The price of a trademark often surprises business owners for two opposite reasons. Some expect the process to cost thousands of dollars from the start. Others see a low filing fee and assume that registration is little more than filling out an online form.
Reality sits somewhere in the middle. If you’re asking, “How much does it cost to trademark a business name?” know the answer depends on more than a government filing fee. Application costs can vary based on the number of trademarks involved, the goods or services covered, preparation work completed before filing, and whether legal issues arise during review.
Misra Trademark Counsel helps businesses navigate trademark registration with fixed-fee pricing, practical guidance, and direct attorney support. Our team works closemly with clients to identify potential issues before filing, protect valuable brands, and help avoid mistakes that can increase costs later in the process.
Have a New Business and Wondering, “How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Business Name?” Misra Trademark Counsel Has Answers
The total trademark registration cost depends on more than just a single filing fee. USPTO fees vary based on the number of classes in the application, the filing basis selected, whether additional filings become necessary, and the long-term maintenance requirements associated with registration. Here are several costs.
The Trademark Application Fee
The USPTO currently charges a base filing fee of $350 per class of goods or services.
Additional Classes
Each additional class requires an additional filing fee, so two classes generally cost $700 and three classes generally cost $1,050.
Intent-To-Use Filings
Businesses that have not yet begun using a trademark in commerce often incur additional filing requirements and fees before registration can be granted. The USPTO charges $150 per class to file either an Amendment to Allege Use or a Statement of Use. If the applicant needs more time after receiving a Notice of Allowance, each six-month extension request costs $125 per class.
USPTO Surcharges
Certain applications may trigger additional fees for insufficient information, custom goods-and-services descriptions, or lengthy free-form identifications. Certain applications may trigger additional fees for insufficient information, custom goods-and-services descriptions, or lengthy free-form identifications.
Using the free-form text box instead of selecting pre-approved wording from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual automatically adds a $200 per-class surcharge, bringing the initial government filing cost to $550 per class.
Each additional group of 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000 in a free-form identification incurs an additional $200 fee for the affected class. An attorney at Misra Trademark Counsel can help determine whether existing ID Manual language accurately covers the business’s goods or services and, when appropriate, draft a compliant identification that avoids unnecessary surcharges.
Maintenance and Renewal Filings
Registered trademarks require periodic filings and fees to remain active.
How the Number of Classes Affects Cost
The number of classes often has the greatest impact on cost. For example, a clothing company selling shirts, jackets, and hats may only need one class and pay a $350 filing fee. If that same company also offers custom apparel printing services, it would likely need protection in two classes, increasing the filing fee to $700.
Fees Between the Fifth and Sixth Year
Many applicants also overlook long-term maintenance expenses. Trademark owners must generally file maintenance documents between the fifth and sixth year after registration and again at regular intervals thereafter to keep a registration active.
The USPTO charges $325 per class for the required Section 8 Declaration of Use. Eligible trademark owners may also choose to file a Section 15 Declaration of Incontestability for an additional $250 per class. When filed together, the combined government filing fee is $575 per class.
Ten-Year Renewal Fees
Every ten years, trademark owners must generally file both a declaration of use (or excusable nonuse) and a renewal application. The current filing fees total $650 per class, meaning a registration covering two classes would require $1,300 in renewal fees every decade. As a result, the true cost of trademark registration often includes far more than the initial filing fee.
Careful planning and working with a skilled trademark attorney at Misra Trademark Counsel, early in the process can help business owners understand their total investment and avoid unexpected expenses later.
What Factors Affect Trademark Registration Cost?
Two businesses can file trademark applications on the same day and spend dramatically different amounts by the time the process ends. The difference often comes down to preparation, complexity, and whether problems arise during examination.
Several factors can influence overall trademark registration cost, including:
- Trademark availability. A conflict with an existing mark can require additional legal analysis or force a business to reconsider its branding strategy.
- Application accuracy. Mistakes, omissions, or poorly drafted descriptions can create additional work and expense.
- The number of goods and services. Broader protection often requires additional classes and higher filing fees.
- Office Actions. USPTO concerns may require legal research, supporting evidence, or formal responses.
- Opposition proceedings. A challenge from another trademark owner can significantly increase costs and extend the registration timeline.
For many businesses, the largest expense is not the filing fee itself. It is correcting avoidable problems after filing. Investing time in proper preparation can reduce both costs and frustration later in the process.
FAQs
What Is the USPTO Trademark Application Fee for Filing?
The USPTO currently charges a base trademark application fee of $350 per class of goods or services, meaning the total filing cost increases when a business seeks protection across multiple classes.
How Much Does a Trademark Attorney Charge to File a Trademark Application?
Attorney fees vary with the complexity of the application and the services provided. However, many business owners find that professional guidance helps reduce the risk of costly mistakes, delays, refusals, or abandoned applications.
Is It Cheaper to File a Trademark Yourself or Hire an Attorney?
A do-it-yourself filing may cost less upfront, but many applicants discover that correcting errors, responding to USPTO concerns, or addressing conflicts can ultimately cost more than proper guidance at the beginning of the process.
What Additional Costs Should I Expect After Filing a Trademark Application?
Depending on the filing basis and the issues that arise during examination, applicants may encounter additional costs for intent-to-use filings, Office Action responses, maintenance filings, and future trademark renewals.
Does Trademarking a Business Name in One State Protect It Nationwide?
No. State trademark registrations generally provide protection only within that state’s borders, while a federal trademark registration can provide significantly broader rights throughout the United States.
Is a Trademark Worth the Cost for a Small Business?
For many businesses, trademark protection represents an investment in the brand itself, helping protect customer goodwill, support future growth, and reduce the risk of disputes that could force a costly rebrand.
Get Answers Before You Invest in a Trademark
Understanding the cost of trademarking a business name involves more than just comparing USPTO filing fees. Factors such as application strategy, trademark availability, filing basis, and potential legal issues can all affect the total cost of protecting a brand.
Misra Trademark Counsel helps businesses make informed decisions before they invest. Unlike many discount filing services that simply provide forms or some traditional firms that may bill unpredictably, we offer direct attorney guidance and fixed-fee pricing that deliver both value and certainty.
Founded by an attorney with more than 20 years of experience helping businesses navigate complex legal challenges, our firm works closely with clients to understand their goals, identify potential risks, and develop a practical path toward trademark protection.
Contact Misra Trademark Counsel today to discuss your brand, understand your options, and learn how we can help protect what you are building without unnecessary surprises along the way.
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