From 01 October 2009 the UK Intellectual Property Office has introduced its new 'Right Start' service.
The right start service is offered as an alternative to the existing standard application. Essentially the new service allows applicants to file the application and pay only half of the total fee (at its current cost). The applicant therefore pays £100.00 initially (and £25.00 for each class above 1)
For this fee the UK Intellectual Property Office will examine the application and issue its usual examination report. This will highlight any problems of objections with the application and any similar marks that have been identified. The applicant can then choose at this point whether they drop the application or continue to publication (pending resolution of any objections). If the applicant decides to drop the application no more fees will be incurred. However if the applicant chooses to continue with the application it will be required to pay the remaining amount (i.e. £100.00 and £25.00 for each class above 1). The extra fees must be paid within 14 days of the examination report.
The idea of such a change is to allow, in particular, start up businesses and individuals to file an application with reduced risk and exposure.
From 01 October 2009 the UK Intellectual Property Office has introduced its new 'Right Start' service.
The right start service is offered as an alternative to the existing standard application. Essentially the new service allows applicants to file the application and pay only half of the total fee (at its current cost). The applicant therefore pays £100.00 initially (and £25.00 for each class above 1)
For this fee the UK Intellectual Property Office will examine the application and issue its usual examination report. This will highlight any problems of objections with the application and any similar marks that have been identified. The applicant can then choose at this point whether they drop the application or continue to publication (pending resolution of any objections). If the applicant decides to drop the application no more fees will be incurred. However if the applicant chooses to continue with the application it will be required to pay the remaining amount (i.e. £100.00 and £25.00 for each class above 1). The extra fees must be paid within 14 days of the examination report.
The idea of such a change is to allow, in particular, start up businesses and individuals to file an application with reduced risk and exposure.