Knowledge Hub · Updated 13 October 2026
Trademark Knowledge Hub
Free, plain-English help with UK trademarks, from the team that has been registering and protecting brands for UK businesses since 2008.
Everything we publish is here in one place: step-by-step guides, answers to the questions business owners ask us most, trademark news, real client stories, scam warnings and short videos. Search for your question, filter by topic, or start with what other readers are looking at this week. If you can’t find what you need, ask us and a specialist will reply within one working day.
International Trademark Registration
Our specialists manage your Global Trademark Registration across multiple countries, providing expert advice and clear guidance on International Trademark Cost.
A Guide to European Community Trademarks
Learn how European Community Trademarks (now EU Trademarks) work, their benefits, and how to register your brand across the EU with this practical guide.
EU Trademark Registration
EU trademark registration made simple: one EU trademark application protects your brand across all 27 EU member states. UK specialists since 2008, fixed fee.
News25 Aug 2026Why Is OpenAI’s ChatGPT Trademark Being Opposed in Australia?
OpenAI's ChatGPT trademark has been opposed in Australia by the owner of the GPT property group. How oppositions work there and what it means for UK brands.
Article24 Aug 2026Why Do Some Brands Have Different Names in Different Countries?
Why do some brands have different names in different countries? Hungry Jack's, Lynx and Walkers explained, and how to check your name before you expand.
Article27 Jan 2026UK Trademark vs EU and International Trademarks: Understanding the Differences and Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Understand the differences between UK, EU and international trademarks, and learn how to avoid costly filing mistakes that leave your brand unprotected.
FAQ12 Oct 2026Do I need separate UK and EU trademarks after Brexit?
If your brand matters in both the UK and the European Union, you generally need trademark protection covering both territories. A UK trademark does not protect you t…
What happens to my EU trademark if a country leaves the EU?
It only affects you if a country you rely on leaves, and the Brexit precedent is reassuring. When the UK left, the EUIPO and the UK IPO arranged for every existing E…
Can I convert my UK trademark into an EU trademark?
Not directly, they are separate rights, so you file a fresh EU application. The useful part is that if you file in the EU within six months of your UK filing date, y…
Do I need a UK trademark before applying for an EU one?
No. An EUTM is independent and you can file it directly. For a UK business it is often sensible to register in the UK first, since that is your home market, but it i…
How long does an EU trademark application take?
In a straightforward case with no opposition, usually around four to six months from filing through to registration. We give you a realistic timeline at the outset a…
Does an EU trademark cover the UK, Switzerland or Norway?
No. An EUTM covers the 27 EU member states only. The UK needs its own registration since Brexit, and non-EU countries such as Switzerland, Norway and Turkey each nee…
How much does an EU trademark cost?
The EUIPO official fee starts at €850 for one class filed online, with €50 for a second class and €150 for each further class. We confirm the exact official fees for…
Can a business outside the UK register an EU trademark through you?
Yes. A business based anywhere in the world that sells into Europe can protect its brand across all 27 EU states with one EUTM through us, with a single UK based poi…
FAQ12 Oct 2026Does a UK trademark protect me everywhere I sell, worldwide?
No. A UK trademark protects your brand in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man. It does not automatically protect you in other countries, including places where yo…
How long does international trademark registration take?
It varies by country, but as a rough guide, many markets take somewhere between 6 and 18 months if there are no objections. Some are faster, some much slower. We giv…
How much does an international trademark cost?
There is no single figure, because every country sets its own official fee, from around RMB 300 in China to several hundred pounds in the US, EU or Canada. On top of…
Can I claim priority based on my UK trademark?
Yes. If you file abroad within six months of your UK filing date, you can usually claim that earlier UK date as your priority date. It does not guarantee acceptance,…
What if my application is rejected in one country?
A rejection in one country does not affect your registrations in the others. With local representation we can usually respond to the objection, amend the specificati…
Do I need to renew each country separately?
