The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys

05/04/2026

As we tuck into chocolate eggs and enjoy the long bank holiday weekend, it’s the perfect time to reflect on something a little unexpected… trade marks 💡

From innovative treats to iconic seasonal branding, there’s a whole world of trade mark strategy working behind the scenes to help products stand out on the shelves this Easter 🍫 🐰

Take a look at our blog to discover how you can take an “eggscellent” approach to protecting your brand – whether you’re launching a new product, building a brand, or looking to stay ahead in a competitive market 👇

What better way to get into the mood for overindulging in chocolate eggs and hot cross buns than to consider the many types of intellectual property (IP) and surrounding rights that underpin our Easter Eggstravaganza?

13/03/2026

150 years on from the first, trade marks are more valuable than ever 🔺📈

Today, markets are more crowded, brands operate globally, and digital platforms have created both opportunity and risk 🤖💻

From classification systems to the challenges of online enforcement and AI, trade marks now sit at the heart of business strategy in ways that would have been unimaginable 150 years ago 💡

🔍 Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Alexandra Nott explores how trade marks have evolved and why they're even more important in today's business environment 👇

Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Alexandra Nott explores some of the reasons that trade mark protection remains crucial in today’s business environment.

13/02/2026

Why was Bass Brewery so determined to secure the very first UK trade mark back in 1876? 🔺🍺

Even then, copycat products and imitation labels were a real problem. Registering their famous red triangle wasn’t just a milestone moment – it gave them clear proof of ownership, exclusive rights to use the mark, and the legal power to stop competitors 🛡️

⏩ Fast forward 150 years and that red triangle is still registered, still recognisable and still in use. It’s a great reminder that protecting your brand isn’t just a formality – it’s a long-term business asset 💡

🔍 Our latest blog explores the story behind the first UK trade mark and some of the early brands that followed. Can you guess which other iconic names were among the earliest registrants? 🤔

Read more here 👇

As UK trade marks celebrate 150 years, the story of Bass reveals how a single registration transformed branding, protection, and commercial rivalry forever.

22/01/2026

🎉 Celebrating 150 years of UK trade marks 🎉

💡 Did you know the UK’s very first trade mark was registered 150 years ago, secured by Bass Brewery on 1st January 1876 ®️

As businesses and technology have evolved, one thing has stayed the same: the importance of protecting your brand. From names and logos to reputation and trust, trade marks remain a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes ✨

Our latest blog explores the history of trade marks, why they still matter today, and what the future could hold for brands and business owners alike 🔮

Read more here 👇

This year marks 150 years since the establishment of the UK’s Trade Mark Registry and the first grant of a registered trade mark.

24/12/2025

🎬 From the big screen to big business - what can films like Barbie, James Bond and Harry Potter teach us about business growth? 📈

It turns out, a lot. Trade marks help turn creative ideas into long-term commercial success, well beyond the box office 🍿

💬 As our latest blog explains: “Toys, theme parks, clothing, video games, food products and books all form part of merchandising strategies that enable fans to engage more deeply with films while generating vast additional revenue.”

Read the full blog here ✨👇

Beyond box-office revenue, the film industry relies on additional income streams to fully capitalise on its assets and bring cinematic universes to life.

22/12/2025

🎶 “Holidays are coming!” One glimpse of the iconic Coca-Cola truck on TV and everyone knows Christmas can’t be far behind 🎄✨

From Coca-Cola’s long-standing ties to Santa Claus to Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot 🎅🥕 food and drink brands steal the seasonal spotlight by creating campaigns we remember year after year ⭐

🎁 Unwrap the story in our latest blog 👇

This holiday season, Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Craig Beaumont reflects on iconic food and drink campaigns and reveals the IP secrets behind their success.

19/12/2025

⚡ Even superheroes need brand protection 🦸‍♀️

Marvel and DC have given us some epic battles over the years, but both lost trade mark rights when the term “super hero” became too generic. A plot twist no one saw coming 💥

In the trade mark world, this is known as 'genericide'. Read our latest blog to learn how to keep your brand protected 👇🛡️

How comic-book publishing companies Marvel and DC lost their US trade marks for “superhero”.

17/12/2025

What’s the real superpower behind the world’s biggest franchises? 🦸‍♂️🪄

Spoiler: it’s not the special effects 💥

🎬 From brand identity to merchandising and collaborations, strong IP protection helps franchises grow far beyond their first release 🚀

👇 Click through our carousel below to find out more and read the full article here: https://shorturl.at/i08Ea

15/12/2025

🎬 From the characters we quote to the worlds we instantly recognise, intellectual property helps protect what makes stories distinctive ✨

In our latest video, Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Carl Steele and Barrister, Jonathan Hill unpack the recent legal case surrounding the much-loved Only Fools and Horses 📺⚖️

Watch the full video on our film & TV hub 👇

🔗 https://shorturl.at/4NjEu

10/12/2025

⏰ As 2023 came to an end, so too did the copyright protection for the original 1928 version of Mickey Mouse, featured in Steamboat Willie 🐭🎬

But does that mean he’s truly free to use? 🤔

Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Lucy Walker explains what has - and hasn’t - changed since then, and what this means for the iconic Disney character's future 💡

🔍 Get the full story below 👇

As 2023 came to a close, so too did the copyright protection afforded to the earliest version of Mickey Mouse.

09/12/2025

🎥 Product placement is shaping how brands show up on screen like never before - from James Bond’s Omega watches to Peter 'Maverick’ Mitchell's Ray-Bans in Top Gun 👓💥

But with big exposure comes big responsibility ⚖️

Who approves the placement? What IP rights are at play? And what happens when a brand gets portrayed in the wrong light?

Find out in our latest blog below ✨👇

From James Bond’s Omega watches to Peter ‘Maverick’ Mitchell’s Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses in Top Gun, the integration of real-world products into fictional narratives has evolved into a sophisticated marketing strategy.