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?
Let our experts help you get to grips with trade marks and other intellectual property rights.
Find out how a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney will help you to navigate intellectual property law.
What is a trade mark?
Trade marks are valuable business assets - what are they and how can you get one?
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.
CITMA blog
Read fascinating and entertaining insight into intellectual property.
Why Campbell’s succeeded where McDonald’s failed
The differing recent fortunes of Campbell’s and McDonald’s trade marks highlight the need for businesses to document use of trade marks, as Chartered Trade Mark Attorney Graeme Murray explains.
The vape escape: how brand owners can fight back
Red Bull, Ferrara Candy Co. and Wrigley are amongst the hundreds of food and drink brand names to have been used by vaping companies. These brand owners are fighting back.
Copyright in gaming — why is everyone suing Fortnite?
The incredible success of gaming sensation Fortnite has sparked a number of high-profile legal battles over the copyright of elements of the game, as Akber Ahmed explains.
How McDonald’s lost its Big Mac trade mark
How did Irish burger chain Supermac’s manage to get the Big Mac trade mark cancelled across the EU? The answer lies in the lack of evidence presented by McDonald’s as Daniel Bailey explains.
Upcoming events
Earn CPD and network with the IP profession at our events.
Case comments
Read analysis from recent trade mark cases.
An absolute (grounds) grilling
Laura Robyn reviews the Applicant’s intelligence arguments. -822/17, Weber-Stephen Products LLC v EUIPO, General Court, 17th October 2018.
No safe space for safe skies
Arguments on the window for evidence went unheeded, says Eleni Mezulanik. C-326/18 P, Safe Skies v EUIPO, CJEU, 4th October 2018.
Food for thought
Gavin Stenton serves up the details of the Examiner’s decision. O/682/18, @PIZZA (Application, Opposition), UK IPO, 31st October 2018.
Poor conduct costs dear
Sarah Williams describes why the Court felt it should lift the costs cap. [2018] EWHC 2728 (IPEC), Link Up Mitaka Ltd (t/a Thebigword) v Language Empire Ltd & Anor, IPEC, 17th October 2018.
Brexit
Read the latest updates on what the UK's withdrawal from the European Union means for intellectual property.
Numbering for cloned EU trade marks in the UK
EU Trade Marks (EUTMs) will be given a short prefix on the UK register when UK leaves the EU, the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) has today confirmed.
EUIPO rights of representation – what we know
We have brought together all the information currently available on the future rights of representation for UK professionals before the EUIPO.
Brexit - Q&A February 2019
Our recent guidance on registered rights raised a number of questions from members. As many of the issues raised have wider implications we have pulled these together.
Draft SIs for implementing Brexit changes
The draft statutory instruments (SIs) to implement the necessary changes to legislation resulting from Brexit are available to read.