With official UK trade mark fees set to rise by around 25% from April 2026, businesses are being encouraged to take a closer look at how they manage and protect their brands. The changes mark the first major update to IP fees in decades and carry important implications for organisations of all sizes.
In a recent article for BusinessCloud, Emma Yates, Head of Intellectual Property at rradar, highlights how trade mark protection is often treated as a oneoff task, when in reality it needs to evolve alongside the business. She notes that many organisations underestimate key risks — from outdated classes and missed subbrand protection to ownership issues and gaps created as companies expand into new markets. In today’s crowded, fastmoving landscape (and with AIgenerated branding becoming more common), these oversights can easily turn into costly disputes.
The message is clear: a focused review now can help avoid higher costs, legal exposure and disruption once fees rise in 2026.
Read the full article: IP costs are rising in 2026. What do UK businesses need to do? on BusinessCloud.
