Trade Mark Registration UK (Protect Your Brand Name & Logo)

Your brand is one of your most valuable business assets. But in the UK, using a name or logo doesn’t automatically mean you “own” it. Without a registered trade mark, it can be harder to stop copycats, protect your reputation, or build long-term brand value.

Audit Consulting Group (ACG) provides Trade Mark Registration support in the UK to help you protect your business name, logo, slogan, or product brand with a clear, professional, and practical process—written in simple words and focused on real business outcomes.

Whether you’re launching a new brand, rebranding, expanding into new services, or building a product line, trade mark registration helps you secure your position and reduce risk.

UK Trade Mark Registration Services for Businesses

A UK trade mark is a legal right that helps protect your brand identity. It can cover:

• Your business name (word mark)
• Your logo (figurative mark)
• A slogan or tagline
• Product names and brand sub-lines

If your trade mark is registered, you may be able to:

• stop others using a similar name or logo in your market,
• protect your brand from confusion,
• strengthen your position in disputes,
• increase business value (useful for partners, investors, franchising, and resale),
• improve confidence when expanding into new products or services.

Just as importantly: registering early helps prevent the painful situation where you build a brand—then later discover someone else already has rights that block you.

Why Trade Mark Registration Matters in the UK

Many UK businesses only think about trade marks after a problem happens:

• A competitor starts using a similar name
• Social media usernames or domains are copied
• A marketplace listing is taken down due to a complaint
• A partner asks for proof of brand protection
• A rebrand becomes necessary because the name is too risky

Trade marks don’t just protect “big brands”. They protect:

• startups,
• ecommerce sellers,
• consultants and agencies,
• tradespeople and local businesses,
• software and digital services,
• food, retail, and hospitality brands,
• any business building long-term trust.

If your brand is part of how you win customers, trade mark registration is a smart investment.

Trade Mark Registration UK: What You Can Register

Register a Business Name as a Trade Mark (Word Mark)

A word mark protects the name itself (regardless of font or design). This is often the most versatile and valuable protection.

Register a Logo Trade Mark

A logo trade mark protects a specific design. This can be useful if the logo is distinctive and you use it consistently.

Register a Slogan or Tagline

If your slogan is unique and clearly linked to your business, it may be suitable.

Register Product or Service Names

If you sell multiple products or run multiple services under sub-brands, protecting key names can help you expand safely.

Trade Mark Classes UK (Why Class Selection Is So Important)

Trade marks are registered in “classes” (categories of goods and services). Choosing the correct classes is one of the most common areas where businesses make mistakes.

If you choose classes that are too narrow:

• you may not be protected where you actually operate.

If you choose classes that are too broad:

• you can increase risk of objection, opposition, or wasted fees.

The UK official filing fee is £170 for one class, plus £50 for each additional class for a standard application.

That means class choice isn’t just legal—it affects cost, risk, and the strength of your protection.

ACG helps you choose classes that fit what you do today and support realistic growth plans.

Common Reasons UK Trade Mark Applications Fail or Get Delayed

Even genuine businesses get refused or delayed because of avoidable issues:

The mark isn’t distinctive enough

Generic or descriptive names often face objections.

The classes don’t match the business

Authorities may question unclear or inconsistent specifications.

There’s a conflict with an existing trade mark

Similar names in similar classes can trigger opposition or refusal.

The business files the wrong type of mark

Some brands are better protected as a word mark, others as a logo mark, sometimes both.

The description/specification is poorly drafted

This is where many applications become weak—either too vague or too broad.

The business doesn’t respond well to objections or oppositions

Clear, structured replies matter.

ACG’s process reduces these risks by preparing a well-positioned application from the start.

What Audit Consulting Group Does for Trade Mark Registration

Our Trade Mark Registration support is designed to be practical and business-focused.

Trade mark suitability review

We review your brand name/logo and highlight any obvious risks (for example, if it looks too descriptive or too similar to common market terms).

Trade mark search and conflict checks

We help you identify whether there are existing marks that may conflict with yours, so you can avoid expensive mistakes.

Class selection and specification drafting

We help you select suitable classes and write a clear description that reflects what you do—without overreaching.

Filing support and quality control

We help you prepare a clean, consistent application, reducing delays caused by avoidable errors.

Handling follow-up questions (where needed)

If you receive questions, objections, or requests for clarification, we help you respond clearly and professionally.

