UKIPO fee increases from 1 April 2026: how to save costs

What's the development?

• From 1 April 2026, the UKIPO will increase its official fees by an average of 25% across trade marks and registered designs (parliamentary approval now having been gained for the change). 

• Official fees have not risen since 1998 (for trade marks) or 2016 (for designs) and remain relatively low compared to Registries in other jurisdictions. Examples of increases are shown in the table below.

• Brand owners can save costs by acting now. 

• Requests to renew trade mark registrations can be made up to six months in advance. The existing (soon to be old) official fees will continue to apply to any renewal requests made before 1 April 2026, regardless of the renewal due date. It means that trade mark owners can benefit from the existing official fees for renewals of all registrations that expire up to and including 30 September 2026. The date that renewal is requested does not affect the calculation of the 10-year term – in other words, the 10-year term is not shortened if renewal is requested early.

• Likewise, trade mark owners can reduce filing fees by filing applications before the 1 April 2026 date. 

• Similar principles apply to registered designs. 

What should brand owners do?

Brand owners should consider filing applications and renewal requests now to save costs before the deadline.  Another point to consider is updating budgets with a view to reflecting the new official fee levels in place later this year. 

For how this affects you, please speak to your usual Taylor Wessing contact. More information here. 

Example fees: