Your company name is your identity; without it, consumers won’t know who you are and what you offer. Plus, it’s what you use to build up a reputation, so you don’t want others to threaten it.
To protect your business name, you should trademark it. This is a process that gives you legal ownership over your company name, which prevents others from using it. If they do, then you can pursue legal action.
But how much does it cost to trademark a business name? We’ll explore the costs in this article so you know what to expect.
How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Business Name?
When you ask, “How much does a trademark cost,” it doesn’t just involve the filing fees. There are other associated costs, and they can add up. If you’re not aware of them, then you’ll have a huge surprise awaiting you.
If you haven’t already created your company, then you can do so with our free business registration service. You only have to pay the state fees, and we’ll take care of all the paperwork.
Below, we’ll outline the filing fee, as well as the other things you may have to pay for.
USPTO Filing Fee
To get a trademark, you’ll have to file with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). It has two filing options, and they have different price tags.
The first option is TEAS Plus, and it costs $250 per class of goods or services. It’s more affordable, but it’s harder to get since you must meet certain conditions.
For example, you have to agree to specific terms for electronic filing. In addition, you’ll have to use pre-approved descriptions of your goods and services from the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual, and you must communicate electronically. Obviously, this is the best option if your business and offerings fit within the predefined categories, as you’ll pay less.
If your business name won’t fall under the TEAS Plus requirements, then the other option is TEAS Standard, which costs $350 per class of goods or services. As you can see, it costs a fair bit more.
However, TEAS Standard gives you more flexibility in describing your goods or services. As a result, you can use custom descriptions, which is useful if your business doesn’t really fit into the predefined categories.
Either way, we mentioned that this is the price per class. So if you wanted to protect your business name for both clothing and retail services, you’d have to pay double the fee (either $500 or $700).
Legal Fees
You can technically fill out the trademark application yourself, but it can be complicated to figure out. Plus, it can be rejected if it’s not properly filled out.
The good news is that you can use a trademark attorney, which can make the process much easier to navigate. They can help you save both time and money by helping with:
- Conducting a comprehensive trademark search to check the name’s free
- Preparing and filing the application
- Responding to any Office Actions from the USPTO
The exact legal fees will depend on who you use and how complex your application is. But typically, you should expect to pay anywhere between $500 to $2,000 or more.
For expert help that’s affordable too, use Trademark Kings. To file trademarks in the US, they charge between $390 and $990 (plus a $250 government fee), depending on the package you choose. Even the most basic package includes unlimited consultations, so that alone is worth it.
Trademark Search Costs
Before you apply for a trademark, you have to first ensure your business name isn’t already trademarked by someone else. There are many free ways to do this, including Google searches and the USPTO’s public trademark search system. However, both aren’t comprehensive and may not cover all potential conflicts, especially those in common law (unregistered trademarks).
To be thorough, we recommend that you use professional trademark search services. They’ll look for existing federal, state, and common law trademarks, as well as search for names or logos that could be considered confusingly similar. These professionals will also provide you with a detailed report on potential conflicts.
For these services, expect to pay between $300 and $500. If you use Trademark Kings, some packages include this service.
Maintenance Fees
The last trademark cost to know about is maintenance fees. After you’ve successfully registered your trademark, you have to maintain it by filing specific documents at regular intervals.
Between the fifth and sixth year after registration, you’ll have to file a Section 8 Declaration of Use, which costs $225 per class. This is to verify that you’re still actively using the trademark in commerce. If you don’t file it, then your trademark may be canceled.
Between the ninth and 10th year after registration, and every 10 years after that, you’ll have to file a combined Section 8 Declaration of Use and Section 9 Application for Renewal. This is to keep your trademark active and will cost $525 per class.
Additional Potential Costs
An Office Action is issued by the USPTO if anyone objects to your trademark or if they need more information. There may be additional legal fees or amendment costs in that case.
Also, if you want to protect your business name in other countries, you’ll need to file separate applications in each jurisdiction. Each one will have its own fee structure, which will add to your trademark fees paid.
Trademark Your Business Name Now
When asking, “How much does it cost to trademark a business name,” you won’t get a singular answer. Each case is different, which will affect how much the applicant has to pay.
The important things to remember are that TEAS Plus costs $250 per class while TEAS Standard costs $350 per class. In addition, if you consult with a trademark attorney and conduct trademark searches, you’ll have to pay more too. However, these steps will give you extra peace of mind and will make the process smoother.
Sign up with Business Anywhere today if you need to form a company. We offer other services to make entrepreneurship easier, such as registered agent and online notary services.
