On 7 April, the UK Intellectual Property Office is launching a new fast track service for trade mark applications. On payment of an additional fee of £300, applications will be examined and the examination report sent out within 10 working days.

The average time for examination is around a month, so the fast track will cut this time by about half. It will also give applicants certainty as to how quickly the examination will take place. However, the opposition period of three months during which other people can oppose the application has not been reduced, and so this is fast track to examination but not necessarily fast track to registration. But for people who want a quick decision on a mark whose registrability is uncertain, the fast track procedure is ideal.

We prepare and file trade mark applications and are happy to discuss your trade mark strategy with you.

Posted: January 18th, 2008 under Intellectual Property.
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