1. Trademark search

In order to avoid wasted efforts during the trademark application process, trademark search is a necessary step before applying for a British trademark.

UK trademark searches generally yield two results:

(1) Whether the applied for trademark is duplicated or similar to others;

(2) Whether the applied trademark complies with government standards for trademark laws.

2. Submit the application

Fill in the relevant application form, sign and seal it, and submit all the prepared application materials to the British Trademark Office for processing.

Note that when applying for a trademark, you must determine the trademark registration category. When selecting a category, in addition to choosing the category for your own business, you can also choose some related categories to prevent others from using other categories to infringe on your intellectual property rights. Of course, some people register all categories. Generally speaking, according to international standards, trademarks are divided into 45 categories.

3. Formal review

After receiving the applicant’s information, the British Trademark Office will first review whether the information for the registered trademark applied for is complete, and if so, it will issue a trademark acceptance notice.

4. Substantive examination

The examiner will conduct a similar search for the meaning and graphics of the trademark; examine whether the trademark is distinctive; and whether the trademark complies with local legal requirements.

If the trademark under review does not meet the requirements, the application for trademark registration will be rejected, and the applicant needs to conduct a rejection review.

5. Announcement

After the application for registered trademark passes the review, it will be announced. The announcement period is 3 months, and anyone can raise objections during this period.

If there is an objection, the applicant needs to file an objection reply.

6. Complete the registration

If there is no objection during the trademark announcement period, the British trademark registration will be successful and the trademark registration certificate will be obtained.