Statutory guidance

E-directions: File types and file sizes for trade mark applications

Published 20 February 2023

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/file-types-and-file-sizes-for-trade-mark-applications/e-directions-file-types-and-file-sizes-for-trade-mark-applications

Introduction

1. The registrar has given the following directions under rule 78 of the Trade Marks Rules 2008 to specify the allowable file types and file sizes when providing representations for trade mark applications.

2. These directions come into force on 23 February 2023.

Interpretation

3. In these directions:

‘the Office’ means the Intellectual Property Office of the UK or, where appropriate, the registrar;

‘trade mark application’ means an application for registration of a trade mark under the Trade Marks Act;

‘the Trade Marks Act’ means the Trade Marks Act 1994 (as amended);

‘the Trade Marks Rules’ mean the Trade Marks Rules 2008 (as amended);

‘electronic file’ means a digital file containing the trade mark representation

Electronic file requirements

4. When a trade mark application is filed and an electronic file is submitted in order to represent a trade mark, the electronic file must comply with the following:

  • visual representations (including colour only or pattern) - must be in a single JPG or JFIF format file not exceeding 4 MB in size
  • sound recordings - must be in a single MP3 format file not exceeding 2 MB in size, or in a single JPG or JFIF format file not exceeding 4 MB in size
  • motion or holograms - must be in a single MP4 format file not exceeding 20 MB in size, or in a single JPG or JFIF format file not exceeding 4 MB in size
  • multimedia recordings - must be in a single MP4 format file not exceeding 20 MB in size
  • 3D representations - must be in a single OBJ, STL, X3D format file not exceeding 20 MB in size, or up to six JPG or JFIF format files not exceeding 4 MB in size combined

5. Electronic files which do not comply with paragraph 4 may be treated as not having been delivered to the office.

Illegible or incomplete documents and infected files

6. Where part or all of an electronic file is illegible or incomplete, the whole file shall be treated as not delivered.

7. Where an electronic file is reported as having a virus (or other malicious software) by the Office’s virus checking software, the file will be treated as not delivered.

8. Where a document is treated as not complying with these directions, provided the user can be identified, they shall be notified of this fact by the Office.

Oliver Morris

Acting on behalf of the Registrar
8 February 2023

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