Trade Mark Law & Practice at a Glance – November 2025

UKIPO update

UKIPO design consultation

The UKIPO launched a consultation to seek designers’ views on the UK designs system for potential reform options. The aim is to improve the UK designs system and ensure that it best supports UK businesses. The consultation closes on 27 November 2025. More information can be found on our article here, or the UKIPO’s website.

Deadline for owners of UK clone marks

Owners of UK clone marks have been able to rely on use of their marks in the EU to support the validity of their corresponding UK registrations. However, starting from 1 January 2026, it will no longer be possible for a 5 year period to include dates prior to 1 January 2021, which was when the UK clones were created. This means that use in the EU will no longer count and owners can only rely on use in the UK. You can read more about it here.

UKIPO awareness campaign for fake toys

The UKIPO launched its “Fake Toys, Real Harms” campaign to bring awareness to the dangers of counterfeit toys which carry significant safety risks to children. The Home Office reported that around 259,000 fake toys have been seized this year and that 75% of these failed safety tests. More information can be found at the UKIPO’s website.

UKIPO plans to increase fees

The UKIPO released an announcement that it will increase fees for trade marks, designs and patents from 1 April 2026 once parliamentary approval is received. Trade mark fees will increase by an average of 25%. The UKIPO intends to publish further guidance on the new fees prior to the implementation date. The announcement, including a table of the current and new fees, can be found here.

EUIPO update

EUIPO launches AI trade mark screening tool ‘Early TM Screening’

This pre-assessment tool is intended to indicate any issues with the mark prior to filing, such as potential conflicts with earlier rights and registrability. While not an exhaustive tool, it can present some cost savings to prospective applicants by helping them decide whether to proceed with filing or not. The ‘Early TM Screening’ tool can be accessed here (a subscription is required to access the tool).

EUIPO’s first copyright conference

The EUIPO is hosted its first Conference on Copyright on 20 -21 November in Alicante. The EUIPO Copyright Knowledge Centre was also launched during this conference

EUIPO launches The Ideas Powered for business SME Fund 2025

This initiative runs from 3 February 2025 to 5 December 2025. There are four types of vouchers to apply for, namely IP Scan & IP Scan Enforcement, Trade Marks and Designs, Patents and Community plant varieties. The IP Scan and Trade mark vouchers proved to be highly popular – the funds for these have been exhausted given the high number of requests received. More information can be found here.

EUIPO launches multi-factor authentication system

To improve online security of users and their data, the EUIPO is introducing a multi-factor authentication system for accessing their User Area. This follows the requests of several users, including GJE, and shows the EUIPO’s cooperative spirit and commitment to online security and data protection. The new authentication system will be introduced on 1 December 2025 as an optional step and will become mandatory on 16 February 2026. Users of the EUIPO website are advised to familiarise themselves with the new system as soon as possible.

Worldwide update

Ukraine joins TMview database

As of 22 October 2025, trade marks on the database of the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO) is available to view on the EUIPO’s TMview database. TMView now has access to over 134 million trade marks from 80 participating IP offices globally. You can read more about it here.

WIPO to phase out old eMadrid webpages

The new eMadrid webpages were launched in September 2025. To complete the transition, the old eMadrid webpages will be retired on 2 December 2025.

WIPO publishes its Madrid Yearly Review 2025

The Review includes 2024 statistics on international applications and registrations filed through the Madrid Protocol. Notably, WIPO reports that use of the international system has increased by 1.2% in 2024, after two years of decline. You can read the Review here.

Philippines’ new domain name dispute resolution service in collaboration with WIPO

The new .PH dispute policy is based on the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). Read more about it here.

Hong Kong signs MOU with WIPO

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) means that Hong Kong will contribute its key IP judgments to the WIPO Lex-Judgments database thereby providing and improving global access to important legal precedents in Hong Kong. The announcement can be found here.

Qatar begins publication for designations

From 1 October 2025, Qatar has started publishing designations of international trade mark registrations following the Madrid Protocol coming into force in 2024. There is now an official 60-day opposition period starting from the date of publication.

UAE introduces new official fees for trade marks

From 15 November 2025, new official fees for trade marks in the UAE took effect, including fees for the application and registration for geographical indications. The UAE has also introduced a 50% fee reduction for SMEs and full exemption from payment of official fees for persons with disabilities. More information can be found here.

Tanzania introduces new trade mark recordation requirement for imports

From 1 December 2025, trade mark recordation became mandatory for all imported goods to help enforce IP enforcement in Tanzania. The application for trade mark recordation should be prepared and filed prior to importing the goods to avoid delays and import disruption.