DEREK JACKSON ASSOCIATES

PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS

UNITED KINGDOM TRADE MARKS

A UK trade mark application is examined by the Trade Marks Registry to determine whether the mark is sufficiently distinctive (absolute grounds) and to determine whether there is any conflict with an earlier mark that has effect in the UK (relative grounds).

An application, once accepted, is published in the Trade Marks Journal and is open to opposition for a period of three months.

After the opposition period the trade mark is registered and remains in force for ten years from the date of application.

The registration can be renewed for further ten year periods as required.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

A UK trade mark registration is relatively inexpensive, but covers only the United Kingdom.  Examination for conflict with earlier marks can be looked on as either an advantage or a disadvantage.  For an applicant it can make registration more difficult, but for the owner of a registered trade mark the UK Trade Marks Registry will act as a kind of watchdog, preventing registration of subsequent conflicting marks.