Trademarks generally renew every ten years, but the detail varies by country. In the United States, for example, you renew every ten years, and you must also file pr…
Which countries are not covered by the Madrid Protocol?
Most major economies are members, but some are not, so they need a direct national filing. Taiwan is not part of the system, and Hong Kong is not covered by mainland…
What is the difference between WIPO and a country’s trademark office?
The name is a little misleading. WIPO, the World Intellectual Property Organization, is a United Nations agency based in Geneva, not a trademark office, and it canno…
Can I apply internationally without a UK trademark first?
For a Madrid application you need a home application or registration to base it on, which for a UK business is usually the UK mark. You can file directly in individu…
Article23 Sep 2026Can You Protect Your Brand Abroad Later? How the Trademark Priority Period Works
How the trademark priority period works: file in the UK first, then take six months to file abroad and keep your original date. Apple's iPhone Duo shows how.
Article26 Aug 2026Someone in Another Country Is Using My Brand. Can I Stop Them?
A UK trademark is a territorial right and stops at the border. What you can do when a business overseas uses your name, and where you should be registered.
News20 Aug 2026Supermac’s Beat McDonald’s at the UK Registry. Here’s What That Says About Names That Look Too Similar
Is my business name too similar to one that already exists? A UK registry decision shows a shared word is not enough on its own. What actually decides it.
News13 Aug 2026Jersey Just Dropped Out of UK International Trademark Registrations: It’s a Small Change That Makes a Bigger Point
From 1 August, Jersey is no longer covered by the UK designation of an international trademark registration. What changed, who it affects, and what to check.
Article11 Jun 2026Is It Worth Registering Your Trademark in the UAE?
UAE trademark registration: what the official fees are, how the process and Madrid route work, and how to decide if the UAE is worth protecting now.
Article25 Mar 2026What is the Madrid Protocol, and does it work?
Thinking about international trademark registration? Learn the pros and cons of the Madrid Protocol and why local filing can offer better protection across global ma…
News6 Feb 2026Brexit’s Final Blow to EU Trademarks – the UK Trademark Gap That Could Affect Established Brands
If you sell products or services into the UK and don’t have a UK trademark, your brand may be completely unprotected, even if you’ve…
News11 Jun 2025When Ugg Isn’t Just a Brand and What the Famous Boot Taught Us About Trademarks and Geography
https://youtube.com/shorts/wShIXO81bgM?feature=share Say “Ugg” in the UK and you’ll picture the classic tan boots, trademarked, well marketed, and sold by the UGG br…
News19 May 2025How Brexit and Backlogs Are Leaving One Small Business Owner £30,000 Out of Pocket in a Trademark Battle with L’Oréal
Discover how Brexit and EUIPO backlogs cost one small business £30,000 in a trademark dispute with L’Oréal—and what it means for your brand protection strategy.
News16 May 2025The Trademark Trouble Behind Dubai Chocolate and What It Means for Your Brand
You’ve probably seen it. That glossy, pistachio-filled chocolate bar from Dubai that has gone viral across TikTok and Instagram. Rich. Indulgent. Beautifully package…
Article9 May 2025International Branding 101: A Lake Como Lesson
Whilst I was in Lake Como this weekend for my cousin’s stunning wedding, I spotted this in a vending machine on the street. Yes,…
Article6 Dec 2024Protecting Your Brand in the Virtual World of NFTs
As non-fungible tokens (NFTs) continue to revolutionise the digital landscape, protecting your brand in this virtual space has never been more critical. NFTs can…
Article6 Dec 2024Damien Hirst’s NFT Experiment: Digital Art vs. Physical Art
Damien Hirst who owns several trademarks worldwide including ‘his name’, ‘Spot Paintings’ and ‘Spin Paintings’, shook up the art world with his groundbreaking project,…
Article6 Dec 2024MetaBirkins: A Case Study in Trademark Disputes with NFTs
If you read our article Navigating Trademark Issues in the NFT World you’ll know that NFT’s and the rights and obligations to their creation,…
News19 Nov 2024Sweden’s Bold Move to Trademark Its Name: What It Means for Global Branding
Sweden has taken a groundbreaking step by applying to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to trademark its name. This bold move aims…
Selvarajah Revindran, Enzymoplast
Ed Farrell, The Duck Truck
News1 Jan 2018How Will Brexit Impact EU Trademark Protections?
