Warning

Information from the UK Intellectual Property Office

Unsolicited Mail About Unofficial Registration Services

Numerous applicants and trade mark and patent proprietors have informed the UK Intellectual Property Office that companies (firms and/or individuals) using names, abbreviations or emblems that appear to be "official" have been inviting them to register trade marks and patents in registers or publications in return for payment of an invoice for corresponding fees. These registers are unofficial.

These companies send out letters resembling invoices to those whose trade mark and patent applications have appeared in recent official journals. The letters offer, in return for a fee, 'registration' of certain information.

The Community Trade Mark Office (oami.europa.eu), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (www.wipo.int) and the European Patent Office (www.european-patent-office.org) have examples of these invoices on their websites.

You should be aware that these companies are not linked to any patent or trade mark office. Furthermore, as the services they are offering are not official services, there is no obligation to pay.

The only Offices which are able to provide legal protection for patents, designs and trade marks in the UK are the UK Intellectual Property Office itself, the European Patent Office, the Community Trade Mark Office (more formally the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs)), and the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

If you receive a letter or invoice, check carefully to see exactly what services it is offering you, and whether it comes from an official source such as those listed above. If you are in any doubt, please check with your Trade Mark or Patent Attorney or contact the UK Intellectual Property Office.

Issued by the UK Intellectual Property Office, July 2007

Last updated: 05 August 2007