Trademark Costs UK: How Much to Protect Your Brand

How much does it cost to trademark a business name in the UK? £170 for one class of goods/services when you apply directly to the Intellectual Property Office, or £200+ via an agent. It’s cheaper than most founders expect — and far cheaper than a rebrand forced by someone else’s trademark.

I’ve spent enough time comparing trademarks across the UK to know the headline figures rarely tell the full story. Prices shift between providers, the small print hides the real cost, and what works brilliantly for a mate in Manchester might be a poor fit for a flat in London. So let’s cut through the noise and look at what actually matters. If that’s on your mind too, have a look at our guide to what is vat and when do I need to register for it — it pairs naturally with everything below.

How much does it cost to trademark a business name in the UK?

The IPO fee is £170 for a standard application covering one class, plus £50 for each additional class. Most small businesses need 1-3 classes (£170-£270 total). The trademark lasts 10 years and is renewable indefinitely — that’s £17/year for brand protection, which reframes the cost considerably.

Using a trademark attorney adds £300-£800 but buys professional searching, correct class selection and handling of objections. Worth it for valuable brands or crowded sectors; overkill for a straightforward application in an empty field. Beware unofficial ‘trademark registers’ that invoice you after applying — they’re scams, not the IPO.

Still with me? Good, because this next bit is where people usually go wrong. Worth a read alongside this: our guide to do I need a licence to sell food from home in the uk.

Do you actually need one?

Boiled down to what matters:

• Yes if: the brand is central to your business value and you’d be devastated to rebrand.
• Yes if: you’re investing in marketing, packaging or signage under the name.
• Yes if: competitors operate in your space and could copy you.
• Probably not yet if: you’re testing an idea that might pivot — trademark the final name, not the draft.
• Probably not yet if: you’re a freelancer trading under your own name with no brand investment.

A quick word from experience: don’t decide on price alone. The cheapest option has a habit of costing more in hassle, and I’ve learned that lesson the expensive way more than once.

The application process

Do it in this sequence and you won’t miss anything important:

1. Search the IPO database for existing identical/similar marks in your classes — free and essential.
2. Check Companies House too — a similar company name can still cause problems.
3. Choose your classes carefully using the IPO’s classification guidance (wrong classes = wasted fee).
4. Apply online at the IPO with your mark, classes and owner details.
5. Wait for examination (4-8 weeks) — the IPO checks for conflicts and objections.
6. If unopposed, your trademark registers. Use the ® symbol and enforce it when needed.

What a trademark actually protects

A registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use the mark for your classes across the UK, and the power to stop others — via IPO opposition, cease-and-desist letters, or court action. It’s also a business asset: it adds value if you sell, enables licensing, and lets you take down copycats on Amazon, eBay and social platforms efficiently.

What it doesn’t do: protect you internationally (that’s separate applications or the Madrid Protocol), stop all similar names (only confusingly similar ones in related classes), or matter if you never enforce it. A trademark is a tool, not a shield — register it, then actually watch for infringements. Set a Google Alert on your brand name; it’s free and surprisingly effective.

Quick answers

Is the cheapest trademarks option ever the right choice?

Sometimes — but rarely for the reasons people think. The cheapest trademarks option works fine when your needs are simple and the product is basically a commodity. It falls apart when reliability, support or longevity matter. Ask yourself one question: what’s the cost if this goes wrong? If the answer is ‘a bad afternoon’, go cheap and cheerful. If it’s ‘hundreds of pounds or weeks of hassle’, pay the middle price and sleep well.

Can I handle trademarks myself, or do I need professional help?

It depends on complexity and stakes. Straightforward trademarks tasks are well within DIY territory with a decent guide — most people manage fine and save a packet. But when money, legal compliance or safety are involved, professional help pays for itself quickly. My rule of thumb: DIY when the worst case is a wasted afternoon; call in a pro when the worst case is wasted money or a legal headache.

What should I do first if I’m completely new to trademarks?

Start with the free, reversible steps: research, compare, and get your facts straight before spending a penny or signing anything. Make a shortlist of two or three options, check recent reviews — and read the one-star ones, not just the average — and talk to someone who’s done it before you. Ten minutes of asking around beats ten hours of guessing, and it costs nothing.

Pro tip: whatever you decide about trademarks, set a calendar reminder to review it in a year’s time. Prices, products and your own needs all shift — the people who get the best value long-term are the ones who revisit decisions, not the ones who choose perfectly on day one.

What I’d actually do

£170 for one class direct with the IPO (£50 per extra class), lasting 10 years. Search first, choose classes carefully, and register before you invest heavily in branding — a forced rebrand costs 100x the trademark fee.

At the end of the day, the right choice is the one that fits your life and your budget — not the one with the flashiest advert. You’ve now got the facts; trust your judgement. One last tip from me: set a calendar reminder to revisit this in twelve months. Loyalty rarely gets rewarded in the UK market, and the best deal is almost always the one you renegotiate. For the official word, see Intellectual Property Office: trademarks. IPO trademark search is also worth a look for independent comparisons. And if you’re still weighing things up, our guide to how do I find my first clients as a new freelancer covers the next question most people ask.