Trademarks

Unlike other automatic types of intellectual property, such as copyright, you’ll need to apply for application of a trademark. There is much to consider in this process, such as the categories of the trademark that you wish to apply.

It’s also important to carry out diligent research in advance to ensure that your trademark isn’t already in use by someone else. Even if it’s not completely identical, if your trademark is too similar, you risk your application being rejected.

We can carry out all the necessary research to ensure your trademark application has the best chance of success.

What does a trade mark protect?

A trade mark can be a logo or name which distinguishes your company’s product or service from its competitors. Registering a trade mark gives you the exclusive rights to use that logo or name in your area of business.

By having a trade mark you protect your reputation, goodwill, and market position by preventing others from using similar, or even identical, trade marks.

Do I need an attorney for a trademark?

Trade mark filing can be lengthy and relatively complicated especially when it comes to trade mark classification. There are 45 classes of goods and services that you must choose from, and we have often find that registration fail because the incorrect class or classes were indicated on the application. Each class also has thousands of terms, which narrow down to the exact service or product, which you offer.

In addition to this, if you select a class on your trade mark application, then don’t use your mark for those specific goods or services within 5 years or registration, your trade mark could be challenged and possibly revoked.

A trade mark attorney will be familiar with all the classes and their terms, and will be able to advise you on which ones you should select to protect your trade mark, removing the confusion and considerably decreasing the risk of your application being rejected.

How long does a trade mark last for?

A trade mark lasts for 10 years in the UK. After the 10-year period, the trade mark needs to be renewed to extend its protection.

The trade mark process takes 4 to 6 months in the UK and upon successful registration, the registration would last for 10 years.

How much does a trademark cost UK?

Our fees depend on what you wish to register and the work involved. The UK Intellectual Property Office (‘UK IPO) fees for a single trade mark application are £170, this includes a class of goods or services, additional classes will incur a £50 fee per class by the UK IPO.

Many ask us ‘what’s different about you?’ and we like to reply, ‘because we go the extra mile’. We see our work as building and maintaining good business relationships rather than just earning fees. How we do this is by keeping in constant contact with our clients and intermediaries. From pre to post instruction we ensure that our clients are informed of all legal issues that may impact their business and therefore lives. That is why we provide daily or weekly updates to ALL of our clients whether there is anything to tell them or not (we don’t charge for this we just see it as part of our service). We like our clients to rest peacefully knowing that when we are instructed, and we say ‘we will take it from here’ they know we mean it.

The world is changing, and many individuals are realising that lifestyle is as vital to them as is income. We are the lucky ones who can hand pick lawyers who can provide the best quality advice but at outer city costs. Our offices are in North West London which may not be the most salubrious in the market but at the same time this allows us to charge our clients for what they pay for, our advice NOT our office space.

ALL our lawyers have previously worked in large city-based law firms and continue to practise and offer  the same high level service  they provided to clients in the City but without the pressure and demands often dictated by City law firm. This allows us to be competitive on our fees without compromising our service.

All in all, our clients win, which is the way we like it.

All our clients benefit from the same high level of care and attention whether the instruction is big or small. At the outset of each matter, we discuss the entire process with our clients, including the costs, potential outcomes and issues associated. This is to ensure clients are fully aware, knowledgeable and are in control always. Supporting and ensuring we provide the highest level of services, we offer our constant contact process with the partner or barrister leading  your file, a document log in for matters which are for larger and more complicated instructions and on-going support post transaction should our clients require it. Our aim is not just to get the work done, but to make our clients’ lives easier as we do it, which is why we ensure that our clients have regular access to the resources they need from us.