![[Trademark registration guide] A complete tutorial on the process and costs of registering a trademark in Hong Kong](https://setuphk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/trademark-registration-1.jpg)
Table of contents
A Hong Kong trademark is registered by applying to the Intellectual Property Department and paying the fee. The application is then examined; if the documents are in order, it is published in the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Journal, and finally a trademark registration certificate is issued.
What is trademark registration?
A legally recognised identifying mark
“Trademark registration” is the legal process by which a business or individual applies to a government authority (such as the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department) for exclusive rights to use a brand name, logo or design they use.
Trademark registration is an important way to protect your brand and its market identity, so that your brand can be “recognised and protected” in the market.
The 3 common trademark statuses
In daily life you often see three symbols: “®”, “©” and “™”:
| Mark | Status | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| © C (Copyright) | Protected by copyright | Copyright notice symbol |
| TM (Trademark) | “Unregistered trademark” or “trademark application pending” | No legal protection; still at risk of being registered by someone else first |
| ® R (Registered) | Trademark successfully registered | Exclusive rights, together with an obligation to use the mark |
Trademark registration vs company registration vs business registration
Do I still need to register a trademark after registering a company?
Yes! Because companies and trademarks are governed by different laws and authorities.
The table below explains the three types of registration that people often confuse:
| Type | Authority | Key function |
|---|---|---|
| Trademark registration | Intellectual Property Department | Lets you “protect your brand” |
| Company registration | Companies Registry | Lets you “set up a company” |
| Business registration | Inland Revenue Department | Lets you “do business” |
Why register a trademark?
Prevent copying or counterfeiting by competitors
Without a registered trademark, anyone may use a name, logo or packaging design similar to your brand. If the other party registers first, you may instead be forced to rename, take products off the shelves, or even face an infringement lawsuit!
Registering a trademark is like putting a legal shield around your brand, so you can operate with peace of mind and without fear of being copied.
Build trust and brand image
A brand that has registered or applied for a trademark shows consumers that you are a professional, legitimate business. Whether you are working with suppliers, attracting investors or joining a major platform, a trademark registration certificate serves as evidence of your brand's strength.
This not only strengthens the company's brand equity but also gives the brand greater long-term competitiveness.
Hong Kong trademark registration process
Step 1. Submit an application to the IPD (Form T2)
Applicants can submit an application to the Intellectual Property Department through online or in writing. The form must include the following key information:
- Applicant's name and address
- Representation of the trademark (words or image)
- Classes of goods or services
- Contact person and representative details
Step 2. Examination by the Trade Marks Registry
An examiner checks whether the application is complete and accurate, and examines the trademark.
Step 3. Publication in the Journal
Once the application passes examination, the trademark is advertised for three months in the “Hong Kong Intellectual Property Journal”. Anyone may oppose the registration within three months of the date of publication of the application.
If no one files an opposition, or the approval is upheld after the opposition is dealt with, the application moves on to the final stage of grant.
Step 4. Receive the trademark registration certificate
Once the Registrar approves the trademark, its details are entered in the register and a registration certificate is issued to the applicant, confirming that the trademark has been registered.
How much does trademark registration cost? By application form
Fees depend on the application form, and each form serves a different purpose:
| Form number | Purpose of form | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Request for a search of the records / request for preliminary advice on whether a trademark can be registered | HK$400 |
| T2 | - Application to register a trademark or a series of trademarks - Application to register a defensive trademark | -HK$2,000 -HK$2,300 |
| T3 | - Request to divide an application (dividing the specification of goods / services) - Request to divide an application (dividing a series of marks) | HK$650 |
| T4 | 1. Request to merge applications 2. Request to merge separate registrations | – |
| T5 | Request to change name, address, address for service or agent's address | – |
| T5A | Request to amend an application | – |
| T5B | Request to amend the representation of a trademark / request to delete a mark from a series of trademarks | – |
| T6 | 1. Notice of opposition / objection 2. Application for revocation, declaration of invalidity, or alteration or correction of errors or omissions in the register 3. Application to intervene in revocation, invalidity, alteration or correction proceedings | HK$800 |
| T7 | Counter-statement | – |
| T8 | - Request for renewal of trademark registration - Late renewal fee - Request for restoration and renewal of trademark registration | -HK$2,670 -HK$500 -HK$4,000 |
| T9 | Surrender of a registered trademark | – |
| T10 | - Application or notice to register a registrable transaction (excluding licences) - Request to amend or delete registered details of a security interest | -HK$800 - Free |
| T11 | - Application or notice to register a licence - Request to amend or delete registered details of a licence | -HK$800 - Free |
| T12 | - Notice of intention to attend a hearing - Request for a statement of reasons | -HK$1,700 -HK$1,500 |
| T13 | Request for an extension of time | HK$200 |
| T14 | - Request for a copy - Request for a certified copy - Request for a certificate under section 79(2) of the Trade Marks Ordinance | - HK$6 per page - HK$150 each - HK$200 each |
Points to note when applying for a trademark
Conduct a trademark search before filing
Before filing, we recommend searching the “Trade Marks Register” to check whether a similar or identical trademark already exists, or using Form T1 to ask an examiner for preliminary advice, to avoid refusal of registration or infringement risks.
