The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has proposed fee increases, averaging around 25%, across trade marks, designs and patents, with changes expected to take effect on 1 April 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. These will be the first major adjustments in several years, reflecting rising inflation and supporting UKIPO investment in digital systems and service quality.
However, the new UKIPO fees will still be relatively inexpensive compared to other jurisdictions, maintaining the UK as an attractive territory for securing IP protection.
Patents
All major fees for patent proceedings before the UKIPO will also rise. In particular, the total basic fees for filing a UK patent application (filing, search and examination) will rise from £310 to £405, and the new patent renewal fees will be in the range £90–£810.
Trade Marks
Application and renewal costs will rise, with online filing increasing from £170 to £205 and renewals from £200 to £245. Opposition, invalidation and revocation fees will also increase, potentially prompting more selective enforcement action. Series applications, now rising from £50 to £60, will remain available for the time being.
Designs
Design application and renewal fees will increase across all tiers, affecting businesses with large portfolios. Higher costs may prompt applicants to streamline filings or reassess the value of older registrations. Invalidation actions will also become more expensive.
What Businesses Should Do
Although current fees apply until 31 March 2026, the scheduled increases mean applicants may wish to begin reviewing their IP strategies to:
- Plan budgets early, especially for businesses with high filing volumes.
- Bring filings and renewals forward where possible to secure lower fees.
- Audit portfolios to manage renewals cost-effectively.
- Reassess dispute strategy, as higher opposition and invalidation fees may influence when to challenge third-party rights.
Full guidance from the UKIPO is expected in early 2026. A link to a more detailed article with the full fee increases and implications is provided here.
