Trademark Registration Costs in the UK: What to Expect and How to Save

Thinking about protecting your business name or logo with a trademark in the UK? You're not alone – more entrepreneurs than ever are investing in their brand identity. But for many business owners, one of the first questions is: how much does it cost to trademark a name? It’s a smart question. Understanding all the costs involved up front means you’re less likely to waste money, and you’ll be set up for success from the start. Let’s walk through exactly what fees and expenses are involved in registering a trademark in the UK, what makes these costs go up or down, and how you can maximise protection without breaking the bank. If you want to know what to expect from the process – and how to save money in the long run – keep reading.

Why Registering a Trademark Matters for Your Business

Your business name, logo, or slogan is at the heart of your brand’s identity. Registering these elements as trademarks doesn’t just add credibility – it gives you legal protection if someone tries to copy or misuse your brand. Trademarks are an important way to stop others from confusing your customers or trading on your reputation. But before you apply, understanding the actual cost of trade mark registration is vital. Registering a trademark can be a simple, streamlined process – or, if you’re not careful, it can become costly and time-consuming. Knowing how to budget helps you avoid unpleasant surprises and focus your resources where they matter most.

What’s Involved in Registering a Trademark?

Let’s break down what registering a trademark in the UK actually involves. Here are the key steps you’ll go through:

• Design or select your trademark: This might be your business name, logo, or any unique sign or phrase you want to protect.
• Trademark search: Before applying, it’s crucial to check for existing trademarks that are similar to yours (known as a “clearance search”) to avoid rejection or disputes.
• Choose your trademark classes: Trademarks are registered in specific categories (known as “classes”) that group similar products or services.
• Complete and submit your application: You fill in the online form with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO), including your trademark details and chosen classes.
• Pay the application fee: You’ll need to pay the relevant fees (see below for exact prices and options).
• Examination: The UK IPO examines your application to check for compliance and any potential conflicts.
• Publication and opposition: If your application passes examination, it’s published in the Trade Marks Journal. Third parties have two months to oppose it.
• Registration: If nobody objects (or you successfully resolve objections), your trademark is registered and you receive a certificate.

It’s also worth being aware that if your application hits snags (like objections from the IPO or third-party oppositions), your costs can increase, especially if you need legal help to resolve issues.

How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Name?

Here’s the part you’re probably most curious about – the trademark cost. Let’s look at the fees you’ll need to pay the UK IPO, plus any extra costs you might face.

UK IPO Trademark Application Fees (2024)

• Standard Online Application: £170 for one class, plus £50 for each additional class.
• Right Start Application: £100 for the initial check (plus £50 for each extra class), then a second payment of £100 (+£50 per extra class) if you decide to proceed. This staged option lets you test if your application is likely to succeed before committing to the full price.
• Series Application: (For when you want to register a series of similar marks, e.g. similar logos): £50 extra per series for up to six versions.
• Paper Application: £200 for one class, plus £50 for each extra class (online is faster and cheaper for most applicants).

Example: Registering your business name in two classes (most common scenario): Standard application: £170 (first class) + £50 (second class) = £220 total.

Other Costs to Consider

• Trademark clearance search: (Optional but highly recommended) From £0 if you DIY, to £150–£300+ for a professional search, which can help spot conflicts before you file.
• Professional advice or legal help: If you get legal support to prepare your application, fees can start from around £300–£600 for straightforward cases. If complications arise (e.g. objections, oppositions, international registrations), fees will increase.
• Additional fees: Fees for addressing objections, opposing third-party marks, responding to oppositions, or extending classes/services at a later date all add up. Expert help is essential in these trickier situations.
• Renewal fee (every 10 years): £200 (plus £50 for each additional class) to keep your trademark registered and protected beyond the initial period.

The true price to trademark a name can therefore be anything from under £200 (for a single-class, well-prepared DIY application) to £1,000+ when you factor in professional support, multiple classes, or contested registrations. The more complicated the situation, the higher your costs are likely to be.

What Makes Trademark Registration More Expensive?

The main factors that push the cost of registering a trademark upward are:

• Number of classes: Each additional class adds £50 (and extra complexity). It’s important to only select classes genuinely relevant to your business.
• Complex or non-distinctive marks: If your name/logo is similar to existing marks or is generic/descriptive, it may face objections, requiring extra evidence or arguments (and potentially more legal fees).
• Objections and oppositions: If the IPO or a third party objects to your application, you may need professional support to respond (often billed hourly or as a fixed fee for advice or drafting responses).
• Series/tricky applications: Applying to register a “series” of marks, protecting international versions, or adding lots of classes/scenarios will all increase your outlay.
• International protection: UK registration covers the UK only. If you want EU or global protection, you’ll face additional fees and legal steps (see our Trademark Registration in UK and EU guide for more).

Being aware of these factors – and planning for them – is the best way to avoid surprise bills down the line.

How Does Trademarking Compare to Other IP Protection?

