Why Trade Mark Disputes Are Exploding Across the UK

From global brands battling over logos to small independent businesses protecting their names, trade mark disputes are becoming increasingly common across the UK. While many of the highest-profile legal battles involve household names, experts say the trend is affecting businesses of every size, including those across Newcastle and the wider North East.

The recent High Court dispute involving Premier Inn and Insomnia Cookies has once again shone a spotlight on the growing importance of intellectual property. Although the case has yet to be decided, it has highlighted just how valuable branding has become in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

For businesses launching in Newcastle, protecting a name or logo is no longer something reserved for multinational companies. It has become an essential part of building a successful brand.

More businesses are registering trade marks.

One of the biggest reasons trade mark disputes are increasing is simple. More businesses are registering them than ever before.

According to the UK Intellectual Property Office, 173,180 trade mark applications were filed during 2024. That represented a 5.8 percent increase compared with the previous year and was the second highest annual total ever recorded. Trade mark registrations also rose by 9.1 percent, reaching 156,596 during the year.

With more businesses seeking legal protection for their brands, the chances of two companies choosing similar names, logos or branding naturally increase.

That often leads to legal disputes before a business has even fully established itself.

Branding has become a valuable business asset.

A company's logo is no longer just a design on a shop front.

It appears on websites, delivery apps, social media platforms, merchandise and advertising campaigns, making brand recognition one of the most valuable commercial assets many businesses own.

Consumers often make purchasing decisions in seconds, meaning colours, fonts, symbols and logos all play a role in attracting customers.

That explains why businesses are increasingly prepared to spend significant sums protecting their intellectual property if they believe another company could create confusion.

Legal specialists say courts do not simply compare two logos side by side. Instead, judges consider the overall impression a brand creates and whether consumers could mistakenly believe two businesses are commercially connected.

Newcastle's growing business scene brings new challenges.

The issue is particularly relevant in Newcastle, where hundreds of new businesses launch every year across hospitality, retail, technology and professional services.

The city has become one of the North East's leading destinations for entrepreneurs, with innovation hubs, university spin-out companies and independent retailers continuing to expand.

Businesses that begin locally often find themselves trading nationally through e-commerce, making brand protection far more important than it was a decade ago.

Many start-ups register a company name through Companies House only to discover later that someone else owns the trade mark.

The two systems are entirely separate, meaning registering a limited company does not automatically give exclusive rights to a business name.

The North East is becoming more innovative.

The North East continues to develop as an innovation economy.

Data published by the North East Evidence Hub shows there were approximately 1,831 registered trade marks across the region in 2021, while Newcastle remains the area's strongest location for highly innovative businesses.

Meanwhile, UK Intellectual Property Office figures show patent applications from North East applicants increased by 7 percent during 2024, suggesting businesses across the region continue investing in innovation and new ideas.

As more businesses create original products, services and brands, intellectual property naturally becomes more valuable and more likely to be defended.

Social media has made disputes more visible.

Trade mark disagreements are not necessarily happening more often simply because companies have become more aggressive.

Social media means disputes that might once have remained between lawyers are now discussed publicly within hours.

Consumers frequently compare logos, comment on branding similarities and debate whether businesses have copied one another.

That increased public attention can encourage businesses to act more quickly if they believe their intellectual property is at risk.

For smaller firms, failing to challenge a similar brand early can become far more expensive later if the competing business grows rapidly.

What businesses can learn.

For Newcastle businesses considering launching a new brand, legal experts generally recommend checking the UK trade mark register before investing in signage, websites, marketing or packaging.

Applying for a trade mark at an early stage is often considerably cheaper than defending a legal dispute after a business has become established.

It is also worth remembering that disputes do not always end up in court.

Many are resolved through negotiations, licensing agreements or changes to branding before a judge ever hears the case.

An issue that will keep growing.

Trade marks have become one of the most valuable forms of intellectual property in today's economy.

As online shopping, food delivery, digital marketing and social media continue expanding, businesses are placing greater value on names, logos and visual identity than ever before.

With record numbers of trade mark applications being filed across the UK and Newcastle continuing to attract ambitious new businesses, legal experts expect branding disputes to remain an increasingly common feature of the commercial landscape for years to come.

Join the conversation.

Should Newcastle businesses do more to protect their brands?