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.
News11 Jun 2025Trademarking Shapes? – Toblerone’s Triangular Triumph: How a Chocolate Shape Made Trademark History
Let’s be honest, when you think of Toblerone, you aren’t thinking about nougat, you probably are thinking about chocolate BUT you are definitely thinking…
News15 Jul 2026Trademark Decisions Are Business Risk Decisions: Lessons from 4,176 UK Registrations
After 4,176 UK registrations, one lesson stands out: the best trademark strategy starts with the cost of failure, not the cost of filing. Here is why.
News14 Jul 2026First to File vs First to Use: The Question Every Brand Owner Should Ask After Anthropic v Abnormal AI
Anthropic filed eight months after Abnormal AI and is now fighting for its name in court. Why first to file beats first to use, and how to protect your brand.
News23 Jun 2026AI and Trademarks: A Brilliant Assistant, but a Poor Researcher
One of my team recently flagged something to a local business, a genuinely successful brand, that they were trading with no trademark at all.…
News11 Jun 2025Cadbury’s Purple Battle: When Colour Alone Is Not Enough
Explore Cadbury’s legal battle to trademark the colour purple. Learn why colour alone isn't always enough for trademark protection in the UK.
News19 Dec 2024How The Trademark Helpline is Adapting to the Latest Trademark High Court Ruling
Since 2008, The Trademark Helpline has been committed to ensuring our clients get their trademark applications right the first time. Our Trademark Clearance Audit Service…
News9 Jul 2021Archewell hits bump over trademark terms
The latest about the Sussex's Archewell trademark application.
News2 Jun 2021A Tesla burger whilst you wait for your car to charge?
Tesla has just applied for three trademarks with the US Patent Office, under the categories for Restaurant services, pop-up restaurant services, self-service restaur…
News26 May 2021Samsung excites tech world with latest trademark filings.
South Korean electronics company Samsung have excited the tech world this week after two trademark filings were spotted for ‘Z Roll’ and ‘Z Slide’.
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…
News17 Sep 2026Can You Sue Someone for Copying Your Brand? What Louboutin v YSL Actually Decided
If someone copies your brand, can you actually sue? What Louboutin’s red sole case decided, what a registration really gives you, and when it won’t be enough.
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.
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.
News1 Jul 2026Should You Trademark Your Company Name? The Lesson Behind the “1587 Prime” Steakhouse Dispute
Mahomes and Kelce's 1587 Prime steakhouse is being sued over its name. Here's what the dispute teaches every business owner about clearing a name first.
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.
News24 Jun 2026Can You Still Use Your Own Name Once You’ve Sold the Brand? The Jo Malone Dispute
Can you still use your own name once you have sold the brand? It sounds like an odd question, but Jo Malone is facing…
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 2024The Supreme Court Ruling: A Game Changer for Overly Broad Trademark Filings
In December 2024, the UK Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling in the SkyKick v Sky case [2024] UKSC 36, fundamentally reshaping the landscape…
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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.
