Will these changes affect your trademark portfolio?

Effective January 18, 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will increase trademark fees affecting most future trademark application and registration filing costs. This increase is due to the USPTO’s biennial review that periodically adjusts the fee schedule to provide the USPTO with sufficient resources to fund and administer the U.S. trademark system.

The changes reflect expected price increases for typical filings such as allegations of use, post-registration maintenance and renewal fees, petitions to the director, and letters of protest. The most significant change is a single unified electronic application base filing option that will cost $350 per class. This base filing option will replace the previous separated two filing options, TEAS Plus at $250 per class fee and TEAS Standard at $350 per class fee.

In addition to the $350 base filing cost, there may be new surcharge fees added for failing to meet the requirements of the base application or adding in custom identifications for goods and services descriptions. Insufficient information will incur a $100 per class fee. Common information missing from applications includes English translations, color claim for design marks, prior ownership of registrations for the same mark under a different owner, and designation of a U.S. attorney. The custom identification of goods and services or additional group of 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000 characters will incur a $200 per class fee.

UB Greensfelder’s Trademark Prosecution, Licensing, & Enforcement Practice can advise on how these changes may impact your trademark portfolio or filing strategy. Contact Jocelyn C. Smith at jcsmith@ubglaw.com to receive tailored advice and assistance in strategizing around potential increased costs.

The information provided in this client alert speaks only to the information and guidance we have available as of the date of publication and is subject to change. This legal update was created by UB Greensfelder LLP, and is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice. Receipt of this client alert, by itself, does not create an attorney-client relationship. For any questions, or for further information, please contact your UB Greensfelder attorney.