We have today received the UKIPO consultation document which sets out proposed changes to the system of applying for and registering trademarks in the UK. The main thrust of the consultation is that official fees will drop by varying amounts depending how the trademark is applied for.

This seems to be in direct response to the recent EU proposals to drop their fees by 40% and something which can only be greeted with enthusiasm by businesses in the UK. The real question is whether national trademark offices have any real relevance today when considered against the EU trademark, which includes 3 classes of goods and services within their application and which automatically includes the UK and Ireland.