Question 1

What is the difference between trade mark monitoring and enforcement?

Accepted Answer

Trade mark monitoring is our proactive watching service that alerts clients when potentially conflicting marks are filed. Enforcement is the action taken after a conflict is identified — such as filing an opposition, sending cease and desist letters, or pursuing legal action. NBR Trade Mark Monitoring handles the monitoring side; our team at National Business Register can also assist with enforcement if needed.

Question 2

Is trade mark monitoring legally required?

Accepted Answer

No, trade mark monitoring is not legally mandatory. However, trade mark owners have a responsibility to protect their marks — failure to act against infringers can weaken rights over time. We recommend monitoring as a best practice for any business serious about brand protection.

Question 3

Who is this service designed for?

Accepted Answer

Our service is designed for UK trade mark owners and SMEs with a portfolio of registered trade marks. Whether you hold a single mark or manage dozens, we provide the tools to keep your brands protected. We also support in-house legal teams, IP managers, and growing businesses expanding their brand portfolio.

Question 4

What trade marks can we monitor?

Accepted Answer

We can monitor any UK registered trade mark or pending application. This includes word marks, logos, and combined marks. Clients can import directly from UK IPO data or add marks manually through the dashboard.

Question 5

How often are trade marks monitored?

Accepted Answer

We scan the UK IPO journal weekly when new publications are released.

Question 6

What happens if a conflicting trade mark is found?

Accepted Answer

We send an instant alert with a detailed similarity analysis. Clients can review the application in their dashboard, consult with our trade mark specialists for advice, and if appropriate, we can assist with filing a formal opposition within the 2-month deadline.

Question 7

How quickly will we alert clients to potential conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Alerts are generated immediately after our weekly scan of new UK IPO journal publications. For urgent matters, clients can also run manual scans at any time through their dashboard.

Question 8

What types of similarity does the system detect?

Accepted Answer

Our pattern-based analysis detects identical marks, confusingly similar names, phonetic similarities (marks that sound alike), visual similarities (logo comparisons), conceptual similarities (marks with similar meanings), and conflicts within relevant goods and services classifications.

Question 9

Which registries does the service currently cover?

Accepted Answer

We currently provide full monitoring coverage for the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO). This includes all new trade mark applications and publications in the UK IPO journal.

Question 10

Are new registries coming soon?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are actively working on expanding our coverage to include the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). We will announce availability dates as these integrations are finalised. Existing clients will be notified first.

Question 11

Will adding EU or international coverage affect my pricing?

Accepted Answer

Each registry will be priced separately. UK IPO monitoring pricing remains as listed. When EUIPO and WIPO coverage becomes available, we will publish dedicated pricing for those registries. Clients will be able to choose which registries to monitor based on their needs.

Question 12

If I need UK and EU coverage, will my pricing double?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. While each registry is priced independently, we plan to offer bundled pricing for clients who monitor across multiple registries. Our aim is to make comprehensive coverage accessible and cost-effective. Details will be shared when EU coverage launches.

Question 13

How does volume-based pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Our pricing rewards portfolio-wide protection. The more trade marks you monitor, the lower the per-mark cost. We offer tiered discounts: 10% off for 2-5 marks, 20% off for 6-10 marks, and 30% off for 11+ marks. The discounted rate applies to all marks in the portfolio, not just additional ones.

Question 14

Can we cancel our subscription at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, clients can cancel their subscription at any time with no penalty. Access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Question 15

Is there an annual payment option?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer a further 10% discount for clients who choose to pay annually in advance. This is calculated on top of any volume-based discount, providing the best possible value.

Question 16

Do we offer support if a client needs to oppose an application?

Accepted Answer

Yes. National Business Register has over 40 years of IP expertise. We offer free initial consultations to discuss opposition strategies and enforcement options. Our team can handle the entire opposition process on behalf of clients if required.

Question 17

How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is straightforward. Complete our intake form with your trade mark details, and our team will set up your monitoring account. We also offer free demonstrations — book a session to see the platform in action before committing.

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