The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has announced plans to increase its filing fees across all intellectual property rights in April 2026 (including the first proposed increase for trade mark filings in almost three decades!)
Fees will be increasing by an average of 25% across all filings for each IP right; from filing applications (including for each additional class) and renewals to recording change of ownership and filing oppositions. For more detail on the proposed costs, you can visit the UKIPO’s page here.
The UKIPO has stated that the increase will “enable the IPO to continue to invest in its [digital] systems and provide high quality services”. It is evident that UKIPO is reviewing its current practices in an effort to streamline its services for IP rightsholders, as this change shortly follows its announcement to scrap trade mark series applications for reasons discussed here.
Whilst each increase is relatively minor in isolation, IP-rich businesses with large portfolios across a number of IP rights will accumulate higher fees to maintain their portfolios when filing renewal applications and (if required) cancellation or opposition notices. If practicable, it is worth businesses timing the required maintenance and renewals of IP rights ahead of the upcoming change to avoid the additional cost! Businesses (particularly start-ups and smaller brand owners) may also want to bring forward planned applications, searches and filings to benefit from the current fee regime.
If you are looking to protect your brand assets and need intellectual property advice, get in touch with our commercial and intellectual property team at [email protected].
