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.
UK Trademark
Our Trademark Specialist handles your Trademark Application from search to registration. Whether its Brand Name Registration or logo, or tagline.
Trademark Cost Calculator
Free tool · No sign up What will your trademark actually cost? Work out the real cost of protecting your brand, in the UK…
How to Trademark a Business Name in the UK
A company name at Companies House isn't a trademark. How to protect your business name in the UK: what it costs, how long it takes, and a free search.
Self-Service vs The Trademark Helpline vs a Trademark Attorney
The honest comparison Doing it yourself, using us, or paying a trademark attorney. What the register actually shows. Every figure below comes from the…
Trademark Process
A clear, visual guide The trademark process, explained. From the day you file to the day you are registered — every stage, what happens,…
Free Trademark Guide
Download our free trademark Guide.
Trademark Your Name
Learn how to trademark your name with step-by-step guidance on eligibility, application process, and protecting your personal brand effectively.
Trademark Protection
Learn how to protect your trademark in the UK and EU. Our experts help safeguard your brand with legal advice, monitoring, and enforcement services.
Trademarking Your Logo
Want to trademark your logo in the UK? Protect your brand's visual identity with expert filing support. We handle the search, application, and registration for you.
Article30 Jun 2021Bass, the UK’s oldest trademark
The story behind the UK's oldest trademark, Bass beer.
Article29 May 2026What Can You Do If the IPO Objects to Your Trademark?
Had a trademark objection from the IPO? What it means, your two-month deadline, the options for responding and what happens at an ex parte hearing.
3 Feb 2025A Stress-Free Experience with The Trademark Helpline: Isabel’s Free From Success Story
Discover Isabel's stress-free trademark registration success with The Trademark Helpline. Experience expert guidance, seamless communication, and top-notch trademark…
3 Feb 2025Case Study – Grandma’s Kitchen
The Trademark Helpline client case study on Bolton based new business Grandma's Kitchen.
News22 Oct 2024Erling Haaland’s Trademark Journey
Goals and Red Cards Erling Haaland is a name inextricably linked with success and, occasionally, controversy. As one of the world's most prolific goal…
FAQ12 Oct 2026Is my company name automatically protected once it’s registered at Companies House?
No. Registering a company name at Companies House does not register it as a trademark or automatically give you exclusive rights to use it as a brand. A limited comp…
Could someone really register my business name and stop me using it?
Yes. The UK works on a first-to-file basis. If someone registers your name as a trademark before you do, they can hold the rights, even if you’ve traded under it for…
FAQ12 Oct 2026What actually happens if I never trademark my brand?
Possibly nothing happens immediately. The problem is that the need for trademark protection often becomes apparent only after the business has built something valuab…
FAQ12 Oct 2026Is it worth paying to trademark, or am I fine as I am?
Not every name needs to be registered as a trademark. The important question is what would happen to your business if you could no longer use the brand, or if somebo…
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the UK?
The UK IPO's official fee starts at £205 to register one class for ten years' protection, and rises with each additional class. That official fee is the cost of regi…
Can’t I just do it myself at the IPO?
You can file directly. But applications filed without professional input are almost twice as likely to be rejected at examination, usually over class selection or an…
Can’t I just copyright my business name instead?
No, and plenty of websites get this wrong. Copyright protects creative works like writing, music or artwork. It does not protect a name. To protect what your busines…
What are trademark classes, and which ones do I need?
Protection is divided into classes: defined groups of goods and services. You’re protected only in the classes you register, and they can’t be added later, so gettin…
FAQ12 Oct 2026When should I trademark, before or after I launch? Is it ever too late?
Not every business name needs to be registered as a trademark. If your brand, including your name, logo or tagline, is unique and important to your plans, you should…
How long does registration take, and am I exposed while I wait?
In a straightforward case, around four months from filing, assuming no examiner objection and no third-party opposition. Importantly, your protection dates back to y…
Should I register outside the UK too?
A UK trademark stops at the UK border. If you sell, or plan to sell, abroad, applying internationally within six months of your UK filing lets you claim your UK fili…
What makes up the cost of a trademark?
There are two parts. Official register fees are set by each trademark office, rise with the number of classes you cover, and are paid straight to the office. Profess…
What is not included in a fixed trademark application price?
