How to Trademark Your Clothing Line in the UK

If you're building a clothing brand, your designs, logo, and name are some of the most valuable things you own. Registering a trademark is how you protect them. Without one, there's little stopping someone else from copying your work and trading on the reputation you've spent time building.

This guide explains what a trademark covers, why it matters specifically for fashion brands, and exactly how to register one in the UK.

Key Takeaways

• A UK trademark gives you exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo, or distinctive elements like a signature colour. It lets you take legal action against anyone who copies them.
• Fashion brands are particularly vulnerable to copying, especially from fast fashion operators who replicate designs and branding at scale. A registered trademark is your primary legal defence.
• Registering a UK trademark costs £205 for one class of goods, with £60 for each additional class. The full registration process, including the mandatory opposition window, typically takes four to six months.
• Once registered, a UK trademark lasts for ten years and can be renewed. You can also use the ® symbol once registration is confirmed.
• If you plan to sell internationally, the WIPO Madrid System lets you file a single international trademark application covering up to 132 countries.

What Is a Trademark and What Can It Cover?

A trademark is a sign that distinguishes your products or services from someone else's. In fashion, this is usually how customers tell one brand's clothing apart from another, even when the garments themselves are similar.

Trademarks can cover:

• Brand and collection names
• Logos and visual marks
• Sounds
• Colours, such as a distinctive brand colour
• Any combination of the above

The ® symbol is what you see placed next to registered trademarks. You can only use it once your trademark is formally registered. Until then, you can use TM to indicate that you consider something a trademark, but this carries no formal legal weight.

Why Does My Clothing Brand Need Trademark Protection?

The fashion industry has a well-documented problem with copying. Independent designers regularly find their designs reproduced by larger fast fashion brands, often with very little they can do about it without a trademark in place.

A registered trademark gives you the legal standing to pursue infringement claims. It also acts as a deterrent, the ® symbol signals to others that your brand is legally protected. Without it, proving that something belongs to you is considerably harder and more expensive.

Beyond protection, a trademark adds genuine commercial value. You can license it to others, sell it as part of a business sale, or use it as leverage when attracting investors or stockists.

How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Clothing Brand in the UK?

Registering a UK trademark online costs £205 for one class of goods. Each additional class costs £60. For most clothing brands, the relevant class is Class 25, which covers clothing, footwear, and headgear.

If your brand also covers accessories, jewellery, or other product categories, you'll need to include those classes separately. The more classes you add, the higher the total cost.

These costs cover the application and examination process. If you hire a solicitor or trademark attorney to manage the application, their fees are on top. Always check the UKIPO website for current fees before applying, as these can change.

How to Register a Trademark for Your Clothing Line in the UK

Trademark registration in the UK is handled by the Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).

Step 1: Search Existing Trademarks

Before you apply, check the UKIPO Trade Mark Database to confirm your brand name or logo isn't too similar to something already registered. A similar existing trademark in the same class will likely result in rejection, or worse, a legal dispute with the existing owner.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

You can apply directly through the UKIPO website. You'll need to specify which classes your trademark covers. For fashion brands, Class 25 covers clothing, footwear, and headgear. Class 18 covers bags and leather goods if relevant to your brand.

Step 3: Wait for Examination

Once submitted, your application goes through examination. The UKIPO checks whether it meets the requirements for registration. This stage typically takes two to three weeks.

Step 4: Publication and Opposition Window

If the application passes examination, it's published in the Trade Marks Journal. This opens a two-month window during which anyone can oppose the registration. If no opposition is raised, the trademark is registered.

Step 5: Registration Confirmed

Once registration is confirmed, you'll receive your certificate and can start using the ® symbol. Your trademark is then valid for ten years, after which it can be renewed.

The full process from application to registration typically takes four to six months, longer if an objection is raised.

Trademarking Your Clothing Brand Internationally

A UK trademark only protects you in the UK. If you're selling to customers in Europe, the US, or elsewhere, you'll need to consider international protection.

The WIPO Madrid System lets you file a single international application to seek protection across up to 132 countries. You can apply through the UKIPO or directly via WIPO. The UKIPO route carries an additional £40 admin fee on top of the WIPO fees.

International trademark fees start from 653 Swiss francs at the time of writing, which is roughly £575, though exchange rates can shift this figure. Check the WIPO fee calculator for an accurate total before applying.

What Won't Get Accepted as a Trademark

Not everything qualifies. Your application will be rejected if the trademark:

• Contains offensive or inflammatory words or imagery
• Is misleading to customers, for example using the word "handmade" for mass-produced items
• Resembles national flags, state symbols, or official hallmarks
• Is too similar to an existing registered trademark in the same class
• Is purely descriptive of the product, for example "Blue Jeans Co" for a denim brand

Doing a thorough trademark search before applying significantly reduces the risk of rejection.

Who Enforces My Trademark?

Registering a trademark doesn't mean the UKIPO will monitor the market on your behalf. Enforcement is your responsibility. That means watching out for infringements, reporting them through local trading standards services, and taking legal action when necessary.

Larger fashion companies typically employ specialist intellectual property solicitors for this. If you're a smaller brand, knowing your rights and having the trademark registered is the most important first step. You can't take meaningful action against infringers without it.

Getting Your Clothing Business Set Up Properly

Trademarking is one part of building a legitimate fashion business. You'll also need to think about your company structure, how you're registered with HMRC, and whether you should set up as a limited company.

Register your company with Companies MadeSimple and handle the business admin so you can focus on the creative side.

FAQs

Why should I trademark my clothing line?

A trademark gives you the legal right to take action against anyone using your brand name, logo, or distinctive design elements without permission. In fashion, where copying is common, it's one of the most practical protections available. Without it, proving ownership and pursuing infringers is significantly harder.

How much does it cost to trademark a clothing brand in the UK?

A standard online application costs £205 for one class of goods. Each additional class costs £60. Class 25 covers clothing, footwear, and headgear. If your brand extends to accessories or bags, you'll need to add further classes. Professional fees if you use a solicitor are separate.

How long does UK trademark registration take?

The full process typically takes four to six months. The examination stage usually takes two to three weeks, followed by a two-month opposition window. If someone opposes the application, the process takes longer. Check the UKIPO website for current processing times before you apply.

Can I trademark a specific design or just my logo?

You can trademark logos, brand names, slogans, sounds, and distinctive colours. Specific artistic designs on garments are often better protected by design rights or copyright rather than a trademark. For most clothing brands, protecting the logo and brand name is the priority.

How do I check if my brand name is already trademarked?

Search the UKIPO Trade Mark Database before applying. Look specifically in Class 25 for existing trademarks that are identical or very similar to yours. If something similar already exists, your application could be rejected or challenged.

Does a UK trademark cover me internationally?

No. A UK trademark only provides protection within the UK. If you're selling overseas, the WIPO Madrid System lets you apply for protection across up to 132 countries through a single application, either via the UKIPO or directly through WIPO.

What's the difference between TM and ®?

TM can be used by anyone to indicate they consider something their trademark, even without formal registration. ® can only be used once the trademark is officially registered with a national IP office. Using ® without a valid registration is a criminal offence in the UK.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Trademark fees, processes, and eligibility criteria can change. Always check the latest guidance on the UKIPO website before making an application, and consider seeking advice from a qualified intellectual property solicitor if you need support with the process.