Trade Mark Law & Practice at a Glance – September 2025

UKIPO Update

Updated guidance following SkyKick

A Practice Amendment Notice was published by the UKIPO on 27 June 2025. It provides specific guidance relating to how broad specifications will be viewed by examiners in respect of new applications, clarifying the impact of the SkyKick v Sky Supreme Court judgment. Click here for further information.

UK signs Riyadh Design Law Treaty

On 11 July 2025, the UK IPO signed a new international design law treaty, taking steps towards simplifying global design protection for UK businesses. The aims of the treaty are to simplify the registration and renewal process by limiting the amount of information required at filing. Electronic filing will be encouraged and digital databases of rights will be made publicly available. Click here for further information.

CITMA’s AI report

In July, the Chartered institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) published a report which looks at the risks and opportunities AI presents to the IP profession. CITMA will continue its work to provide guidance, education and policy input on how AI might be integrated. Read the full report here.

Update on backlog of cases

The updated statistics from the UKIPO say that there are a total of 787 decisions pending from both written cases and hearings. The UKIPO is forecasting that they will reduce timescales for issuance of decisions back down to six months by July 2027 and to three months by March 2028. Further detail is available here.

EUIPO Update

Review of the distinctive character of slogans

The EUIPO Convergence Project (CP17) is reviewing the distinctive character (and hence, registrability) of slogans. A first draft of the new EU common practice was issued in May – further updates will follow when the report is published.  

Mediation services extended

From 2 June 2025, parties involved in any inter partes proceedings before the EUIPO can request mediation. This has been extended to include all EU trade mark and EU design disputes with an aim to help settle matters quickly and efficiently. More details are available here.

Worldwide Update

WIPO – New eMadrid (Beta) live from September

WIPO have confirmed that the new eMadrid online system will become the default option for managing international trade mark registration transactions from September 2025. The new interface includes a workbench for viewing and managing registrations, and online tools and services to allow users to check the statuses, view historic transactions and request modifications. See the new interface here.

Jersey – Legislation changes to allow direct filing

Historically, brand owners have first needed to obtain a UK trade mark before extending their protection to Jersey. New legislation due to come into force will allow both direct national filings in Jersey and accession to the Madrid Protocol, to allow Jersey to be both designated in International applications and also act as an office of origin. Details of the consultation can be found here.

Libya – Update on increase in renewal fees 

There were significant increases in trade mark renewal fees in Libya which came into effect in November 2024. In particular, this saw a substantial increase in renewal fees for foreign trade mark owners up to US $2,000 per year, with the option to pay in one lump sum for the ten-year renewal or to pay in annual instalments. More information can be found here.

Qatar – Registry introduces digital transformation

In July 2025, the Qatari trade mark registry introduced a pilot phase of digital transformation. Among the changes are online publications and the issuing of electronic registration certificates. 

South Korea – length of opposition period reduced

As of 22 July 2025, the opposition period has been reduced from 2 months from the publication date of an application, to 30 days.  

United States of America – USPTO cancels 52,000 trade marks

On 6 August 2025, the US Patent and Trade Mark Office (USPTO) removed 52,000 trade mark applications and registrations linked to one Chinese entity. The USPTO found that the entity had submitted fake specimens of use and forged electronic signatures. The USPTO has said that the move ensures that the register “accurately reflects trade marks that are actually being used in commerce”. More information can be found here.