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Common Trade Mark Refusal Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Common Trade Mark Refusal Reasons and How to Avoid Them
13 Aug 2025
Why Do Trade Mark Applications Get Refused?
Trade mark refusals can delay or prevent you from protecting your brand, which can be costly and frustrating. Understanding the common reasons for refusal helps you prepare a stronger and more successful trade mark application across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Top Reasons for Trade Mark Refusals in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK
1. Lack of Distinctiveness
If your trade mark is too generic, descriptive, or similar to common terms, it may be refused because it doesn’t clearly distinguish your goods or services from others in the market.
2. Conflicts with Existing Trade Marks
If your trade mark is identical or confusingly similar to an already registered or pending trade mark in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK, it can be refused to prevent consumer confusion.
3. Failure to Properly Specify Goods and Services
Incorrect or overly broad descriptions of your goods or services can cause refusal. Clear and accurate classification within the official goods and services lists used by IP Australia, IPONZ, and the UKIPO is essential.
What Happens If Your Application Is Refused?
If your application is refused, you’ll receive an official examination report outlining the reasons. You can usually respond with written arguments or amendments to address the examiner’s concerns within the given timeframe.
Get It Right with Our Integrated Goods and Services List
Our online trade mark platform is fully integrated with the official goods and services lists from IP Australia, IPONZ (New Zealand), and the UKIPO, based on the Nice Classification system. This makes selecting the correct classifications and descriptions straightforward and accurate—helping reduce the risk of refusals due to specification issues.
Start your trade mark application with Plummark today and protect your brand with confidence across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Why Do Trade Mark Applications Get Refused?
Trade mark refusals can delay or prevent you from protecting your brand, which can be costly and frustrating. Understanding the common reasons for refusal helps you prepare a stronger and more successful trade mark application across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
Top Reasons for Trade Mark Refusals in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK
1. Lack of Distinctiveness
If your trade mark is too generic, descriptive, or similar to common terms, it may be refused because it doesn’t clearly distinguish your goods or services from others in the market.
2. Conflicts with Existing Trade Marks
If your trade mark is identical or confusingly similar to an already registered or pending trade mark in Australia, New Zealand, or the UK, it can be refused to prevent consumer confusion.
3. Failure to Properly Specify Goods and Services
Incorrect or overly broad descriptions of your goods or services can cause refusal. Clear and accurate classification within the official goods and services lists used by IP Australia, IPONZ, and the UKIPO is essential.
What Happens If Your Application Is Refused?
If your application is refused, you’ll receive an official examination report outlining the reasons. You can usually respond with written arguments or amendments to address the examiner’s concerns within the given timeframe.
Get It Right with Our Integrated Goods and Services List
Our online trade mark platform is fully integrated with the official goods and services lists from IP Australia, IPONZ (New Zealand), and the UKIPO, based on the Nice Classification system. This makes selecting the correct classifications and descriptions straightforward and accurate—helping reduce the risk of refusals due to specification issues.
Start your trade mark application with Plummark today and protect your brand with confidence across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.