UK Trade Mark Filing Fees Are Increasing: What You Need to Know and How to Save

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has announced upcoming increases to official trade mark fees affecting new applications, renewals, oppositions, and international filings.

The key takeaway is, if you're planning to file in the UK or renew a trade mark soon, filing or renewing before the increases take effect can save hundreds of pounds-especially for multi-class applications.

This post explains what's changing, who's most affected, and what steps you should take now.

Why Is the UKIPO Increasing Fees?

The UK Intellectual Property Office cited three main reasons for fee increases:

1. Digital System Upgrades
The UKIPO is investing in modernised digital infrastructure to speed up processing and improve user experience. These upgrades require capital investment.

2. Rising Administrative and Staffing Costs
Like all organisations, the UKIPO faces inflation, wage growth, and increased operational expenses. Fee increases help offset these costs.

3. Reducing Examination Delays
Additional staff and resources funded by fee increases aim to reduce examination backlogs and speed up approvals-ultimately benefiting applicants.

The UKIPO frames this as an investment in better service, but the result is higher costs for businesses.

What's Changing: Summary of Fee Increases

New Applications

• Filing cost per class will increase

• Multi-class applications will see increases as well

• International (Madrid) designations into the UK will cost more

Renewals

• Renewal fees rise significantly, especially for multi-class marks

• Existing registrations only face fees at renewal

• Early renewal before the increase is possible in some cases

Oppositions and Disputes

• Opposition filing fees increase

• Cancellation request fees rise

• Tribunal and appeal fees also increase

Madrid Protocol Designations

• If your international registration designates the UK, fees increase

• Both new designations and subsequent designations are affected

Real-World Cost Examples:

What To Do Now

Step 1: Review Your Upcoming Renewals
Check your trade mark portfolio for renewals due in the next 12-18 months. These are candidates for early renewal before fees increase.

Step 2: Confirm Your UK Expansion Plans
Are you planning to enter the UK market? Do you need to file new applications? If yes, timeline is critical.

Step 3: Audit Your Current Protection
Does your existing UK protection cover all your goods/services? Are you missing important classes? Now is the time to add them before fees rise.

Step 4: Decide: Direct Filing vs Madrid Protocol

• Direct filing: Often cheaper for single-country UK protection

• Madrid: More efficient for multi-country filings

• Hybrid approach: Direct filing in UK + Madrid for other countries

Step 5: Request a Cost Estimate and Filing Plan From Plummark
Share your filing needs, renewal dates, and expansion plans. We'll create a cost estimate and timeline showing:

• Total cost before vs after fee increase

• Optimal filing sequence

• Recommended strategy (direct vs Madrid)

Step 6: File or Renew Before the Increase Takes Effect
Once you have a plan, act quickly. Filing early locks in current fees and ensures your applications are processed under the current system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the fee increase affect my existing UK trade mark registration?
A: Only when you renew. Existing registrations are unaffected until renewal. At renewal, the new fee structure applies. To avoid higher fees, renew early-before the increase takes effect.

Q: Do Madrid Protocol filings increase too?
A: Yes. If your international (Madrid) registration designates the UK, you'll pay higher fees. Both initial designations and subsequent designations into the UK are affected.

Q: Does this impact EU trade marks?
A: No. EU trade marks (EUTM) are administered by EUIPO, not UKIPO. The fee increase only affects UK national registrations (filed directly with UKIPO or via the Madrid Protocol).

Q: Should I file directly in the UK or use Madrid Protocol?
A: It depends:

• Direct filing: Better for single-country UK protection only

• Madrid: Better if you need UK + other countries (cost-effective at scale)

• Hybrid: File UK directly, use Madrid for other markets

Q: Can I renew my trade mark early to avoid the fee increase?
A: In many cases, yes. Some IP offices allow early renewal up to six months before expiry. Check with UKIPO or consult Plummark for your specific mark.

Q: What's the difference between a new filing fee and a renewal fee?
A: New filings = applying for a trade mark for the first time. Renewals = extending protection on an existing registered mark (every 10 years). Both are affected by the increase.

Q: If I file before the increase, do I get the old fee?
A: Yes. Filing before the effective date of the increase locks you into current fees. This applies to new applications and early renewals.

Q: Should I file multiple applications now to avoid future increases?
A: Only if you genuinely intend to use those marks in the UK. Filing speculatively wastes money and creates unused assets. File strategically aligned with your actual business needs.

Don't let fee increases catch you off guard. If you're planning a UK filing or have a renewal coming up;

Contact us with your trade mark details, and we'll show you exactly how much you can save by acting now and create a filing plan that protects your brand while keeping costs under control.