A trademark can be revoked if unused for three consecutive years
Under Hong Kong's “Trade Marks Ordinance”, section 52: “If a registered trademark has not been genuinely used in relation to goods or services for three consecutive years or more, anyone may apply to the Intellectual Property Department to revoke it.”
So even a successfully registered trademark may lose its protection if left idle for a long time.
If refused, you must make improvements within six months
If the examination results in a refusal, the applicant has six months to amend or supplement the application and resubmit it. Remedies include:
- Amending the representation of the trademark or removing the disputed elements
- Adjusting the classes of goods / services
- Providing supplementary documents or legal explanations
If no adjustment is made during this period, the application lapses and you will need to pay the fees and apply again. So after receiving the “notice of examination opinion”, consult a professional as soon as possible and complete the document amendments.
FAQ
How long does the Hong Kong trademark registration process take?
From filing the application to receiving the registration certificate takes roughly 6 to 9 months. The actual time depends on whether the application documents are complete, whether supplementary documents or amendments are needed, and whether anyone files an opposition during the publication period.
Do you have to register a trademark when you set up a company?
Not necessarily! Company registration and trademark registration are two entirely separate systems governed by different laws and regulations.
Company registration only lets you “set up a lawful company”; it does not give you exclusive rights to the brand name. Trademark registration lets you “lawfully protect your company's image and name”, making the trademark the company's exclusive property.
Can I apply for a trademark myself?
Yes. Hong Kong's trademark registration system is open to individuals and companies to apply directly.
Is a logo the same as a trademark?
No. A “logo” is a brand's visual design (such as typeface, graphics and colours) and is not protected by law; a “trademark” is a distinguishing sign that, once registered under the law, is legally protected.
How long is a trademark valid?
A registered trademark in Hong Kong is valid for 10 years. Before it expires you can apply for renewal, and each renewal extends the registration by a further 10 years.
If it is not renewed within the time limit, the trademark lapses, but you can still apply for restoration within 6 months after expiry (for an additional fee). We recommend setting a reminder in advance so that you do not miss the renewal deadline through oversight.
Can a trademark be assigned?
Yes. Simply file Form T10 with the IPD and pay the fee to complete the assignment. However, you do not have to transfer full ownership; you can clearly define the scope of the licence and the conditions of use, to avoid legal disputes later.
Can every sign be registered successfully?
No. Not every sign can be registered. A trademark must be distinctive and capable of identifying the goods or services, and must not be confusingly similar to an existing registered trademark.
Can I register my brand mark in several countries or regions at the same time?
Yes. A business can protect its brand mark through the international system, or by filing separately in each country.
What can I do if someone infringes my trademark rights?
You can send the infringer a warning letter or bring legal proceedings, asking for the infringement to stop and possibly claiming damages.
What does the “opposition period” in the trademark registration process mean?
The opposition period is the set period after a trademark has been accepted and published, during which anyone may object. If there is no opposition, the trademark is formally approved.
Can I register several different trademarks in one go?
Each separate trademark design, logo or name must be filed separately; a single application cannot cover several different trademarks.
Not sure how to apply to register a trademark? SetupHK provides professional trademark registration services
Although the trademark registration process is clear, in practice it still involves details such as logo design, class selection, document preparation and legal judgement. If handled improperly, the application may be delayed or refused.
The SetupHK team has years of experience and will save you manpower and time. We will accompany you through document preparation, classification of goods and services, examination and publication, to make sure your application is completed successfully. Book a consultation now and give your brand solid legal protection.
