will get the option to choose whether you want to go ahead with the trademark registration, if you want to proceed then you will have to pay the full payment within 14 days of receiving the report.

Additional Costs in the UK Trademark Registration Process

On the basis of classes, extra charges are applied in the UK Trademark registration process. The charges according to classes are as follows:

1. If you choose one class then the fees is £170
2. If you choose two classes then the fees is £220
3. If you choose three classes then the fees is 270
4. For any additional classes, £50 will be charged for each class.

Classes are the core of trademark application. It shows the quality and depth of the goods and services of your mark, therefore, the number of classes increases the scope of your trademark. Hence, classes should be carefully chosen according to the mark you’re applying for.

How to Know If Your Mark Is Trademarkable in the UK

Before applying for trademark registration, it is important to check if the mark is strong enough to qualify for trademark registration in the UK. To know if the mark is eligible for registration in UK, follow the below points:

1. The mark should not fall under the grounds of refusal under the Trademarks Act, 1994. 
2. The mark must be easy to remember so that people wouldn’t get confused while remembering your brand. Though, it’s not important that the name depicts your goods or services. For example, APPLE.
3. You may choose a name which is related to the goods or services of your mark, but it must not be fully descriptive in nature, otherwise there will be high chances of rejection of your application.