Renewals, which normally fall due every ten years, are not included, and neither is monitoring, or enforcing and defending the trademark if somebody tries to copy or…
How much is the brand audit before filing a trademark?
Our Brand Audit with review and consultation is normally £298, but you pay £99. The £99 is deducted from your fees if you choose us to register the trademark. If we…
Why does one trademark cost more than another?
Two things drive the number: classes and territories. Each extra class of goods or services adds to the official fee, and a UK registration protects the UK only, so…
What kinds of names can be protected as a trademark?
A trademark can protect a business name, a product name, a brand name or the name behind a domain. Registering a company at Companies House or buying a domain does n…
Do I need to trademark a product name as well as my business name?
It depends where the value sits. If customers buy the house brand, protecting the business name may be enough. If individual product names carry their own recognitio…
What are the benefits of registering a trademark?
A registered trademark strengthens your brand and gives a solid foundation for building the company's reputation. It secures the exclusive right to own and use the m…
Is registering a trademark the only way to get exclusive rights to a name?
Yes. It is a common misconception that registering a company at Companies House gives the same security as a trademark. It does not. Companies House records a legal…
Does a trademark protect my name in every industry?
No. A trademark gives exclusive rights in the classes of goods and services it is registered for. Another business may be able to use the same name in an unrelated a…
Can my company name infringe someone else's trademark?
Yes. Companies House does not check the trademark register, so it can accept a company name that another business has already registered as a trademark. If that happ…
How can a sole trader protect a business name?
Sole traders and partnerships do not register their business name anywhere, so without a trademark the only protection is a passing off claim. That means proving you…
Can I trademark a business name that describes what I do?
Usually not. Names that simply describe the business, such as Best Plumbing or Manchester Accountants, are normally refused. Distinctive, invented or unexpected name…
Is it better to register a business name as words or as a logo?
Start with the name as words. A word trademark protects the name in any lettering, colour or design, while a logo registration protects only that particular design,…
What are the main steps to registering a UK trademark?
Most applications follow the same path. Search the register first, including for similar names, then decide what to protect and in which classes of goods and service…
Why is a trademark worth more than a registered company name?
Companies House and the trademark register are separate systems. Registering a company stops another company incorporating under the identical name, but it does not…
How often are UK trademark applications opposed?
Formal opposition is relatively rare. Figures drawn from the public UK register, covering a settled group of 1,340,875 marks filed between 2015 and 2023, show around…
Can I track my trademark application online?
Yes. We set your application live on your Temmy portal, so you can see exactly where it is in the process in real time. If you need login details, just ask and we wi…
How can I keep my home address off the trademark register?
Our representation service, from £14 a month, includes our Care of Address. It keeps your home address off the public trademark register and cuts scam mail at source…
FAQ12 Oct 2026Can I register a trademark myself, or do I need a trademark attorney?
You can file it yourself. On the public register, self-filed applications reach registration about 84.5% of the time and attorney filings 97.0%. In 2026, 98% of our…
How do I register a trademark in the UK?
Search first, then decide what to protect and in which categories, then file with the UK Intellectual Property Office. Examination takes a couple of months, then two…
I paid someone to file my trademark and it was never submitted. What now?
More common than it should be. Check the register first, because the application may simply be pending rather than missing. If it was never filed, you need the posit…
FAQ30 Sep 2026What happens if someone copies my logo, can I sue?
Yes, potentially, but legal escalation can be expensive and should generally be treated as an enforcement step of last resort. We know that the first reaction when s…
Article28 Aug 2026The Name Was Free at Companies House. Does That Mean I Can Use It?
A Companies House check only confirms no other company holds that exact name. It does not check the trademark register. How to find out if a name is really free.
FAQ18 Aug 2026Should You Trademark a Name and Logo Separately?
Should you trademark a name and logo separately? Why a logo registration rarely protects the name inside it, what each covers, and what to protect first.
Article17 Aug 2026Can Someone Steal My Business Name?
Yes, someone can register your business name as a trademark even if you have traded for years. Here is how first-to-file works in the UK and how to protect your name.
Article28 Jul 2026Should You Trademark a Product Name as Well as Your Business Name?
Should you trademark a product name as well as your business name? What Coca-Cola's SPRICY filing shows, which names to protect and when to file in the UK.
