How Much Does Trade Mark Registration Cost in the UK?

Quick answer: The UKIPO filing fee starts from £170 for one class, plus £50 for each additional class when filed online. The real trade mark registration cost in UK includes solicitor fees, clearance searches, objections, opposition work, renewals and wider brand protection steps, depending on your application.

Protecting a brand can be one of the most cost-effective legal steps a business takes. But the true trade mark registration cost in UK is not just the filing fee. The real cost depends on the mark you want to protect, the classes you choose, whether there are earlier rights, and whether the application runs into objections or opposition.

Under the Trade Marks Act 1994, a registered UK trade mark can give you exclusive rights to use your brand for the goods and services covered by your registration. Applications are handled by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).

What does a UK trade mark application cost?

If you file online, the official UKIPO fee is £170 for one class and £50 for each additional class. Filing in two classes costs £220, and three classes costs £270. Some recent commentary has referred to fee increases from 1 April 2026 to £205 for the first class and £60 for each additional class. Because fees can change, always check the latest UKIPO fees before filing.

Typical trade mark registration costs in practice

• Official filing fee: from £170 for one class
• Solicitor fees: often a fixed or staged fee, depending on the work involved
• Clearance searches: may be included in a legal package or charged separately
• Objection or examination response costs: extra if UKIPO raises concerns
• Opposition costs: can increase sharply if another party challenges the application
• Renewal fees: payable every 10 years
• Watching services: optional ongoing monitoring for similar marks
• International filing costs: extra if you need protection outside the UK

A basic filing may be relatively low cost, while a disputed or poorly planned application can become far more expensive.

Do I need a solicitor for a UK trade mark?

No, you do not legally need a solicitor to file a UK trade mark application. However, legal advice from a trade mark solicitor is often worthwhile where your brand name may be descriptive or borderline distinctive, you are unsure which classes to choose, there may be similar earlier marks on the register, you have received an objection or threat from another business, or the brand is commercially important and costly to change later.

A solicitor can help reduce the risk of paying the filing fee for an application that is weak from the outset. UKIPO fees are usually not refunded simply because the application fails.

What hidden costs do applicants often miss?

Clearance search risk

Filing without proper searches can be costly. If there is an earlier identical or similar mark, you may face opposition proceedings, a cease and desist letter, a need to rebrand after launch, or wasted spend on packaging, websites and advertising.

Class strategy mistakes

Choosing classes is not just an admin exercise. Filing in the wrong class can leave your business exposed. Filing too broadly can also create problems if the wording is unclear or commercially unrealistic.

Objections and examination issues

The UKIPO may object if the mark lacks distinctiveness, is descriptive, misleading, or otherwise falls foul of the Trade Marks Act 1994. Responding properly often requires legal analysis and evidence.

Opposition costs

If a third party opposes your application, costs can rise quickly. You may need legal advice, evidence, negotiation support, and representation through formal opposition proceedings. In some cases, a settlement or limitation of goods and services may be the sensible commercial outcome.

Renewal and portfolio costs

A UK registration lasts 10 years, but it must be renewed. If you own several marks across several classes, your renewal costs can become a significant part of long-term brand management.

How long does a UK trade mark application take?

If things go smoothly, many UK applications take around 3 to 4 months from filing to registration. The typical timeline is: application filed; examination by UKIPO, often within a few weeks; publication period, during which third parties can oppose; and registration, if no opposition or unresolved issues arise. That timeline can be longer if the UKIPO raises objections, if specifications need amendment, or if opposition proceedings are started.

Practical cost examples

Simple one-class start-up filing

A new consultancy wants to protect its brand name in one service class. UKIPO fee: from £170. Solicitor support extra, depending on the level of advice and search work. This is often the most straightforward scenario, but only if the name is distinctive and clear of earlier rights.

Two-class e-commerce brand

An online retailer wants to protect its brand for both clothing and online retail services. UKIPO fee: £220. Solicitor fees likely higher than a one-class filing because class strategy matters more. This is a common area for mistakes. Some businesses file only for products and forget retail services, or vice versa.

Contested application

A business files for a name that is later challenged by the owner of an earlier mark. Possible costs may include the original filing fee, solicitor fees for advice and response, settlement discussions, evidence preparation, and opposition proceedings costs. This is where a low-cost filing can become expensive very quickly.

What are the main reasons UK trade mark applications are refused or challenged?

• the mark is too descriptive
• the mark lacks distinctiveness
• the specification is unclear or too broad
• there is an earlier similar mark
• the application was filed without proper searches
• the branding risks confusing consumers

The cheapest application is not always the most economical. A stronger filing strategy at the start can save substantial cost later.

Renewal costs, watching services and international expansion

UK registrations need renewal every 10 years. Official renewal fees apply, and extra class fees may also be payable. A watching service can alert you to later applications that may conflict with your brand. If you trade outside the UK, a UK registration alone may not be enough. Separate filing routes may be needed for other countries or territories, which adds to overall legal spend.

FAQ: trademark registration cost UK

How much does trade mark registration cost in the UK?

The UKIPO online fee starts from £170 for one class, plus £50 per additional class. The full cost including legal advice, searches, responses, and renewals will depend on how straightforward the application is.

Do I need a solicitor for a UK trade mark?

Not legally, but specialist advice helps reduce the risk of filing a weak application, missing relevant earlier marks, or choosing the wrong classes.

What happens if my trade mark application is opposed?

You may need legal advice, evidence, negotiation support, and representation through formal opposition proceedings. Costs can increase sharply.

How long does a UK trade mark last?

A UK registration lasts 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for legal advice.