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.
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.
What is acquired distinctiveness?
Acquired distinctiveness arises where a mark that may originally have been descriptive becomes registrable because, through long and consistent use, consumers associ…
Can a descriptive brand become registrable over time?
In some circumstances, yes. If a brand has been used extensively and has built recognition in the marketplace, it may acquire distinctiveness. This is not automatic…
What is a trademark clearance audit?
A trademark clearance audit is a structured review carried out before filing. It goes beyond a basic register search and can include checks of overseas trademarks, domain name…
What does a trademark clearance audit include?
An audit typically reviews UK and relevant overseas registers, assesses class overlap, considers potential marketplace and domain conflicts and evaluates commercial…
Why should I carry out an audit before filing?
An audit reduces the likelihood of avoidable objections or opposition. It allows you to assess risk before investing in official fees and branding. Many examination…
Do I need a consultation before applying?
You are not required to have a consultation before filing. However, many clients find that a short discussion over the phone or on teams, provides clarity and preven…
Do you offer a free trademark consultation?
Yes. We offer a free initial consultation to understand your circumstances and outline appropriate next steps. The purpose is to provide clarity on the trademark pro…
What does a trademark clearance audit check beyond the trademark register?
A clearance audit goes further than a basic search. Alongside worldwide trademark registers, we check social media platforms for use of your name or logo, domain nam…
How much does a trademark clearance audit cost?
Our clearance audits start from £99. If you go ahead with the trademark registration through us, the full cost of the audit is deducted from your application fees. T…
What happens if the audit suggests not filing the trademark?
If you decide not to proceed after reviewing the results, we offer a second full brand audit on a different brand, free of charge. That gives you the chance to test…
FAQ10 Oct 2026What are trademark classes, and which one(s) do I actually need?
Trademark classes are the 45 categories your trademark covers. Why the terms you claim matter, and how to choose classes that fit the business you are building.
Why should I run a trademark search first?
Honestly, it's the cheapest way to avoid a very expensive mistake. If you spot an existing or similar name before you invest, you can change direction early, rather…
What does a free trademark search actually tell me?
It's an initial screening of the UK Intellectual Property Office register. It brings up the most obvious identical or similar names, so you get a quick, early sense…
What are trademark classes?
Classes set out the goods and services your mark covers. There are 45 in the UK, each with plenty of terms. Two identical names can often sit happily in different cl…
If my trademark search is clear, am I okay to apply for a trademark?
If you're on a budget, it's certainly better than doing nothing. But it's only the first step, not a full trademark clearance audit. We always recommend comprehensive Audit an…
Is a free search the same as a full trademark clearance audit?
Not quite. The free search picks up obvious issues on the UK register. A brand audit goes much wider, covering international registers, Companies House, domains and…
What happens if you spot a potential conflict?
Try not to worry. A similar name isn't automatically a problem. We'll help you work out whether it's a genuine conflict, and where it's appropriate, we can look at a…
FAQ25 Sep 2026Can I use a business name that isn’t trademarked, or one that’s already taken?
The question is not simply whether you can use the name, it is whether you should. Companies House will not normally incorporate a company using the same name as one…
FAQ10 Oct 2026Is my business name too similar to one that already exists, could I be infringing?
Could your business name infringe an existing brand? How similarity is judged, why a clear Companies House check is not enough, and how to check first.
FAQ25 Sep 2026Can I just copyright my business name instead?
Copyright does not normally protect a business name in the UK. See what copyright covers, what a trademark protects and which protection fits your brand.
FAQ25 Sep 2026What would it cost me to rebrand if I am forced to change my name?
There is no standard cost for a forced rebrand. See what a name change really touches, from stock to search visibility, and how TMH reduces the risk.
FAQ15 Sep 2026Can You See What Trademarks Your Competitors Are Filing?
Yes. How a competitor trademark search works on the UK register, what new filings reveal and hide, and how monitoring keeps watch for you from £14 a month.
FAQ3 Jul 2026Should You Renew Your Trademark or File a New Application?
Should you renew your trademark or file a new application? Why the answer is usually both, what renewal costs, and when refiling helps or backfires.
Browse by topic
Trademark advice by topic
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.