27 Jul 2026More than a name: the story behind THE AESTHETICOLOGIST®
Some trademarks are about a business name. Some are about a product. Some are about protecting a phrase before someone else gets too close.…
Article21 Jul 2026Can You Trademark a Descriptive Name for Your Business?
Can you trademark a descriptive name? Why the IPO objects, how We Buy Any Car was registered, and three routes to protecting a name that says what you sell.
FAQ9 Jul 2026TM or ®: Which Trademark Symbol Can You Use?
Which trademark symbol can you use? ™ is fine from day one, ® only once registered. Why misusing ® is an offence under section 95 of the Trade Marks Act 1994.
FAQ6 Jul 2026Is There Trade Dress Protection in the UK?
Is there trade dress protection in the UK? Not by that name. How registered trademarks, design rights and passing off protect your get-up, shape and packaging.
News2 Jul 2026Is the UK IPO Ending Series Trademark Applications?
The UK IPO is ending the series trademark application for new filings. What was announced, when it takes effect and what it means for your logo versions.
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.
Article11 May 2026Care of Address for Trademarks: It Is Not Just Mail Forwarding
When you file a trademark, your application details will become publicly available on official trademark registers. Depending on who is applying, this will include…
1 Apr 2026Supporting Atlantic Timber’s Brand Growth and Protection
Protecting a trusted timber merchant brand as the business expands beyond its local roots For more than 40 years, Atlantic Timber has supplied timber…
Video6 Feb 20265 Trademark Myths
Learn the top 5 common trademark misconceptions that could cost you time or money, explained quickly and clearly in this short legal insight.
Video6 Feb 2026What WWE’s Raw Vault Trademark Reveals About Future Classic Content Access
Quick breakdown of WWE’s new Raw Vault trademark and what it could mean for classic wrestling content and fans, explained in under a minute.
News11 Jun 2025Why Nestlé Could Not Take a Break from Trouble When Trademarking the KitKat Shape
Nestlé wanted to protect the shape of KitKat’s, but the courts had other ideas. Even though millions do see the breakable bar with the…
Article11 Jun 2025Acquired Distinctiveness, How Can It Help You Register a Trademark?
What do American Airlines, British Airways, Holiday Inn & Vision Express all have in common? They are all descriptive names and all have trademarks.…
Article5 Jun 2025Hints, Tips and Tales #13: When a Design Trademark Is Just as Powerful as a Patent
My neighbour reminded me of something the other day that, if I’m honest, I’d completely forgotten. That moment when a design trademark can be…
News28 Mar 2025Who Can Call Themselves a Chocolate Master? Lindt’s Trademark Battle Raises Crucial Questions
The debate over who can rightfully claim industry terms as trademarks is heating up once again, this time centred around the phrase ‘Master Chocolat’.…
3 Feb 2025Why the owner of Boo Consulting has trademarked her brand
Boo Consulting Limited case study with The Trademark Helpline for WIP Day 2021
3 Feb 2025From Concept to Confidence: How Love & Logic Secured Their Brand with The Trademark Helpline
At The Trademark Helpline, our mission is simple. We protect the brands people work so hard to build. But every now and then, we…
3 Feb 2025Protecting a Motorsport Icon: How Japspeed Secured Their Brand with The Trademark Helpline
Some brands are built to race ahead. Japspeed is one of them. Known across the UK and beyond for high-performance parts, styling upgrades and…
3 Feb 2025A Trademark of Style and Substance: The London Rug Company by Dawn Ward
At The Trademark Helpline, we do more than protect brands. We help them grow, thrive and stand out. Few examples capture that spirit quite…
News17 Dec 2024Meghan Markle’s Latest Trademark Dispute: American Riviera Orchard
What’s your view on Megan and Harry? The illustrious pair Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have once again found themselves at the centre of…
News16 Dec 2024WWE Files for New Trademark: Is Classic Content Going Behind a Paywall?
If you smell what The Rock is cooking, WWE’s new strategy might just be a game-changer. Recently, WWE filed for the trademark “Raw Vault”,…
Article16 Dec 2024Milk, It’s Not a Trademark – And Would You Want It to Be?
