Two Weeks Left: The Trade Mark Window Is Closing
Posted on in Intellectual Property
The clock is ticking. On 1 April 2026, the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) will increase its fees for trade marks, patents and designs by an average of 25% - the first rise in trade mark fees since 1998. That is nearly three decades of frozen fees, so this is the last window of opportunity to defrost your branding plans and warm them up before this chance melts for good.
Whether you have been meaning to file a new trade mark, renew an existing one, or review your brand portfolio, the window to act at the current rates is closing fast. The good news is that there is still time to take meaningful steps. This insight sets out exactly what you can still do before 31 March 2026 and why acting now is not only sensible, but financially smart.
What is changing and why does it matter?
The IPO has confirmed that fees will increase across the board. For trade marks specifically, the key changes are:
- Filing a new trade mark application online in one class: £170 rising to £205
- Additional classes per application: £50 rising to £60
- Renewing a trade mark registration (one class): £200 rising to £245
These increases apply to applications submitted and fees paid on or after 1 April 2026.
Critically, simply saving a draft or using the ‘save for later’ function does not count as submission, as the application must be formally filed and paid to lock in the current rate.
Planning around them is not optional — it is part of a good IP strategy.
Questions to consider before 1 April 2026
In our experience, many organisations are leaving money on the table simply because they have not paused to review their position, and we understand that. Spending time trying to navigate the intricacies of trade mark law takes up your time and diverts your focus from organisational matters. Here are the questions we would encourage every brand owner to consider before the deadline:
1. Do I have unregistered brand assets that should be protected?
If you have a trading name, logo, slogan or new product name that you have not yet filed as a trade mark, filing before 1 April 2026 will save you money and, more importantly, it will start your clock for protection. Trade marks gain legal protection from the date of filing, meaning an earlier filing date also means earlier priority against any future conflicts.
As I set out in our insight, Can Filing a Trade Mark Before 1 April Save You Money?, the answer for most businesses is a straightforward “yes”.
If you delay filing, not only will the costs of registration rise, but so will the risk (and associated costs) of somebody registering something before you.
2. Do I have trade marks due for renewal before October 2026?
Trade marks can be renewed up to six months before their expiry date. This means that if your mark is due to expire any time up to and including 30 September 2026, you can renew it now at the current, lower rate. Across a portfolio of several marks, this saving can be considerable.
3. Are there gaps in my class coverage?
Trade marks are registered for specific classes of goods and services. If your business has grown or diversified since you first filed, there may be areas of activity you have left unprotected. Filing additional applications before 1 April 2026 locks in the lower fees, as an additional £10 fee for each class does add up quickly.
4. Could I save more by filing strategically?
The way you structure a trade mark application can make a significant difference to cost. Choosing the right classes, combining word marks and logo marks where appropriate, and timing filings correctly all matter. We can assist with your trade mark portfolio management and strategy, helping you avoid the common pitfalls.
Why Tozers?
Our specialist IP sub-team approaches trade mark work not just as a legal formality but as a strategic exercise. We take time to understand your commercial landscape, identify vulnerabilities, and make sure your IP portfolio is working as hard as your organisation.
At Tozers, we include preliminary clearance searches as standard in our fixed fee trade mark application service. We do not simply file and hope. We also believe that disputes should be settled, not fought, where avoidable, and where they cannot be avoided, we pursue them with precision. Our track record of resolving matters swiftly and cost-effectively speaks for itself. You can read more about our approach to disputes in Disputes Settled, Not Fought: 4 Ways We Avoided Court for Our Clients.
Summary
With less than two weeks until the fee increase takes effect, there is still time to act.
The 25% increase will not be the last word on IP costs. Fees will only move in one direction. A trade mark filed or renewed today is an investment in your brand's legal infrastructure at the most cost-effective rate you will see for some time.
The benefits of acting quickly
“Tozers' advice was spot on. Their initial guidance wasn't what I expected; it wasn't the way I was thinking. The communication was very good, even late in the evening. I would definitely use Tozers again — I'll be straight on the phone.” — Client, automotive products business
This client came to us in urgent circumstances – registration of their IP rights had been overlooked, but we were able to secure a resolution within five weeks. You can read the full story here.
The lesson is consistent: the clients who fare best are those who take protective steps before a dispute forces their hand. Registering a trade mark before fees rise is one of the lowest-cost, highest-return actions a business can take.
Talk to us before 1 April 2026
If you are not sure where to start, start with a conversation. We offer clear, straightforward advice under a fixed fee retainer on what your brand needs and how to protect it – without jargon and without unnecessary cost.