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Trade Mark Registration

Trade Mark Registration TRADE MARK Trade Mark Registration Trade Mark Monitoring Industrial Designs Why register your trademark? Without registration you risk: Loss of legal protection – competitors can use similar branding Losing your brand – someone else could register it first Problems with platforms like Amazon, eBay, Shopify – you can’t report counterfeits Main benefits: Full legal protection for name, logo, slogan Right to take legal action against infringement Increases brand value (licensing/selling possible) Stronger position against counterfeits Protection period and renewal A registered UK trademark in the UK is valid for 10 years from the date of filing.It can be renewed for consecutive 10-year periods with no limit on the number of renewals. Pricing: £550 – renewal in 1 class £100 – each additional class You can renew your trademark up to 6 months before its expiry date.Late renewal is possible within 6 months after expiry (additional UKIPO late fee will apply). Trademark Registration in UK Trademark registration in the United Kingdom is a key step in protecting your brand from unfair competition. If you want exclusive rights to use your company name, logo, or slogan, you should go through the registration process with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). What is a trademark and what can be registered? A trademark is a unique sign that distinguishes your products or services from those of others. In the UK, a registered trademark must be clearly defined and capable of being represented graphically. Types of trademarks that can be registered: Word marks – e.g. TESCO, Nike, Apple Logo marks – e.g. Mercedes-Benz symbol Combined marks – word + image Slogans – e.g. Just Do It Colour or colour combination – e.g. purple for Milka Product shape – e.g. Coca-Cola bottle Sound – e.g. Netflix jingle What cannot be registered: Generic or descriptive words (milk for dairy products) Misleading terms (eco for non-eco products) National emblems or flags Religious or offensive symbols A UK trademark is protected for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. Using ® and ™ symbols ™ – can be used before registration ® – can be used only after official registration in the UKIPO Misuse of ® without registration can result in a fine. Registration process in the UK Step 1 – Availability search We check whether your trademark is already registered to avoid losing the application fee. UKIPO does not refund rejected applications. Step 2 – Choosing the right classes We determine the product/service categories for your trademark (Nice Classification: 1–34 goods, 35–45 services). Step 3 – Filing the application We prepare the application including trademark description and sample (for logos – in graphic format). Step 4 – Publication and oppositions Your trademark is published in the UK Trademark Journal for 2 months. If no opposition is filed, the trademark is registered and you receive the official certificate. Fees & Timelines When applying for a UK trademark, you can choose between two application methods: 1. Standard option (one-time payment) – you pay the full fee upfront. Your application goes directly into examination by the UKIPO. If the application is refused for any reason, the entire fee is lost. This option is slightly faster as the process starts immediately after payment. 2. Right Start option (two-stage, safer) – you pay only half of the fee at the start. The UKIPO examines whether your trademark meets the registration requirements. If the examination is successful, you have 28 days to pay the remaining fee to proceed with registration. If the application is refused, you lose only the first instalment, saving you from paying the full amount for a rejected application.This option is recommended if there is any uncertainty about the mark’s registrability. Application timeline: UKIPO examination: usually within 2–3 weeks from filing. Publication period: 2 months (this is the time when third parties can oppose your application). If no opposition is filed, registration is completed and you receive the official certificate. Opposition handling: Our fee includes representation in opposition proceedings before the UKIPO if an opposition is filed during the publication stage (standard opposition process only – without additional court litigation). Standard option (one-time payment): 1 class £570 each additional Class £100 Right Start option (two-times payment): 1 class 2 x £300 each additional Class 2 x £60

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EU Representative

EU Representative UK GDPR Website Policies Full UK GDPR Documentation UK Representative EU Representative About UK GDPR – Key Facts Who it applies to? UK GDPR covers all organisations that handle personal data – from large companies to sole traders and charities.It also applies to businesses outside the UK if they offer goods or services to UK residents, even for free.If you collect information like names, emails, phone numbers, addresses, payments, or IP addresses – it applies to you. What it means to implement Implementing UK GDPR is more than just having an ICO registration.It means: Having the policies and procedures the ICO requires. Informing customers, suppliers, and staff how you use their data. Keeping data secure and training staff. Choosing partners (e.g., accountant, marketing provider) who are ICO registered and have strong data protection. Documentation External: public documents – Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Terms & Conditions. Internal: private procedures, registers, and staff training records.ICO registration alone is not enough – you need both. EU Representative Pay annually and save £229 compared to the monthly plan. £69/month OR £599/year If your business is based in the UK (or outside the European Union) but operates in the EU market – for example, selling to EU customers, providing services, or collecting personal data from people in the EU – the EU GDPR requires you to appoint an EU Representative. It makes no difference whether your products or services are paid or offered for free – the obligation still applies. Our service provides a professional, EU-based point of contact for your data protection obligations – ensuring you remain compliant and avoid significant fines. When this applies UK-based companies must appoint an EU Representative if they: Collect, store, or process personal data of people living in the EU – such as customer names, emails, payment details, or IP addresses. Sell products or services to EU residents – including free products, free trials, free apps, or memberships. Run marketing campaigns targeting EU audiences – via email, social media, ads, or other channels. Monitor the behaviour of people in the EU – through website analytics, tracking cookies, location tracking, or behavioural profiling. Operate an e-commerce site that accepts orders from the EU. Collect newsletter sign-ups or leads from people in the EU. This applies regardless of business size – from sole traders to large corporations – and also covers non-profits or charities established in the UK but engaging with the EU market. What’s included in the service Official appointment as your EU GDPR Representative under Article 27 EU GDPR. Acting as your point of contact with the relevant EU Data Protection Authorities in all EU member states where your data subjects are located. Inclusion in your privacy documentation (e.g. Privacy Policy, Privacy Notice). Maintaining your Record of Processing Activities (ROPA) in compliance with Article 30 EU GDPR. Ongoing support from our EU-based data protection team. Forwarding and coordinating all communications from EU regulators or EU data subjects. Advising you on changes in EU data protection law that may affect your business operations. Why it matters Failing to appoint an EU Representative when required can result in administrative fines of up to: €10 million or 2% of annual global turnover – whichever is higher. The EU Representative is not a Data Protection Officer (DPO) – their role is to act as your official contact point in the EU for regulators and data subjects. This role must be formally documented and made visible to the public, typically in your Privacy Policy.