If someone had trademarked the term “Milky Taste” 20 years ago, they’d be creaming it now (excuse the pun)! And this is why… A…
Article29 Nov 2024How Rachel Vigers and her Consultancy Rock.Partners are helping brands of all shapes and sizes realise their business goals
The brainchild of seasoned business & brand strategist, Rachel Vigers, Rock.Partners is a consultancy focused on core foundations - aka Direction, Connection, Impact &…
Article28 Aug 2024What Protection Does a Name on Companies House Provide?
As a Trademark Registrar who has been in business since 2009 it still amazes us how many times, we encounter seasoned business owners with…
Article28 Aug 2024Who are, the Intellectual Property Office?
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights in the United Kingdom. As an executive agency…
Isabel
Sameena Thompson, Director, The Art of Curry
Louise Furlow, Ghost Collective
Michael Horgan, Non Executive Director, Avant Healthcare Services
Article5 Jun 2024A Stress-Free Experience with The Trademark Helpline: Isabel’s Free From Success Story
Discover Isabel's stress-free trademark registration success with The Trademark Helpline. Experience expert guidance, seamless communication, and top-notch trademark…
News3 Jun 2024Exciting News for Taylor Swift Fans & Trademark Enthusiasts! 🚨
"Discover how Taylor Swift's 'Female Rage: The Musical' and TAS Rights Management's strategic trademark registration set a prime example for artists and businesses a…
Article24 May 2024Client Success Story: How We Protected Westtek’s Brand
Discover how our trademark services helped Westtek, a leader in cybersecurity and IT support, secure their brand through proactive trademark registration, monitoring…
Article16 Oct 202350 reasons to trademark a business
Fifty reasons why trademarks are essential for business.
News27 Sep 2021Oatly’s trademark mission continues…
Swedish oat milk brand, Oatly, are trying to claim to term 'barista'
Article10 Sep 20215 celebrities and their trademark antics
5 celebrities and their trademark antics. Discover the unforgettable antics of five celebrities that have become their trademarks.
News2 Aug 2021Lindt secures trademark status for bunny foil
Everyone’s favourite gold foil-wrapped chocolate Easter bunny won its latest legal battle on Thursday as Germany's federal court ruled its gold tone had trademark…
Article28 Jul 2021The Two Horse Brand
The story behind the Levi's trademark.
News22 Jul 2021Welsh business forced to change name
Welsh business Eryri clothing forced to change name Snowdonia clothing in trademark dispute.
News21 Jun 2021Client Case Study – Grandma’s Kitchen
The Trademark Helpline client case study on Bolton based new business Grandma's Kitchen.
Article21 Jun 20215 Interesting Trademarks
These days you can trademark just about anything, from colours to names, sounds or images. Take a look at these five quirky trademarks from…
Article19 Apr 2016Top 5 Trademark Myths
There seems to be an awful lot of confusion around Trademarks and what does and doesn’t constitute legal ownership of a name, logo, or…
Article7 Apr 2016What is a Trade Mark?
Trademarks exist to distinguish the goods and services of one trader from the goods and services of another. Simply put, a trademark is how…
FAQ24 Jul 2026How Do I Check If a Name Is Trademarked?
How to check if a name is trademarked: search the UK register and each country you trade in, look for similar names, check your logo and unregistered use.
Article23 Jul 2026Should You Check a Name Can Be Trademarked Before You Rebrand?
Why a trademark check before a rebrand saves money: how to test whether a new name or logo can be registered, and what to do before the designer starts.
Article16 Jul 2026How Should You Word a Trademark Specification?
How to word a trademark specification: clear goods and services terms, the IPO's approved wording, overbroad claims after SkyKick, and the steps to file.
Article29 Jun 2026Slogan Trademarks: Can You Trademark a Slogan or Tagline?
Can you trademark a slogan in the UK? Yes, if it is distinctive. How the IPO judges a slogan trademark, the Audi and Nestlé cases, and the steps and timings.
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Check and plan
Search the register, choose the right classes and check a name before you file.
See all guides →Manage and protect
Monitoring, renewals and representation once your trademark is registered.
See all guides →Trademark disputes
Oppositions, cancellations, cease and desist letters and online takedowns.
See all guides →The people behind the answers
Our authors
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.
Laura SpencerParalegalDrafting, filing and progressing applications.
Saad AshrafMarketing ManagerMarketing and the trademark data behind our guides.
