17/06/2026
PROTECT YOUR MARK: The ™ and ® symbols are often used interchangeably, but they offer very different levels of protection for your brand name, logo or mark.
Any person or business can use the ™ symbol to indicate that a word, phrase or logo is being used as a brand identifier. While it doesn't provide the same statutory protection as a registered trademark, it signals your claim to the mark and may indicate that registration is planned or already underway.
Once your trademark is officially registered with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in the UK, you can use the ® symbol wherever the mark appears. With registration fees starting from £170, it's a relatively small investment for the legal protection it provides against unauthorised use. It also gives you the ability to license, franchise or sell your trademark as a valuable business asset.