Discover how Brexit affects EU trademark protections for UK businesses. Learn what steps to take to maintain your brand rights post-Brexit.
Article3 Jul 2026Does Your Trademark Cover AI Now Your Business Uses It?
Does your trademark cover AI now your business uses it? Using AI vs selling AI, which classes cover AI software and services, and a simple check to run.
Article11 Aug 2026Do You Need a Trademark Before You Franchise Your Business?
Do you need a trademark before you franchise? Why the franchisor needs to own the brand, how franchisee licences work, and five checks to run before you sell.
Article30 Jul 2026Can You Update a Trademark When Your Business Changes?
Can you update a trademark? You cannot add goods or services to a UK registration. When a business change needs a new filing, and why an annual review helps.
News25 Jun 2026Tesla’s Cybercab Trademark Fight: Why You File Before You Announce
Tesla announced Cybercab and a French firm filed the name six days later. What the Tesla Cybercab trademark dispute shows about filing before you announce.
News10 Jun 2026Can a Smaller Business’s Trademark Stop a Famous Brand?
How prior trademark rights let a Las Vegas performer challenge Taylor Swift's Showgirl filing, how the same rules work in the UK and why filing first matters.
Article4 Jun 2026150 Years of UK Trademarks. What Actually Makes a Brand Last?
What do Rolls Royce, Cadbury, Marmite, Twinings and the BBC all have in common? Most people would probably say heritage. Reputation. Recognition. They would…
Article21 May 2026Can You Sell Upcycled Branded Goods Without Infringing a Trademark?
Can you sell upcycled branded goods without infringing a trademark? How UK exhaustion of rights works, the Chanel, Rolex and Hermès cases, and checks to make.
Article27 Jan 2026The Power of Niching Down: What Jet Washing Taught Me About Building a Brand
Discover how niching and value-added services can turn simple jobs like jet washing into profitable opportunities, and why the same thinking matters for trademarks.
News30 Oct 2025IMPORTANT – Lessons from SpudBros vs The Spud Father – Part 2
Prevention Is Better Than Cure Registering a trademark is only the first step. The second, often forgotten and probably more important for you (the…
News28 Mar 2025Bacardi Faces Setback in Havana Club Trademark Battle – Key Lessons for Brand Protection
In another twist to the decades-long trademark dispute, spirits giant Bacardi has experienced a notable setback. A Virginia federal court recently dismissed Bacardi'…
Article6 Dec 2024Navigating Trademark Issues in the NFT World
When we talk about Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT’s) we are essentially talking about the world of digital art and assets, 2021 marked a revolutionary change…
Article11 Sep 2024Being More than just a Trademark Representative
Intro - The Power of Trademarks in Modern Marketing Marketing Have you noticed that we try to be more than just Trademark Representative's? Did…
Fleur Cushman, Director, Curranz
Mike Smith, Director, Trinity Homecare
News21 Jun 2024Bacardi Scores Legal Victory in Long-Running HAVANA CLUB Trademark Dispute
Bacardi's HAVANA CLUB trademark battle revived by US Court of Appeals. The case against the Cuban government and USPTO challenges the 2016 renewal by Cubaexport, hig…
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Jonathan PatonFounder & CEOBrand protection strategy for UK businesses since 2008.
Matthew GriffithsCommercial DirectorClient work and our UK and international partnerships.
Alex PughBrand Protection ConsultantNew clients, international applications and hearings.
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Saad AshrafMarketing ManagerMarketing and the trademark data behind our guides.
