Stay Ahead of the 2026 UKIPO Fee Increase
28 Jan 2026
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has confirmed a series of fee increases scheduled for 1 April 2026.
Whether you are an independent jeweller or a national retailer, the upcoming fee changes will alter the cost of safeguarding a wide range of valuable assets, whether you protect business names and logos or product designs and packaging.
Planning ahead is now essential & will lead to cost-savings while maintaining strong and enforceable IP protection.
Why the Fee Increase Matters to You
So much value sits in the elements that make your brand distinctive: names, logos, collection titles, and the creative work that supports them.
Counterfeit products, copycat branding and misuse of online content continue to be challenges faced by the industry. This has made reliable IP protection more important, covering not only designs and branding but also photography, packaging and digital assets.
With UKIPO fees rising in April 2026, delaying applications could mean higher costs for the same protection. Acting sooner may help businesses manage budgets more effectively, especially those planning new ranges or brand updates.
Key Areas Affected by the Fee Increases
- Trade Mark Applications
Trade marks can cover brand names, collection names, logos and sometimes even signature design elements ensuring exclusive use in your classes and jurisdictions.
From April 2026, businesses can expect increased costs for:
- New trade mark applications
- Additional classes (particularly relevant where both goods and retail services need protecting)
- Renewals for existing marks
If your business has been considering registering a trade mark, or if a renewal is approaching within the next 6 months, it will be more cost‑effective to act before the fee changes come into force.
- Registered Design Protection
Registered designs cover the appearance of a product, ideal for protecting bespoke or signature designs.
With fees set to rise for both single and multiple design filings, businesses who release seasonal or annual collections could see costs increase significantly if they delay until after April 2026.
For those planning multiple filings, submitting applications ahead of the fee changes could offer meaningful cost savings.
- Renewals and Long‑Term Portfolio Management
Forward planning is advisable, you can renew your trade mark & registered designs up to 6 months in advance, so if your renewal is due on or by September 2026, completing it ahead of the fee increase will be more cost‑effective.
Practical next steps:
You can take proactive steps now to stay ahead of the increases:
- Review Your Brand Assets: Take stock of your current IP portfolio - including trade marks, logos, collection names and any creative or brand elements you’ve considered protecting but haven’t yet formalised.
- File Before the Deadline Where Possible: If new product lines, collections or brand updates are planned for 2026, consider filing in advance to secure current pricing.
- Protect Designs Promptly: Early registration strengthens your position against imitation, particularly online and across marketplace platforms. This can be especially helpful for businesses releasing seasonal or fast‑moving collections.
How can NBR help?
The upcoming UKIPO fee increase brings renewed focus to the value of strong IP protection.
National Business Register Group (NBR) can support businesses that wish to complete applications or renewals before the April 2026 fee changes. We handle trade mark and registered design filings on behalf of clients, helping ensure submissions are made correctly and in time to benefit from the current fees.
To guarantee filing ahead of the increase, applications and renewal instructions need to be received, along with payment, by 25 March 2026.
If you’d like support with applications or renewals, you can contact us at NBR on 0800 069 9090 or by emailing us.
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Source: NBR