The most common UK trademark search mistake: you type your brand name into the UKIPO database, get zero exact matches, and assume you're clear. You're not. The register holds roughly 1.1 million active registrations, and the one that blocks you probably won't be spelled the same way as yours.
A phonetically similar mark in a related Nice class can sink your application just as effectively as an identical one. The UKIPO examiner doesn't just look for the same word. They look for marks that sound alike, look alike, or create the same overall impression. Your search needs to do the same.
This guide walks you through the UKIPO database step by step, from running your first search to reading the results correctly. Whether you're filing in the UK for the first time or expanding from another jurisdiction, you'll know exactly what to look for and what most people miss.
What the UK Trademark Database Actually Covers
The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) maintains the UK trade mark register at trademarks.ipo.gov.uk. It's free to search, requires no account, and contains roughly 3 million records dating back to 1876.
Those 3 million records break down into three types, and understanding the difference matters for your search:
UK national marks. These are trademarks filed directly with the UKIPO. They're the most straightforward: a person or company applied to register a mark in the UK, and it either succeeded or it didn't.
Comparable UK marks (UK009 prefix). When the UK left the EU, every existing EU trademark registration was automatically "cloned" onto the UK register as an independent right. These carry a UK009 prefix before the original EU registration number. They have identical legal weight to a mark filed directly with the UKIPO. If the original EU registration lapses or is cancelled, the comparable UK mark still stands on its own. You'll see a lot of these in your search results.
International (Madrid) designations. The Madrid Protocol lets trademark holders extend protection to multiple countries through a single international application managed by WIPO. When an international registration designates the UK, it appears on the UKIPO register with the same legal effect as a direct filing.
All three types can block your application. When you run a UK trademark search, you're searching across all of them. The database updates daily.
How to Search the UKIPO Database (Step by Step)
Go to trademarks.ipo.gov.uk. You'll see a search form with several options. Here's how to use each one.
Step 1: Search by trademark name
This is where most people start, and where most people stop too early. The UKIPO offers four search types for name searches:
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Exact. Returns only marks that match your term character-for-character. Useful for checking a specific registration, but dangerous as your only search. A mark spelled differently but sounding identical won't show up.
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Contains. Returns marks containing your search term anywhere in the name. Broader than exact, but still limited to literal string matching.
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Starts with. Returns marks that begin with your term. Helpful for catching variations like "BREWPOINT" when you searched "BREW."
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Similar. This is the one that matters most. The similar search uses phonetic and visual similarity algorithms to find marks that sound or look like yours, even if they're spelled differently. "BREWPOINT" would catch "BRUPOINT," "BREWPOINTE," and potentially "BLUE POINT." Always run a similar search.
Start with the similar search. Then run exact and contains to make sure you haven't missed anything with an unusual spelling.
Step 2: Filter by Nice class
Nice classification is the international system for categorizing goods and services into 45 classes. Class 9 covers software. Class 25 covers clothing. Class 43 covers restaurant services.
The UKIPO lets you filter results by one or more Nice classes. Always filter. A search for "ATLAS" with no class filter will return hundreds of results across every category imaginable. Most of them won't be relevant to your goods or services.
But don't filter too narrowly. If you're filing for software (Class 9), also check Class 42 (software development services) and Class 35 (online retail). Examiners consider marks in related classes, not just your exact class.
Step 3: Search by owner name
If you want to see everything a specific company owns in the UK, search by owner name. This is useful for competitive intelligence or checking whether a company you've already identified holds UK rights.
Step 4: Search by trademark number
If you have a specific registration number or application number, enter it directly. For comparable UK marks, try the UK009 prefix followed by the original EU registration number.
Step 5: Review the status filter
You can filter by status to show only live marks (registered or pending) or include dead marks (expired, withdrawn, cancelled). For clearance purposes, focus on live marks first. Dead marks can still be relevant if they were recently cancelled and the owner might refile, but they're lower priority.
Reading Your Search Results
Your search will return a list of marks. Each entry includes several fields. Here's what to focus on.
Status. The most important field. Key statuses you'll see:
- Registered means the mark is live and protected. This is the one that can block you.
- Filed / Application received means someone has applied but the mark hasn't been examined yet. It still creates a potential conflict because it has an earlier filing date.
- Published means the mark passed examination and is in its opposition period. Almost registered.
- Opposed means someone has filed an opposition. The outcome is uncertain.
- Expired / Withdrawn / Cancelled means the mark is no longer active. Lower risk, but not zero risk.
Filing and registration dates. Earlier dates mean priority. If you file after someone else, their mark takes precedence, even if yours was registered first in another country.
Nice classes. Shows which goods and services the mark covers. Compare these to the classes you plan to file in. Even if the classes aren't identical, closely related classes can create conflicts.
Owner. Tells you who holds the mark. Useful for assessing whether the owner is likely to enforce (a large corporation) or less likely to notice (a dissolved company whose mark hasn't been cancelled yet).
Mark type and comparable UK mark indicator. If you see "Comparable Trade Mark (EU)" or a UK009-prefix number, this is a cloned EU registration. It carries the same legal weight as any other UK registration. Don't dismiss it because of its origin.
Assessing conflict risk
Trademark conflict isn't binary. Think of it as a spectrum:
- High risk: Same or very similar mark, same or closely related Nice class, mark is registered and owner is active. Walk away or get legal advice.
- Medium risk: Similar (not identical) mark, related class, mark is registered. Worth a conversation with a trademark attorney.
