We would like to bring to your attention an important upcoming change from the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) that may affect your intellectual property costs.
The UK IPO has announced that official fees for patents, trademarks and registered designs will increase by an average of 25% from 1 April 2026, subject to final parliamentary approval. This presents a valuable opportunity to review your IP portfolio and take action early to secure current fee rates.
Why Are UK IPO Fees Increasing?
This is the first significant increase in UK IPO fees in many years:
- Trademarks – unchanged since 1998
- Designs – unchanged since 2016
- Patents – unchanged since 2018
The increase reflects a 32% rise in inflation since 2016 and supports continued investment in digital services, efficiency, and high-quality IP protection.
Key Dates & Transitional Rules
- Current (old) fees apply for payments made up to and including 31 March 2026
- New fees apply to all applications, renewals, and relevant payments made on or after 1 April 2026
The applicable fee depends on when payment is made, not just when an application or renewal is due — making advance planning essential.
Examples of Fee Increases – Based on official UK IPO examples:
- Trademark application (one class): £200 → £250
- Trademark renewal (one class): £50 → £60
Further increases apply across patent and design filings and renewals.
How You Can Save – Apply or Renew Early – You may be able to lock in current fees by paying in advance for upcoming renewals:
- Patents: Renewals due in April or May 2026 (up to 3 months early)
- Trademarks & designs: Renewals due up to and including 30 September 2026 (up to 6 months early)
Early action can result in meaningful cost savings, especially for portfolios with multiple registrations.
Special Rules to Be Aware Of
- Designs – Deferral Fees
If you request registration of a deferred design on or after 1 April 2026, the new fee applies, regardless of the original filing date. - Trade mark “Period of Grace” Payments
If a trade mark application is filed before 1 April 2026 and the fee is paid during the grace period after that date, the old fee still applies, provided payment is made on time. - Right Start™ Trade Mark Applications
Where the initial Right Start fee is paid before 1 April 2026, the old fee will apply to completing the application, even if the completion fee is paid after 1 April 2026 (within the deadline).
Renewal Fee Timing – Summary Table
| Renewal Due Date | Payment before Apr 1, 2026 | Payment on/after Apr 1, 2026 (no late fee) | Payment on/after Apr 1, 2026 (late fee due) |
| Before 1 Apr 2026 | Old fee | Old fee | Old renewal + new late fee |
| On/after 1 Apr 2026 | Old fee | New fee | New renewal + new late fee |
Important reminder: Any underpayment, even if unintentional, may delay processing and risk missed deadlines.
✅ Recommended Next Steps
- Review your IP portfolio for upcoming filings, renewals, or deferred fees
- Consider early filing or renewal to secure current rates
- Contact us for tailored advice and strategic planning ahead of the April 2026 deadline
Full official guidance and fee tables are available on the UK IPO website.
If you need any assistance or any other additional information, please feel free to contact us at foreign@ssrana.com.