The international brand protection landscape is shifting in 2026. For companies scaling across borders or managing multi-jurisdictional IP portfolios, this means stricter procedures, closer scrutiny and new government fees. For this reason, below is a breakdown of four regional updates that corporate legal teams and executives should review now.
United Kingdom: official trademark fees go up
To start with, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has made its first major fee adjustment in over a decade.
What changed. The online application fee for a single-class trademark has risen from £170 to £205. Other fees have moved as well:
- each additional class: from £50 to £60;
- trademark renewal: from £200 to £245;
- opposition and revocation proceedings: up by approximately 25%.
Business impact. Budgets that ignore these increases may fall short. In addition, a missed renewal window can mean lost priority rights or an inadvertent lapse of UK protection. So it is worth updating forecasts and renewal calendars now.
United States: stricter domicile rules and AI specimen audits
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has stepped up its verification process. The aim is to combat fraudulent filings and improper representation by non-US entities.
- Domicile enforcement. Virtual offices, mail-forwarding services and co-working spaces are formally barred as legal (domicile) addresses. Foreign applicants must give a verifiable physical business address. They must also retain qualified US-licensed counsel.
- Specimen audits. Examiners are issuing Office Actions against digital mockups. Likewise, AI-generated packaging or website screenshots filed as proof of use (specimens) draw the same response.
Business impact. A non-compliant address or a synthetic specimen triggers an immediate refusal. In the worst case, it risks permanent abandonment of the application.
European Union: updated guidelines for 3D and functional marks
The updated EUIPO Guidelines for Examination refine the standards for non-traditional trademarks.
What changed. As a result, the office is looking harder at three-dimensional (3D) marks, such as product shapes, packaging or container designs. A shape will be refused under absolute grounds (Article 7(1)(e) EUTMR) in two cases. First, the shape is necessary to obtain a technical result. Second, it gives substantial value to the goods. In both cases, evidence of acquired distinctiveness does not help.
Business impact. Protecting a functional design through trademark law will lead to a definitive refusal. Instead, registered design rights or patents are the right tools.
Canada: instant online verification and faster examination
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) has advanced its digital services to streamline brand protection.
What changed. CIPO launched an online Confirmation of Trademark Registration service. Brand owners can now instantly verify the legal status of Canadian registrations across WIPO and national registries. Meanwhile, CIPO has sped up examination by optimising pre-approved item selections from the Canadian Goods and Services Manual.
Business impact. The tool also protects against fraudulent “directory” invoices. Finance and legal teams can check the legitimacy of a Canadian trademark demand in real time.
A note for corporate counsel
Overall, managing a global trademark portfolio takes proactive adaptation to regional changes. Our IP & Corporate Practice helps international businesses audit cross-border portfolios. We also help structure accurate legal budgets under the new UKIPO rates. In addition, we guide clients through strict USPTO compliance to prevent administrative refusals.
Contact our IP & Corporate Team today to safeguard your brand assets across international markets.