Cheaper, easier trade marks help protect business assets

Today sees the introduction of a 15 per cent reduction in fees for trade mark applications filed electronically and a new application process to help business protect their business assets.

These new initiatives developed by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), will make it cheaper and easier for business to realise the benefit of trade mark registration and allow them to grow and strengthen their enterprise.

The new initiatives are:

• Right Start - an on-line trade mark application service. For an initial payment of £100, half the standard application fee, customers will be able to see their examination report before deciding to proceed with the application and paying the remainder of the fees due. Trade mark examiners are on hand to offer assistance throughout the process.
• Reduced fees for Electronic Filing - a 15% (£30) reduction in fees for e-filed trade marks where the full discounted fee is paid at the time of filing.

David Lammy, Minister of State for Intellectual Property, said:

"The new Right Start service and E-filing discounts for trade marks, adds to the increasing level of support the IPO is giving businesses wishing to manage their intellectual property.

“Trade marks enable businesses to protect and profit from the brand identity they have carefully crafted. By taking the step of registering trade marks, businesses are making a small investment in their brand that can have larger positive commercial results in the future.

“The initiatives will make it cheaper and easier for businesses to register trade marks and to obtain these benefits.”

Notes to editors

• The Intellectual Property Office is within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and is responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
• Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the foundation of the knowledge based economy.
• It operates in a national and an international environment and its work is governed by national and international law, including various international treaties relating to IP to which the United Kingdom is a party.
• In July the IPO published its response (211Kb) to the ‘Helping Businesses Register Trade Marks and Patents’ consultation (1.52Mb) paper. This detailed a number of services aimed at strengthening business competiveness throughout the UK
• Intellectual Property Office is implementing the following set of services and/or changes today;
  
  i) For series of trade marks, the Intellectual Property Office will introduce a fee supplement of £50 for each mark in a series beyond the first two rather than abolish series marks;
  
  ii) Intellectual Property Office will allow suspension of the fast-track service rather than abolish it;
  
  iii) The proposed reduction of the opposition fee from £200 to £100 was opposed on the grounds that it would encourage vexatious oppositions and will not be taken forward;
  
  iv) Introduction of a fee for extending the cooling off period was opposed on the grounds that it would hinder negotiated settlements and is not being taken forward;
  
  v) Introduction of a fee to stay proceedings not being taken forward for same reason.
  
• For enquiries about the Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact Sarah Challenger on +44 (0) 1633 814305 or Matthew Navarra on +44 (0) 1633 818313.

Date of release: 1 October 2009