- Lower risk: Somewhat similar mark, unrelated class, or mark is expired/cancelled. Probably workable, but document your reasoning.
No search result is a guarantee either way. A clear search means no obvious conflicts on the register. It doesn't mean no one will oppose your application.
5 Common Mistakes in UK Trademark Searches
1. Searching exact matches only
This is the mistake from the opening paragraph. The UKIPO's "Similar" search exists for a reason: the examiner considers phonetic and visual similarity, not just spelling. If you only run an exact search, you'll miss the marks most likely to block you. Always use the "Similar" search type.
2. Ignoring related Nice classes
You're launching a coffee brand and you search Class 30 (coffee products). Makes sense. But did you check Class 43 (cafe services)? Class 35 (retail services for coffee)? Trademark conflicts cross class boundaries when the goods and services are related. A coffee brand in Class 30 and a cafe chain in Class 43 can absolutely conflict.
3. Not checking for unregistered rights
The UK is a common-law jurisdiction. That means a business can have trademark rights without ever registering with the UKIPO, through a legal doctrine called "passing off." If a company has been trading under a name for years and has built up goodwill, they can challenge your registration even if they never filed.
The UKIPO database only shows registered (and pending) marks. It won't show you the bakery in Manchester that's been trading as "BREWPOINT" for fifteen years without a registration. Check Companies House for registered company names, and run basic web and social media searches too. Consult a trademark attorney for legal guidance on passing off risk specific to your situation.
4. Confusing UK and EU marks after Brexit
Before Brexit, an EU trademark (EUTM) automatically covered the UK. That's no longer the case. If you hold an EUTM filed after 1 January 2021, it does not cover the UK. You need a separate UK filing.
If your EUTM existed before that date, it was cloned as a comparable UK mark. You have both. But any new EU filings don't extend to the UK, and new UK filings don't extend to the EU. When searching, remember: the UKIPO database covers UK rights only. For EU coverage, you need to search the EUIPO register separately.
5. Treating a clear search as an all-clear
A clean search result doesn't mean your application will succeed. Examiners may raise objections you didn't anticipate. Someone may file a similar mark between your search date and your filing date. Unregistered rights won't show up in any database.
A trademark search reduces risk. It doesn't eliminate it. Treat your results as strong evidence, not a guarantee, and file promptly after searching so the gap between search and application is as short as possible.
Beyond the UKIPO Database
A UK trademark search on the UKIPO register covers UK rights only. A proper clearance search goes wider.
TMview. Run by the EU Intellectual Property Office, TMview aggregates data from 70+ trademark offices, including the UKIPO. It's useful for checking whether a mark is registered in multiple jurisdictions at once. Free to use at tmdn.org/tmview.
WIPO Global Brand Database. Covers international registrations filed through the Madrid Protocol. If someone has filed an international mark designating the UK, it will appear both here and on the UKIPO register. The WIPO database is useful for seeing the full scope of an international registration, including which other countries it covers. Search at branddb.wipo.int.
Companies House. The UK company register at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. A company name registration isn't a trademark, but an existing company trading under your proposed name could create passing off issues.
Domain and social media checks. Not legal databases, but practical ones. If someone is actively using your proposed mark online in the UK, that's relevant to your clearance assessment even if they haven't registered it.
API-based clearance tools. If you're building trademark clearance into a product or running searches at volume, manual database searches don't scale. Signa provides API access to WIPO international registrations, which include Madrid Protocol marks designating the UK. It won't replace a direct UKIPO search, but it covers the international layer that complements the national register. Useful for multi-office clearance workflows where you need to check marks across several jurisdictions programmatically.
UK Trademark Costs and Timeline (2026)
The UKIPO raised fees in April 2026, the first increase since 1998. Here's what you'll pay now.
Filing fees:
- First class: £205 (up from £170)
- Each additional class: £60 (up from £50)
- A two-class application costs £265 total
Renewal fees:
- £245 per class every 10 years (up from £200)
UKIPO Trademark Fee Changes (GBP)
Timeline (unopposed):
- Filing to examination: 2-3 months
- Publication for opposition: 2 months (extendable by 1 month if someone requests it)
- Registration: typically 4-6 months total from filing
These costs are for filing directly with the UKIPO. If you use an attorney (recommended for anything beyond a straightforward filing), add their fees on top. For context on how UK costs compare to other jurisdictions, see Signa's breakdown of trademark costs across offices.
The April 2026 increase averaged about 25% across all IP rights at the UKIPO, so budget accordingly if you've been working from older quotes.
Your Next Steps
Once you're ready to search UK trademarks, here's the practical sequence:
- Run a "Similar" search on trademarks.ipo.gov.uk for your proposed mark, filtered to your relevant Nice classes.
- Check related classes, not just your primary one.
- Search WIPO Global Brand Database for international marks designating the UK.
- Check Companies House and run basic web searches for unregistered use.
- If you find potential conflicts, talk to a trademark attorney before filing. If the search looks clear, file promptly to secure your filing date.
For API-based clearance across multiple offices, Signa's trademark search covers WIPO international registrations, including Madrid Protocol marks designating the UK.
A thorough UK trademark search takes about an hour of focused work. That hour can save you months of back-and-forth with the UKIPO examiner, or worse, an opposition that forces a rebrand.
Consult a trademark attorney for legal guidance specific to your situation. This guide explains the process and the tools available, but it's not a substitute for professional legal advice.