If you’re new to intellectual property, you might wonder how trade mark costs line up with other forms of protection. Here’s a quick side-by-side:

• Copyright: (Applies automatically to original works like text, music, art) – No registration fee needed, but enforcing rights can sometimes be trickier without registration.
• Patents: (For inventions and technical solutions) – Application fees start at £60-£100, but total costs can rise to the thousands with legal drafting, examination, and renewals.
• Design Rights: (For protecting product shapes or appearances) – Registration from £50+ per design.

Trademarks are generally the IP protection of choice for brand names, logos, and slogans. Compared to patents, they are usually more affordable for early-stage businesses – and the process is much quicker and easier to understand.

How Can I Save Money on Trademark Registration?

Trademark costs can add up fast if you’re not careful, but a few smart moves can help you protect your brand while sticking to your budget:

• Do your research first: Search the UK IPO database (free online) to see if your mark is unique. Avoid names/logos that are too similar to existing trademarks. → Learn more in our guide: How Do I Protect My Intellectual Property?
• Pick the right number of classes: Only apply for classes that you actually use for your business. Don’t pay for coverage you don’t need now – you can always add classes later as you grow.
• Opt for Right Start applications: The “Right Start” scheme lets you test if your mark is likely to succeed before paying the full fee. This is a great risk management tool for new businesses.
• Get your application right the first time: Simple mistakes can result in lost fees or wasted effort. Read the UK IPO guidance carefully, and if you’re unsure, consider professional advice.
• Consider professional legal help for complex cases: If your mark is non-standard, or you expect competition or objections, legal support could save you a lot by avoiding wasted application fees or costly delays. Find out how lawyers can help here.
• Review your brand strategy: If you're rebranding or launching a new product, plan your trademark registration to align with your wider business goals to avoid reapplying or missing protection where you need it most.

Getting it right early is almost always less expensive than cleaning up problems later on.

Do I Need a Lawyer To Register a Trademark?

You don't have to use a solicitor to apply for a UK trademark, and many small business owners do the application themselves using the UK IPO website. But there are some risks if you go it alone, including:

• Choosing the wrong classes, leading to incomplete protection (or extra costs correcting issues later)
• Submitting a mark that’s too similar to others, which could result in lost fees if the application fails or is opposed
• Missing out on the strength and enforceability of your trademark because of poorly drafted applications or paperwork

If your brand is central to your business, or if you’re dealing with a wider business plan (e.g., international markets, franchising, equity investment), seeking experienced legal help is a wise investment. An expert can help you:

• Conduct a professional clearance search to avoid conflict
• Draft your application for maximum protection
• Respond to any official objections or challenges
• Advise on brand strategy and international registration

The cost for this advice or assistance is typically small compared to the money/stress it can save you if things get tricky. Remember, costs for legal advice are likely to increase if you leave issues until after you’ve already submitted a problematic application. Need help? Check out our fixed-fee Trademark Registration Service for tailored advice and support.

What Happens If My Application Is Opposed or Rejected?

If your application is opposed (for example, by a competing business) or rejected by the IPO, you may face extra “unexpected” costs, such as:

• Responding to objections (legal fees for preparing written arguments, supporting evidence, or attending hearings)
• Filing appeals or defending your position if a third party opposes your mark
• Having to re-apply in a different class, or with a different mark, which means paying the UK IPO's fees all over again

This is why careful planning and research can help you avoid these expensive “gotchas”. If your application hits a snag, seek expert legal advice as soon as possible – fixing a small issue early often costs less than resolving a full-blown dispute later.

How Do I Renew or Manage My Trademark Later?

Once you’ve secured your trade mark, you’re not done forever – you’ll need to pay renewal fees every 10 years (£200 per mark plus £50 per additional class). You should also keep an eye out for any new competitors, brands, or potential infringements that could affect your trademark rights. If you sell, franchise, or restructure your business, you may need to transfer or update your trademark registration. This is another area where professional guidance pays off – see our guides Changing Company Ownership and Share Buyback Agreements for more information.

Key Takeaways: Making Trademark Protection Affordable & Effective

• The basic UK trademark application fee is £170 for one class, plus £50 for each extra class (online applications – always the cheapest).
• Costs rise if you apply in multiple classes, encounter objections, need a professional search, or require legal advice for complex applications.
• Simple, well-prepared applications can cost under £200. Messy, opposed, or badly-planned filings can spiral to £1,000+.
• Save money by researching other marks, using the correct classes, and getting expert advice for anything even slightly tricky.
• Renewal is required every 10 years. Budget for ongoing IP management as your business grows.
• Think of trademark registration as an investment – getting it right from day one protects your brand and prevents expensive legal headaches later on.

Need help with trademark registration, protection, or strategy? Our expert team at Sprintlaw is here to guide you every step of the way. If you’d like tailored advice or support on trade mark registration (or any other legal questions about protecting your brand), you can reach us at 08081347754 or team@sprintlaw.co.uk for a free, no-obligations chat.