To check if a name is trademarked, search the official register for each country you trade in or plan to, starting with the UK register if you sell here: the IPO’s online trademark search, or our free trademark search for a quick first look. Search for similar names as well as the exact one, in the classes that cover what you actually sell. Then look beyond the register at who is already trading under something close, because a business can hold rights in a name it never registered. A logo needs its own check, since the images are searched separately from the words. If you’d like it done thoroughly, our trademark consultation and clearance audit looks beyond the UK register to other countries, domains, social media and online marketplaces.
Is an exact-match search enough to check if a name is trademarked?
No. The danger we see most often isn’t a name that’s obviously taken. It’s a name that looked clear because the search only covered the exact spelling, or only the UK, or only Companies House. A conflict doesn’t need an identical name, just one close enough in look, sound or meaning that customers might connect the two businesses. And a company name being free at Companies House tells you nothing about whether it’s trademarked.
How do we check if a business name or logo is trademarked?
When I research a name, I look across a wide spread of similar marks, not just the first result, because it shows how crowded the space is and how the IPO has treated names like yours. Our free search is the place to start: it checks your name against UK word marks in the sectors you choose, as often as you like. It won’t check a logo’s imagery, other countries or unregistered use. The wider check, across other countries and unregistered use, is what the clearance audit is for, from £99, with the consultation free for new clients.
What does a full name check give you?
You find out before the logo is signed off, the stock is ordered and the socials are built, not after a letter arrives. If the risk is too high, I’ll say so rather than file, because the most expensive application is the one that fails. If the name is clear, our UK trademark registration service takes it from there through to registration. You can book a free call, email enquiries@thetrademarkhelpline.com or ring 0161 833 5400.
Related questions
- Can someone steal my business name?
- What happens if someone copies my logo? Can I sue?
- Does owning the domain name protect my brand?
This answer is for information purposes only and does not constitute trademark advice or guidance. Last reviewed 25 September 2026. First shared as a LinkedIn post.
