Should you apply
Before making your application, read our booklets, Trade
marks essential reading 
(1.79Mb) and Applying to register
a trade mark (1.84Mb) and ask yourself the following questions:
Are you aware of the requirements for trade mark registration?
You have to meet our requirements before we register your trade mark.
Is your trade mark already registered?
You can check to see whether your proposed application is already registered.
Are you aware of the different kinds of marks?
Trade marks make up the majority of the marks accepted by the Registrar. However, there are also special marks to indicate particular standards for goods or that the owner of the mark is a member of an organisation.
Is your company name registered with Companies House?
Registering a company name at Companies House does not mean we will automatically accept that name as a trade mark.
Are you the owner of your trade mark?
You may think you are the owner but are you really?
Have you received enough advice?
You can get confidential advice about your proposed application from us and others.
Have you considered protection abroad?
A UK trade mark will only give protection in the UK. Check out the alternatives if you are thinking of protection abroad.
If you have answered yes to all of the above questions then continue to Costs and timeline.
