From 1 April 2026, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) is raising fees across all services
The UKIPO has announced that it plans on increasing all patent, trade mark and design official fees, with the new structure scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2026 (subject to parliamentary approval). The changes represent an across-the-board increase of approximately 25%, marking the first major fee adjustment for several years.
Examples of Key Fee Changes
Why This Matters
These proposed fee increases present IP rights holders with an opportunity to review their current IP strategy in the UK. With some proactive planning, IP rights holders can mitigate the financial impact of the fee increases and ensure that key assets are protected in the most cost-effective manner.
Potential actions are:
- File new applications before April 2026 to take advantage of the current fee structure, particularly in the case of multiclass trade marks or multi-design applications.
- Re-budget for increased costs of your portfolio to help avoid unexpected expenditure.
- Pay renewal fees before the fee increases take effect, where possible.
- Ensure details on the register are up-to-date, and to make any corrections before the fees increase.
Please consider reaching out your representative at Cleveland Scott York if you would like to discuss your portfolio and commercial strategy in light of the fee increases.
Martina Ferro and Ela Kucharska