The UK’s trademark registry has reached a significant milestone, celebrating 150 years since the first trademark was registered on January 1, 1876.
To mark this landmark anniversary, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has launched a public vote inviting the IP community to select what they consider to be the most iconic UK trademark of the past century and a half.
The registry has grown substantially since its inception, now protecting more than 2.5 million trademarks across the UK.
The very first registration, famously secured by brewers Bass & Co on New Year’s Day 1876, was the company’s distinctive red triangle – a mark that remains in use to this day.
UKIPO Chief Executive Officer Adam Williams commented on the anniversary: “One hundred and fifty years ago, the Bass red triangle became the first registered trademark in the UK. Today, the UK IPO protects over 2.5 million marks—each one representing a business’s identity and its promise to customers.
“This anniversary is a chance to reflect on how trade marks have evolved alongside British commerce, from hand-painted signs to the digital sound and motion marks of today. We’re inviting the IP community to join us in celebrating this milestone by voting for the most iconic UK trademark. Whether it’s a household name or a hidden gem that changed the game, we want to hear which marks you think have stood the test of time, and why they matter to you.”
The evolution of trademark law has kept pace with technological advancement. In 2019, changes to legislation enabled the registration of multimedia motion marks, holograms, and sound marks via digital file submissions – unimaginable at the time, a hand-painted brewery insignia marked the launch of the registry 150 years ago.
Practitioners and IP professionals are encouraged to participate in the vote and share their perspectives on what makes a trademark truly iconic in the British commercial landscape by January 31, 2026.
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