Trademarks

Trademarks are signs you use in business, such as names and logos, which protect the value in your growing business. It’s important to own the exclusive rights in your brand identity. Do register a trademark to avoid unwanted disputes.

• A sign you use in a trademark sense enables your customers to recognise your products and services, and distinguish you from your competitors.
• Registering a trademark enables you to protect your business against unfair competition.
• Apart from names and logos, other signs may also be registered as a trademark. The most commonly registered signs are slogans, numbers, and musical jingles.
• Trademark protection is granted by reference to specified ‘classes’ or business categories. View a list of trademark classes.
• Registered trademarks are a property right which may be bought, sold and licensed.
• Trademark registrations are renewable every ten years
• Trademarks are territorial, meaning you need to register them in each jurisdiction in which you want to have protection.

Applying to register a trademark

The type of trademark application you make will depend on the aspirations you have for your business.

• If your trading activities are restricted to the UK, a UK trademark may be sufficient protection for your needs.
• If your business trades throughout Europe, or you intend to do so in future, then an EU Trademark may be more appropriate.
• If you require even wider protection, it is possible to gain protection in up to 92 countries by making an international application under the Madrid Protocol. View the list of Madrid Protocol countries.
• We offer an International Trademark registration, either using the Madrid Protocol, or directly using local agents.
• The starting point before beginning to use a sign in business is to have a professional trademark search.