About Us

The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys is the professional body representing those qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and other intellectual property rights - in particular, registered designs - both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark attorneys and all UK trade mark and design litigators.

ITMA was founded in 1934 by British trade mark professionals to represent their collective goals of ensuring that those practising in trade mark law are qualified to the highest standards, that the importance of trade marks to business is continually promoted and to influence the development of trade mark law at home and abroad.

The Institute has approximately 500 practising members. It extends associate membership to professionals in related fields of law, to students and to foreign trade mark attorneys. Its total membership is about 1,600, primarily in the United Kingdom and Europe, and in more than 50 other countries.

ITMA is regularly consulted by the UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), the EU Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond.

We continue to try and shape trade mark law and practice for the benefit of the trade mark owners. This includes lobbying on proposed changes to law and practice wherever we feel the interests of trade mark owners are likely to be affected.

We have an annual meeting with OHIM to discuss practice and keep pressure on our government to work with other states in eradicating counterfeiting. In appreciation of the international aspects of our profession and membership, we host an annual international conference in London each year and an autumn conference in Europe to debate the key developments in trade mark practice around the world.

The work of ITMA is administered by its elected officers, a range of committees and a central office manned by permanent staff based in Croydon. The ITMA Review is the Institute’s in-house publication, which is sent to members monthly.

Our members

All professional bodies will claim to set rigorous standards for their members and we are no different. We require our members to be masters of not only UK national law and practice but also those of OHIM in the European Union and the international WIPO conventions and treaties.

Our requirements do not stop there. Our members must also pass examinations in the procedures of over 20 other countries. Once qualified, members must comply with our compulsory Continued Professional Development programme to ensure that they are always aware of developments in their profession.

Domestically, there is a strong focus on the education and development of our members, including the setting of professional examinations, teaching programmes and the publication of reference works on UK and OHIM trade mark and design law and practice. The Institute has strong links with institutions such as the British Library and with publications such as Design Week, one of whose awards ITMA sponsors. Members enjoy each others’ company at events such as the Institute’s Christmas Lunch, Quiz Night, Summer Reception, and many other social occasions, and there is a good sense of community and support among the Student Members.

The Institute’s aims are:

• to ensure that all those admitted to practising membership possess the specialised knowledge and experience necessary in trade mark matters;
• to consider proposed legislation affecting trade marks;
• to arrange lectures for the assistance and technical instruction of members; and
• to promote just and honourable practice in the conduct of the trade mark profession.

To view the Institute's full Aims & Objects, please click here.

ITMA members can:

• carry out searches to see whether others have registered or are using the proposed mark or one confusingly similar;
• advise on which services are needed to provide adequate cover at the least cost;
• advise in which countries to seek registration and whether filing by international convention or European Community regulation would be appropriate;
• file applications worldwide as well as in the UK; and
• file applications for Community Trade Marks for applicants throughout the world.

PDF documents can be viewed with Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader and many other programs.

• About Us
  • Officers & Committees
  • Key Staff
  • Join Us
  • Contact Information
  • Code of Practice
  • Memorandum & Articles of Association
  • Annual Reports

• Members' Home

Find a Local Trade Mark Expert

Find your nearest Trade Mark expert using the options below: