Fast-track examination of trade mark applications

How much does it cost?

Fast-track examination costs an additional £300. This is on top of the standard application fee of £200 and any classes fees (£50 per class). For example, a fast-track application containing two classes will cost £550 (fast-track fee £300, application fee £200 & one additional class fee of £50).

What will I get for this extra money?

The application will be examined and the examination report sent to the applicant (or representative) within the 10 business days beginning on the first business day after the filing date of the application. Business days for the purposes of examination are Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). We will be deemed to have met our obligation on the day that the examination report is sent to the applicant (normally by e-mail or fax). For comparative purposes, standard applications currently take around 10 business days from their filing date before they are examined whereas fast-track examinations are being completed within 5 business days.

What happens if the examination report is not sent within this timeframe?

The fast-track fee (but not the application or any class fees) will be refunded.

What happens after my application has been examined?

If there are no objections to the application then it will proceed to publication in the Trade Marks Journal (for opposition purposes). If we do raise objections then you will need to correspond with us in the normal way. Although the fast-track service relates only to the examination of the application we will, nevertheless, attempt to deal with all correspondence (and any other procedural matters) as quickly as possible.

Will fast-track cases still be subject to the opposition period?

Yes, it is a statutory requirement that all applications are subjected to a 2 month opposition period before they are registered. This period may be extended to three months for any party which files and electonic form TM7a 'Notice of threatened opposition' within the initial two months.

Are there any other matters that I need to be aware of?

Yes, firstly, the application can only relate to a single trade mark and not a series of trade marks. Also, all fees must be paid, via the electronic application form, at the time the application is made; payment may be made by debit or credit card or by an appropriately funded deposit account held with us.