PROTECTING YOUR BRAND
Trade Mark Search
Before you lock in your brand name or logo, you need to start with a trade mark search. It flags any existing rights that could block your mark now or later. We check each mark in the countries where you want exclusive rights.
Why You Should Pay for a Search?
Unlike free, automated searches used by some agencies as marketing tools, we provide human expertise and detailed advice. Free services often give a one-line response with little real insight. With us, you get transparency, quality, and peace of mind that your brand is protected by professionals.
At National Business Register, a human will have conducted your search and because of that you can ask questions. You can have a FREE consultation with us if you want more detailed advice on the best way for you to register and protect your brand.
Trade Mark Search By Country
(Click Country To Buy)
United Kingdom
£ 99 plus VAT
European Union
£ 150 plus VAT
United States
£ 150 plus VAT
China
£ 275 plus VAT
Why Choose NBR for Trade Mark Searches?
At National Business Register, our trade mark search is more than just a quick check. For £99, our experienced team conducts a thorough search through the Intellectual Property Office, identifying competing marks and assessing whether your brand—whether a word or logo—is distinctive enough to register.
Not all words or logos can be registered. A quick free search may show there are no competing marks but that may be because the name or phrase is not able to be accepted and therefore registered at the IPO.
What Sets Us Apart:
- Expert Analysis: We don’t rely on automated systems or make you navigate the complex NICE classification system alone. Just tell us your industry, and we’ll apply our expertise to recommend the right classes for your mark.
- Comprehensive Insights: We don’t just look for exact matches. We consider any mark that could raise opposition, preventing confusion and future legal challenges.
- Strategic Approach: Our search goes beyond the basics, evaluating your mark across multiple categories to avoid potential overlaps down the line.
Undertaking a Trade Mark Search?
When…
Trade mark searches are a crucial aspect of your business’s brand protection strategy. This will identify if your brand name, logo, tagline etc. is already registered as a trade mark. If it is, you might be unable to obtain trade mark protection for your brand.
By undertaking this search you will have a good understanding of the restrictions in place, for example if your brand name is available to register in the UK and EU but not in the United States. The nature and extent of the trade mark searches you will need to do depend on the goods or services your business offers and the countries you wish to trade in.
Why…
Searches should be conducted as soon as possible, ideally before you spend any money on the brand, and definitely before you apply to register a trade mark.
Searches identify issues that could result in you needing to amend your mark before you file your registration application and begin to trade. This way you are not wasting time, effort and money on a brand that may not be viable as the Intellectual Property already belongs to someone else.
Trade Mark Search FAQs
A trade mark search involves searching an intellectual property (IP) office’s database to identify existing trade marks that may be similar to your proposed mark. This helps to avoid conflicts and potential opposition during the registration process. Additionally, we will offer our advice on whether the proposed mark is likely to be accepted by the IPO, and why.
Trade mark clearance searches are particularly important as they are the first step to determine whether the trade mark you wish to use and register is available.
We strongly recommend that, to avoid any potential conflict between your proposed trade mark and any existing similar trade marks, you instruct us to carry out a comprehensive trade mark search on your behalf.
Before an application is placed to register your proposed trade mark you must ensure your mark will not conflict with any existing trade mark. Furthermore, you should also ensure that there are no existing common law trade marks – in other words, unregistered trade marks, limited companies, business names and/or any reference to your proposed trade mark on the internet.
We offer a trade mark search service:
This search will indicate whether your proposed trade mark is available or is registered by someone else. The fee is £99 ex VAT for the UK and £150 ex VAT per search for Europe and the United States of America. Searches in other jurisdictions can be undertaken, fees can be discussed with our IP team.
There is no guarantee of successful registration, but research can help establish your chances. Ensure your mark shows sufficient distinctiveness and check for similar registered trade marks. We strongly recommend a detailed search taking place ahead of any application. This will consider current marks already registered and whether your proposed mark hits the criteria required by the IPO.
If no identical or similar marks are found, your chances are higher. If similar marks exist, a trade mark attorney can assess the risk and provide advice.
Even with a unique brand name and logo, registration is not guaranteed. Similar brands you haven’t encountered may exist. Conduct a trade mark search before submitting your application to determine the chances of success.
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