Figures released by professional services firm RPC reveal that there was a 20% increase in the number of new trade marks registered for beer in the UK last year. 

RPC suggests that the increase can be attributed to the "craft beer boom", thereby highlighting the often close relationship between consumer trends and the registration landscape.

I can't help but also wonder how big of a role social media and online advertising has played in the proliferation of registrations With companies and individuals able to use the power of the internet to gain greater exposure for their products and brands, it is now increasingly important for the intellectual property in them to be protected.