A name is typically the first trade mark that businesses' secure
Get started with trade marking your name today with our guide.
Photo by Pablo Gentile on Unsplash
Words by Dr. Martin Douglas Hendry
GUIDE: How to trade mark a name in the UK
So you are looking to trade mark your name in the UK - congratulations!
A trade mark (spelt "trademark" in the US) is a registered intellectual property right that protects your name - stopping other people from using a name that is the same or too similar.
But what is the process of registering a trade mark in the UK?
Here is a quick idea of the process.
Step 1: Select your name
To begin you will want to select the name you wish to trade mark. Done? Brilliant!
Step 2: Check if it is available
Remember, that if it is a good idea, chances are someone else may have already thought about it!
A cursory search on Google, social media, Companies House (note: company names on Companies House are not necessarily trade marked, but can provide a hint at what is out there) and the trade mark register can give you an idea of whether it will be available.
Remember, you will need to be sure that it is available in all of the classes you will be using it for. Read more about classes by looking at the link to the guide below.
You will also need to check whether it is something that can be registered as a trade mark in the UK. There are a number of rules which stop certain things from being registered (like immoral terms, or protected words.) Again we have some information about this linked below.
Once this is done and you're happy that it is available you can apply to register the trade mark.
Step 3: Apply for your trade mark
The IPO website allows anyone to register their trade mark.
When you go here, you will need to be 100% sure that it will be registerable. If not you may receive a refusal on absolute grounds (if it is something that is not allowed to be used as a trade mark in the UK) or relative grounds (if someone else has something that is the same or too similar in the UK).
The key to this is an expertly cleared name and a finely tailored trade mark specification.
For trade marks that are very important to a business, it is recommended that you speak to a lawyer who is experienced to make sure that you have the best possible application to avoid these traps and technicalities.
Getting it wrong can risk time and money wasted, or in the case of an already existing brand, an opposition or trade mark infringement claim.
Step 4: Examination
Once your trade mark application has been submitted it will be examined by a trade mark examiner at the UKIPO. They will see whether the trade mark is able to perform the function of a trade mark on "absolute grounds". Again you can read our guide about this below. Once it is cleared by the examiner, it moves on to the next phase.
Step 5: Publishing
At this point, the trade mark is published in the UK trade marks journal. Here the application is made public and other businesses are able to see what you are planning to use as a brand - and if they have a similar or close brand, oppose or stop the registration from going through.
For this reason, it is really important to make sure that the name you are trying to register in the first place will not be likely to cause an issue with existing trade mark holders.
Most trade mark owners will have a watching service over their trade mark making sure that they are alerted to any applications that come close to their mark when they're published.
Trade marks are published for 2 months, and then if there are no objections or issues...
Step 6: You have a UK trade mark!
Congratulations, you have a registered UK trade mark for your name. Now you have this trade mark it will be much easier for you to stand out amongst other people in the marketplace and stop them if they use something that is identical or too similar.
Need help trade marking a name now?
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How much does it cost to trade mark a name in the UK?
Registering a trade mark in the UK is not free, and at the very least, if you do it on your own you will need to pay the Intellectual Property Office filing fees (£170) with a small additional fee (£50) for each different class that you wish to register the trade mark in.
Despite this, self-filing is done at your own risk, as not preparing the trade mark registration with expert advice and clearance to make sure that both the name is possible to be trade marked and that it won't be opposed by an existing trade mark holder.
As above, an incorrectly prepared application can result in wasted time and money - as well as the risk of opposition proceedings.
You do not receive your fees back if your trade mark application is rejected. As a result, it is important to make sure that you get it right the first time around.
Most applicants instruct an intellectual property solicitor and/or trade mark attorney to do this work. These specialists will charge an additional fee on top of the registration cost, typically taking the range of cost from between £700-£1200 for a single UK trade mark in one class.
Here the uplift in cost means more time has been used to prepare the application to increase its chances of succeeding the first time around.
How to find out if a name is trade marked in the UK
To find out if a name is trade marked in the UK you can search the trade mark register on the IPO.
A link to the trade mark register can be found here.
Most people will be able to identify names that are identical, which will stop you from getting your trade mark.
But you also have to be aware that existing trade mark holders can also object to applications on similarity which can even go as far as the look, feel and sound of the name.
A fully comprehensive clearance search from a trade mark attorney will take all of these nuances into account before filing the trade mark application - making sure that the name has the best chance of being trade marked without any issues.
How long to trade mark a name in the UK
The IPO has provided a guide which outlines the timeline for registering a trade mark in the UK.
Generally speaking, it takes around 8 weeks for a trade mark to be registered from the point of an application being made to the certificate being issued.
However, this process can take longer should any issues come up in examination or should an opposition come in once it is published.
It is important to know, however, that should your trade mark be registered it protects the name from the day it was filed.
This means if you applied for a trade mark in June and it was granted in October - any infringement that has happened between June and October is covered by that trade mark.
So whilst it can take a little time for a trade mark to be registered, once it is confirmed it is in force from the day that the application had been made.
How to trade mark a business logo
Trade marking a business logo is essentially the same process as registering a business name as a trade mark.
When seeking to apply for a logo, the applicant uploads an image of the logo as a JPEG or PNG file to the IPO for examination.
It can be trickier to secure a logo, however, as it is more difficult to search for similar logos on the register without the use of specialist software - and the degree of similarity is harder to discern if you are not an expert in the area.
In spite of the above, it is commonplace for businesses to register as their first two trade marks their business name and logo as this offers a broad level of protection over the look and feel of their business activities.
How long does a UK trade mark last?
A UK trade mark lasts for 10 years.
However, it can be renewed for (£200), in essence giving the trade mark the opportunity to enjoy trade mark protection over that name forever - it must simply be being used for goods or services in the classes it is registered in.
Conclusion
In this post, we have looked at how to trade mark a name in the UK. This has looked at the entire process from the formulation of the trade mark to its registration - as well as covering a number of the issues that come into play.
We hope that you now find yourself in a much better position as it relates to your trade mark registration.
Remember, if you need help, do not hesitate to get in touch!
Need help trade marking a name now?
Would you like help to register a trade mark for your name, right away?
Get in touch with our team today by clicking the button below to get started.
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Who are Virtuoso Legal?
Virtuoso Legal is a team of intellectual property specialists based in Leeds and London - operating worldwide. Virtuoso Legal's team of IP experts have successfully tried cases in the IPEC, High Court, Court of Appeals and United Kingdom Supreme Court. In addition, the team assist companies in creating, commercialising and protecting the big ideas that make their business unique. The firm and its professionals are ranked yearly in legal directories such as the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, cementing their status as a Top 2% law firm in the world.
Get in touch with our team today by clicking the button below to get started with protecting your name today.
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The content on this website, including FAQs and legal posts, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction, and specific advice should always be sought for individual circumstances. Virtuoso Legal is not responsible for any losses arising from reliance on this content. For tailored advice, please contact us at 0113 237 9900 or enquiries@virtuosolegal.com.
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