Record numbers of UK trade mark applications

3rd Sep 2020

June 2020 saw record numbers of new UK trade mark applications filed at the UK Intellectual Property Office, the latest figures reveal.

Trade mark

12,576 UK trade mark applications were filed in June, the most ever recorded in a single month. The previous high was May 2020, which saw 11,035 applications. 

The June 2020 figures include 11,204 direct applications and 1,372 international applications designating the UK filed via the Madrid System. 

Click here to download the latest UK IPO statistics

2020 statistics: 

Month Trade mark applications
January 2020 9,642
February 2020 9,428
March 2020 8,794 
April 2020 9,021 
May 2020 11,035 
June 2020 12,576

In 2019 there were an average of 8,961 trade marks filed each month, 7,932 in 2018, and 6,999 in 2017 – demonstrating the sharp increase. 

However, the statistics show that the number of trade marks reaching full registration in April, May and June were minimal due to COVID-19. 

Trade marks for which the opposition period ended during the period of interruption, as declared by the UK IPO, were not registered as deadline were extended under the provisions. This period ended on 30th July 2020. 

Increasing trend

There has been an increasing trend since 2011 in the number of trade mark applications being filed and registrations. 2019 saw more than 100,000 applications for the first time. 

UK applications 2011-2019
Source: Facts and figures: patent, trade mark, design and hearing data

Click here to download the UK IPO's latest trade mark data