If you file a trade mark application, whether through a firm of solicitors or independently, you must be aware of various scams which currently operate.

Scrupulous conmen study the trade mark journals (both UK and EU) and send false invoices to the owners of pending trade marks claiming to offer compulsory additional services or even, stating that the payment in needed to register the mark.

These are all scams.

If you use an agent – all invoices will come directly from that agent. If not – all invoices will come directly from the UK Intellectual Property Office or The Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market.

So many people are caught out by this scam every day – do not be one of them.