UK - new "fast track" trade mark service

From April this year, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) will offer a new fast track service for trade mark applications. This decision follows the public consultation on the matter, which was discussed on IP Menu News in September 2007.

"'This will help us turn around trade mark applications more quickly while still providing our customers with a very high quality service. We also want to look at other ways of speeding up the process for registering trade marks.'"

It has been announced that the fast track service will cost an additional £300 with the application examined and an examination report sent to the applicant within ten business days. "For comparative purposes, standard applications currently take around one month from their filing date before they are examined."

Source and for further information

UK-IPO news - Lord Triesman announces a new Fast–Track Trade Mark service

UK-IPO - Guidance: Fast-Track Examination of Trade Mark Applications

IP Menu News - UK - Public consultation on proposed fast track applications