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.
Can a contract that lasts “indefinitely” ever be brought to an end?
When a contract says it will continue “indefinitely”, it's tempting to assume that it means forever. But, as the recent Zaha Hadid case demonstrates, that assumption can be costly.
Confetti and copycats: protecting your brand this wedding season
With peak wedding season upon us, CITMA Paralegal Chloë Fernandez explores the key steps wedding suppliers should take to ensure they have suitable brand protection in place.
The World Cup, Wimbledon and your business: playing by the rules this summer
As big sporting events dominate our summers, Associate Director, Leanne Gulliver unpacks a timely question: can I mention the World Cup in my marketing?
What makes a trade mark iconic?
Reflecting on a recent poll from the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO), Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Mark Caddle explores what makes an iconic trade mark.
Upcoming events
Earn CPD and network with the IP profession at our events.
Case comments
Read analysis from recent trade mark cases.
Saving soles
This dispute was not easy to resolve, writes Samuel O’Toole, but the IPEC ruled that confusion was unlikely for these two marks. [2026] EWHC 767 (IPEC), easyGroup Ltd v Easyfeetstore OÜ & Ors.
The short answer
The Court of Appeal ruled that a video-sharing platform’s name was clearly descriptive and did not infringe a film company’s trade mark, writes Celia Tao. The Court of Appeal ruled that a video-sharing platform’s name was clearly descriptive and did not infringe a film company’s trade mark, writes Celia Tao.
Orwell before the Grand Board
Can the title of a novel become a registered trade mark? In the case of two of George Orwell’s famous works, only up to a point, writes Luke Ingleton. R 1719/2019-G Animal Farm & R 1922/2019-G 1984, EUIPO Grand Board of Appeal.
How easy can it be?
Saaira Gill reviews four recent decisions on revocation actions filed against marks containing a certain descriptive word. O/0345/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Tubeway (Sales) Ltd; O/0341/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Omnicell GmbH; O/0440/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Lascar Electronics Ltd; O/0421/26 Kilburn & Strode LLP v Easibathe Ltd.
News
Read the latest news and features.
Government announces new IP Minister
The latest minister with responsibility for intellectual property has been announced as Chris McDonald MP.
Law and practice snippets: August 2026
An update on recent practice points by our Law and Practice Committee, including updated data on tribunal activity and new examination guidelines for EUTMs.
IPReg findings highlight evolving practice needs
The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg) has published the findings report from its call for evidence and feedback, a key stage in its ongoing education review.
Report calls for changes to Legal Services Board
An independent review, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, into the Legal Services Board (LSB) has recommended that an overhaul of Legal Services Board (LSB) is required.