This matter first came to our attention after we were contacted by a former client of Ancient Hume Ltd who was unsure whether they were still receiving important correspondence relating to their trademark.
When a representative is no longer operational, renewal reminders, examination deadlines, and third-party actions can be sent to an address that is no longer being monitored. This can lead to missed statutory deadlines, added cost, or in some cases the need to refile.
Following this enquiry, we conducted further research into Ancient Hume Ltd and identified important information that trademark owners should be aware of.
If you would like assistance reviewing your trademark status or appointing a new representative, please complete the form below and one of our dedicated account managers will be in touch.
What We Know
Based on publicly available records:
- Ancient Hume Limited (Company No. SC308252) was incorporated on 7 September 2006.
- Companies House records show Ancient Hume Limited entered members voluntary liquidation and is now dissolved. The dissolution date shown is 19 September 2025.
- A notice published in The Gazette records the appointment of liquidators and names Donald McNaught of Johnston Carmichael LLP as liquidator, with an appointment date of 21 March 2024.
- The Gazette notice describes the business as activities of patent and copyright agents and other legal activities.
Timeline of Events
7 September 2006
Company incorporated.
21 March 2024
Liquidator appointment date recorded in The Gazette.
26 March 2024
Gazette notices published covering the liquidation process.
19 September 2025
Companies House shows the company dissolved following liquidation.
Current Status
Companies House lists Ancient Hume Limited (SC308252) as dissolved.
Scale of Activity
Our research indicates that Ancient Hume Ltd was recorded as representative on hundreds of UK trademark records at the UK Intellectual Property Office over a number of years.
Ancient Hume acted for a wide range of applicants across different sectors, including businesses with and without in house legal teams.
We are also seeing trademarks linked to former representatives where registrations are showing as dead. This does not necessarily mean a trademark has been abandoned, as it may have been reapplied for or replaced with a new filing.
This does not automatically indicate wrongdoing and may reflect natural portfolio turnover. However, the volume is sufficient to justify a careful review by affected trademark owners to ensure representation details, renewal dates, and deadlines remain correct.
What This Means for Clients of Ancient Hume Ltd
Unless Ancient Hume’s client portfolio was formally transferred to another authorised firm, clients may not be receiving important correspondence relating to their trademarks.
This could include:
- Trademark renewal reminders and expiry deadlines
- Cancellation actions brought by third parties
- Oppositions to pending applications
- Similar marks published in trademark journals
- Examination objections and deadlines to respond
- Requests for evidence of use
- International filing deadlines where a UK representative is still listed
Many official notices are sent directly to the recorded representative. If that representative is no longer operational, correspondence may not reach the trademark owner.
Failure to respond within statutory deadlines can result in loss of trademark protection and additional cost to restore or refile.
What We Are Doing to Help
We are encouraging trademark owners who previously appointed Ancient Hume Ltd to review their UKIPO records and confirm who is currently listed as their representative.
Where requested, we can:
- Conduct a review of your trademark status
- Confirm renewal dates
- Arrange transfer of representation
- Provide ongoing monitoring and portfolio management
- Assist with any urgent matters
Our objective is straightforward: to help ensure that business owners do not unknowingly lose valuable intellectual property rights during periods of administrative disruption.
If Ancient Hume Ltd Acted for You
If Ancient Hume Ltd acted as your representative and you are unsure who is currently managing your trademarks, we recommend conducting an immediate review.
You are welcome to contact us for a no obligation assessment of your trademark position.