Trade Mark Registration UK: Our Step-by-Step Process

1) Quick discovery (what you want to protect)

We confirm:

• what you want to register (name, logo, slogan),
• how you use it,
• where you trade,
• what you plan to offer next.

2) Search and risk review

We check for potential conflicts and explain risk clearly.

3) Classes and specification

We align your protection with your real business activity and realistic growth path.

4) Application preparation and filing guidance

We ensure wording consistency and correct structure, and guide you through filing.

5) Post-filing support (if needed)

If the IPO requests changes or a third party raises issues, we help you respond.

Trade Mark Protection for UK Startups and Growing Businesses

Trade mark registration becomes especially important when you are:

Launching a new brand

Registering early can prevent expensive rebrands later.

Scaling ecommerce

Marketplaces and platforms often take brand protection seriously. Registration can strengthen your position if disputes happen.

Franchising or licensing your brand

Trade marks are a foundation for licensing and commercial expansion.

Working with investors or buyers

Brand assets increase business value. A registered mark can be seen as a clear asset.

Expanding to new services

If you add new service lines, you may need additional classes or separate filings.

ACG helps you plan trade mark protection that fits how you actually grow—not just how you look today.

Trade Mark Registration vs Company Name: A Common UK Confusion

Many business owners assume that registering a company at Companies House protects the name. In reality, company registration is not the same as trade mark protection.

A trade mark is designed specifically to protect brand identity in the market and help you enforce your rights.

If your brand matters to your sales, marketing, and reputation, trade mark protection is the correct tool.

Case Studies: How Trade Mark Registration Support Helps 

Case Study 1: Startup brand launching fast

Problem: Founder planned a launch but wasn’t sure if the brand name was safe.
ACG support: Search and risk review, class strategy, filing-ready specification.
Outcome: Confident launch with reduced risk of later conflict.

Case Study 2: Ecommerce seller facing copycats

Problem: Similar listings appeared using confusing branding.
ACG support: Helped secure proper registration strategy and improve brand protection readiness.
Outcome: Stronger position for future enforcement and platform discussions.

Case Study 3: Agency building a premium service brand

Problem: The agency was investing heavily in marketing and wanted protection before scaling.
ACG support: Class selection aligned to services + expansion plans.
Outcome: Protection structured for growth, not just current services.

Case Study 4: Rebrand after conflict risk

Problem: Search revealed high conflict risk with a similar mark.
ACG support: Helped assess alternatives and build a safer brand protection plan.
Outcome: Avoided costly dispute and protected a stronger, more distinctive brand.

What You Should Prepare Before Starting

To move quickly, it helps if you can share:

• the brand name (and logo file if applicable),
• your website or draft landing page,
• a list of goods/services you offer,
• where customers are based,
• any future expansion plans (next 12–24 months),
• any similar names you’ve seen in the market.

If you don’t have everything yet, that’s fine—ACG can guide you step-by-step.

FAQ: Trade Mark Registration UK

How much is the UKIPO trade mark filing fee?

For a standard UK application, it’s £170 for one class and £50 for each extra class. GOV.UK

Is it better to register the name or the logo?

Often, registering the name (word mark) provides broader protection. A logo can be useful too. Many businesses eventually protect both, depending on budget and strategy.

How long does trade mark registration take in the UK?

It depends on objections or oppositions. Straightforward applications can move smoothly, while objections or disputes can extend timelines. (We’ll explain what to expect based on your specific case.)

What if someone opposes my trade mark?

Oppositions happen when someone believes your mark conflicts with theirs. If it happens, you’ll need a clear response strategy.

Can I trade while the application is in progress?

Many businesses trade while their application is pending, but risk depends on whether there are likely conflicts. A search and risk review helps you decide safely.

Will a trade mark protect my domain name and social handles?

A trade mark can strengthen your position, but domains and handles are managed separately. Registration helps when disputes arise, but it’s not an automatic transfer.

What’s the biggest mistake businesses make?

Choosing the wrong classes or filing a mark that’s too descriptive—both can lead to weak protection or refusal.

Do I need a trade mark if I’m a small business?

If your brand matters to your customers and growth, trade mark protection is worth considering—especially before you invest heavily in marketing.

Ready to Protect Your Brand?

If you want to secure your business name, logo, or product brand in the UK, Audit Consulting Group can help you register your trade mark with confidence and clarity.

Contact Audit Consulting Group

Phone: +44 7386 212550
Email: info@auditconsultinggroup.co.uk

Get in touch today—tell us what you want to protect and what you sell, and we’ll guide you through the smartest next steps.