Welcome to CITMA
Founded in 1934, chartered in 2016, The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) is a professional membership organisation with the power to shape law and practice - nationally and internationally. Find out more
What is a trade mark?
Find out how a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney will help you to navigate intellectual property law.
What is a trade mark?
Learn why trade marks are valuable business assets.
Getting a trade mark
How can you get a trade mark - we take you through the process step-by-step.
Find a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney
Use our directory to find intellectual property legal experts.
For the IP profession:
CITMA blog
Read fascinating and entertaining insight into intellectual property.
TV that tours: Building IP packages for global formats
With the ever-increasing appetite for content, paired with the rise in user-generated-content sites like YouTube and TikTok, the market for TV formats has become truly global.
Merch madness: How Star Wars helped create a merchandise Empire
From Star Wars to Frozen, cinematic franchises have shown that merchandising revenue can rival box-office takings.
Branded on screen: The legal landscape of product placement in films and TV
From James Bond’s Omega watches to Peter ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses in Top Gun, the integration of real-world products into fictional narratives has evolved into a sophisticated marketing strategy.
From toy box to box office: How brands are winning big on the big screen
What do Barbie, Mario and Pokémon have in common? They all began as beloved toys or games – and have since become blockbuster movie stars.
Upcoming events
Earn CPD and network with the IP profession at our events.
Case comments
Read analysis from recent trade mark cases.
Is that coffee from Iceland?
An EU General Court decision reinforces the barriers to registering country names as EU trade marks, writes David Birchall. T-105/23, Iceland Foods Ltd v EUIPO, General Court.
Uneven footing
Post-sale circumstances can be considered when assessing similarity and likelihood of confusion, writes Leanne Gulliver. [2025] UKSC 25, Iconix Luxembourg Holdings SARL v Dream Pairs Europe Inc & Anor.
A bad beginning makes a bad ending
A trade mark registered in bad faith may be challenged without any time limit, writes Eve Duggan. C-322/24, Sánchez Romero Carvajal Jabugo SAU v Embutidos Monells SA, CJEU, Eighth Chamber.
Notting Hill-gate
Failure to deal with IP before a corporate restructure led to handbags at dawn over the use of a logo, says Chris Morris. [2025] EWHC 1793 (IPEC), Courtnay-Smith & Anor v The Notting Hill Shopping Bag Company Ltd & Ors.
News
Read the latest news and features.
Lights, camera, trade marks: Showcasing your expertise in film & TV
We have launched a brand-new content-led campaign, showcasing the vital role of trade marks in the film & TV industries.
UK IPO announces first trade mark fee increase in nearly three decades
The Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) has announced it will raise fees for UK trade marks and designs from April 2026, marking the first increase for trade marks since 1998.
Celebrating Black excellence in IP
Dive into the lived experiences of four Black IP professionals, as they reflect on the value in allyship, building resilience, and practical guidance for the next generation.
The UK IPO is relocating its London office
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) is moving its London office to Canary Wharf.