Business Legal Services
Trade Mark Registration Service
A trade mark registration is a cost effective way of protecting your brand. Our team of trade mark solicitors will support you throughout the trade mark registration process.
Registering your trade mark is an important first step for business owners looking to protect their brand name, logo, product or domain name. A trade mark registration gives you the exclusive right to use a trade mark. More importantly, it prevents competitors from using your brand for commercial purposes.
Our team of experienced trade mark solicitors will file trade marks in the UK and EU on your behalf, using our experience to avoid common pitfalls, giving you the best chance of success.
Experts in trade mark law
Our team can assist you across all areas of trade mark law, including:
Trade mark registration
Our trade mark solicitors are experienced in registering trade marks in the UK, EU and internationally, helping you put the right filing strategy in place based on your commercial goals, target markets and growth plans. Once your trade marks are registered, we can also support you with ongoing portfolio management, including renewals, monitoring and strategic advice as your brand develops.
Trade mark searches
Our trade mark solicitors carry out searches to identify existing registered marks and other potential conflicts in the UK, EU and internationally, then advise you on the legal and commercial risks of moving forward. If we identify any issues, we will explain your options clearly, whether that means refining the mark, narrowing the specification or adjusting your filing strategy.
Portfolio management
Our trade mark solicitors help you manage and maintain your trade mark portfolio after registration, so your brand remains properly protected as your business grows. We advise on renewals, monitoring, ownership and recordal issues, and broader portfolio strategy, helping you decide where to maintain protection, where to expand and how to align your trade mark rights with your commercial objectives.
The trade mark registration process
The first step in the trade mark registration process is for you to book a call with one of our trade mark solicitors. The aim of the call is to understand your business, industry and overall requirements. During the call we will discuss the different trade mark registration options available to you.
We will then carry out the appropriate searches and advise on the registrability of your proposed mark, highlighting any legal or commercial risks before an application is filed. This helps you make an informed decision at an early stage and reduces the risk of objections or conflicts later in the process.
We will use our experience to draft the application, ensuring that the description is suitable for the class of trade mark you are applying for. A solicitor will consider how the draft will look to those competitors who may be notified about your registration. We will word the draft in a way that will maximise your protection whilst avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Our solicitors will then file your application on your behalf. We will provide you with regular updates on the progress of your trade mark application. In the unlikely event that someone opposes your trade mark registration we will work with you to defend your application or negotiate a compromise.
If you need protection outside the UK, we can also coordinate international filings and work with our overseas network to manage local requirements, deadlines and objections, giving you a joined up approach to protecting your brand across multiple markets.
Why you should register a trade mark
Protect your brand – a trade mark gives you the exclusive right to use a mark. A trade mark makes it easier for you take action against competitors who are currently using your trade mark without consent. If you discover another person or business that is using your trade mark without permission you have the right sue for infringement.
A trade mark is a valuable asset – a trade mark is like any other asset and should be treated as such. Once you obtain the rights to a trade mark you can monetise the use of the trade mark through licensing. You can also sell your trade mark rights to another business.
Reduce litigation costs – we can and do take legal action against infringers even where our client’s trade mark is not registered, but there is no doubt that litigation is easier and more cost effective when you have a registration for your trade mark. A registration creates a presumption that your rights are valid and belong to you. A speedy resolution to a trade mark dispute is likely to mean that your business will spend less on IP litigation.
Prevent brand dilution – in an increasingly competitive market, some businesses will intentionally register brand names and logos that are similar to yours, in an attempt to deceive the public. Some competitors take this one step further by registering similar website domain names and logo designs. This unethical practice could tarnish your brand in the minds of your customers if they mistakenly buy inferior products sold by another company. A trade mark registration makes it easier to oppose trade mark applications that are confusingly similar to those used by your business. A trade mark registration can be used as evidence and can be shown to the IPO during the opposition process.
The cost of a trade mark application
The official filing fees for the UK are £170 for one trade mark class and €850 for a single EU trade mark class. This fee does not include the cost of our trade mark registration service.
We offer competitive pricing for filing a trade mark in the UK, EU or another country of your choice contact us today. The registration of a UK trade mark costs £795, with further savings available via our subscription plans.
If you would like to know more about our competitively priced legal support plans, please view our pricing page or get in touch to find out more.
TESTIMONIALS
What our clients say
We pride ourselves on delivering an excellent service for clients, but don’t just take our word for it.
Our Trade mark solicitors
Why choose Harper James?
Our trade mark solicitors are with you every step of the process. We take the time to truly understand your business and its requirements and provide practical guidance and advice on how to approach the trade mark registration process.
We also help clients develop international brand protection strategies, whether that means expanding an existing portfolio into new territories or coordinating filings across multiple jurisdictions from the outset.
We are also experienced in helping clients manage their IP after they have successfully registered their trade mark. Our post registration services include trade mark licensing and exploitation, trade mark monitoring, litigation and renewals.
Our team of solicitors have a wealth of experience in trade mark law, having all previously worked at top 100 UK law firms.
Pricing and service plans
Legal support designed
to fit your business needs
Our three transparent service plans are designed to give you the widest possible access to high-quality legal advice, whatever the size and nature of your business:
Engage
Flexible access to senior solicitors at highly competitive rates
An alternative to our subscription plans, offering access to full service legal expertise on a project-by-project basis.
Enable
Purpose built legal support for start-ups and smaller businesses
Monthly subscription plan for £239 per month, with £159 monthly credit and access to all legal services at 50% discount on our Standard Rates.
Extend
Comprehensive legal partnership for established businesses
Fully account managed and scalable annual subscription plan with support from a curated team of partners and senior solicitors, with up to 33% discount on our Standard Rates.
