Copyright, Patent & Trademark Registration Fee Calculator UK 2026/27

Protecting your business brand name, logo, original invention, or industrial design in the UK is managed by the Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO).

There are four primary types of Intellectual Property (IP) Rights in the UK: Trade Marks (£170 online application fee), Patents (£310 official fees), Registered Designs (£50), and Copyright (which applies automatically for £0 fee).

⚙️ Statutory UK Intellectual Property (IP) Rules for 2026/27

1. UK Trade Marks (Brand Names & Logos)

• Filing Fee: £170.00 for an online application covering 1 Nice Class of goods or services.
• Additional Class Fee: Add +£50.00 for each additional class selected.
• Duration: A registered UK trade mark lasts 10 years and can be renewed every 10 years indefinitely (£200 renewal fee).
• Example: Registering a brand name in 2 classes (e.g. Class 25 Clothing + Class 35 Online Retail):
  • Base 1st Class Fee = £170.00.
  • 1 Additional Class = £50.00.
  • Total UK IPO Official Fee = £170 + £50 = £220.00.

2. UK Patents (Inventions & Technical Innovations)

• Filing & Application Fee: £60.00 online filing fee.
• Patent Search Fee: £150.00 (UK IPO searches prior art worldwide).
• Substantive Examination Fee: £100.00 (UK IPO examines whether the invention is novel and non-obvious).
• Total Official Statutory Patent Fees: £310.00.
• Duration: Monopoly protection for up to 20 years (annual renewal fees apply after year 4).
• Attorney Assistance: Drafting a patent specification requires a Chartered Patent Attorney (~£1,500 to £3,500+).

3. UK Registered Designs (Visual Appearance & Shapes)

• Official Fee: £50.00 for a single design applied online via the UK IPO portal.
• Multiple Designs: Add +£20.00 for each additional design included in the same application.
• Duration: Protects physical appearance for up to 25 years (renewed every 5 years).

4. UK Copyright (Written Works, Code, Music & Art)

• Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, copyright protection arises AUTOMATICALLY upon creation of original literary, artistic, musical, or software code.
• Statutory Fee: £0.00 (Free). There is no official UK government copyright register.

📊 Practical IP Registration Worked Examples

Below are two worked calculation examples illustrating IP registration costs:

📑 Common Pitfalls & IP Registration Warnings

1. Failing to Conduct a Trade Mark Clearance Search Before Filing: The UK IPO does NOT refuse a trade mark simply because an earlier conflicting mark exists. If you register a mark similar to an existing brand, the owner can file an Opposition Proceeding, forcing you to forfeit your £170 fee and pay the opponent’s legal costs. Always conduct a free UK IPO Trade Mark Search first.
2. Disclosing an Invention Publicly Before Filing a Patent: Under UK patent law, an invention MUST be secret at the filing date. Demonstrating an invention on YouTube, social media, or pitching to investors without a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) invalidates your right to a patent.
3. Assuming a UK Company House Name Gives Trade Mark Rights: Registering a company name at Companies House or buying a .co.uk domain name does NOT grant trade mark rights. Only an official UK IPO Trade Mark Registration grants exclusive legal rights to prevent brand infringement.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)