The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched its new trade mark pre-apply service. It is a new online tool to help individuals and businesses improve their chances of successfully registering a trade mark. It is aimed at people who have not applied for a trade mark before and have little or no knowledge of the application process. It only applies to the UK rather than all markets.

It allows customers to check:

• if anyone already has a trade mark too similar to the one they want
• their proposed trade mark against basic trade mark rules
• their estimated application costs

The tool does not:

• save the data that is input
• give legal advice
• form part of the formal trade mark application process – it provides guidance to help with the formal application

The tool is designed around customer feedback and features artificial intelligence (AI) powered checks and searches to produce meaningful, tailored and helpful results.

To access the tool go to the first page of the trade mark application form on GOV.UK, select the first option ‘trade mark owner or the authorised person within their business’ and click ‘continue’.

You will then be presented with the option to access the pre-application tool or continue with your trade mark application.

The tool is currently in public beta, which means it is an early version of the service that is still under development.

If you have any queries, please contact information@ipo.gov.uk.