Welcome to CITMA
Founded in 1934, chartered in 2016, The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) is a professional membership organisation with the power to shape law and practice - nationally and internationally. Find out more
What is a trade mark?
Find out how a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney will help you to navigate intellectual property law.
What is a trade mark?
Learn why trade marks are valuable business assets.
Getting a trade mark
How can you get a trade mark - we take you through the process step-by-step.
Find a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney
Use our directory to find intellectual property legal experts.
For the IP profession:
CITMA blog
Read fascinating and entertaining insight into intellectual property.
Can a country name be a trade mark?
To what extent can the name of a country, like Sweden, actually be a trade mark which can be registered and protected?
How to secure the IP of your food and drink brand
The food and drink sector is a thriving busy marketplace, to help new entrants to this vibrant space we have put together a start to finish guide on the stages of securing IP for a new product – what you can protect and how.
The legal tightrope of brand mimicry by discount supermarkets
Discount supermarkets often sail close to the wind – what do recent trade mark disputes tell us about what is acceptable?
Food and drink brands: How descriptive is too descriptive?
Businesses sometimes look to adopt descriptive or generic terms for their new brand names in order to avoid infringing existing trade mark rights owned by others – however, this isn’t a risk-free approach.
Upcoming events
Earn CPD and network with the IP profession at our events.
Case comments
Read analysis from recent trade mark cases.
Take two
There can be good reason to argue dual grounds, suggests Maya Muchemwa. O/1030/24, Baraqah Ltd v G & G Srl, UK IPO.
Who’s the boss?
Impressive evidence established the answer, writes Julia King. O/1028/24, Gym Boss Ltd v Hugo Boss Trade Mark Management GmbH & Co KG, UK IPO.
On the straight and narrow
The UK’s highest court brought closure to a persistent conflict, reports Antony Yerasimou. [2024] UKSC 36, SkyKick UK Ltd and another v Sky Ltd and others, Supreme Court.
Pet insurers put up a fight
Sarah Neil summarises a case that gives ‘paws’ for thought. [2024] EWCA Civ 1103, TVIS Ltd v Howserv Services Ltd and others, Court of Appeal.
News
Read the latest news and features.
Trans and non-binary toolkit published
IP Inclusive's IP Out community has launched a comprehensive Trans Toolkit to help us and other IP organisations create more supportive environments for transgender and non-binary professionals.
CITMA Council election results 2025
Congratulations to the members who have been elected to sit on our governing Council, following recent elections.
New pledge launched to boost diversity and inclusion efforts
IP Inclusive recently launched a new version of its Senior Leaders’ Pledge, tailored to in-house IP professionals, to continue driving positive change across the industry.
CITMA Spring Conference 2025 photo gallery
View a selection of photos from our Spring Conference, held at The Waldorf Hilton, and our inaugural Spring Party at London's Sky Garden.