How much does it cost to register trademark in US?

It would be important to understand the various costs accrued when trying to know the cost to register a trademark in the US, from filing fees up to legal costs and maintenance thereafter. Trademark registration protects intellectual property of your brand and fees vary based on the application type, the number of classes, and any additional requirements. This guide will break down each one of these typical expenses to help budget and protect your brand in the United States.

1. Application Types and Fees

• TEAS Plus Application: $250 per class of goods/services. Since this application requires you to select from a pre-approved list of descriptions, it is the least expensive but most specific.
• TEAS Standard Application: $350 per class of goods/services. This provides greater flexibility in descriptions, which is helpful in the case where your trademark covers a unique product or service.

2. Multiple Class Fees

• Trademarks can protect multiple "classes" of goods or services, such as clothing or electronics. If One IBC USA needs the mark to protect goods or services in several classes, it pays a separate fee for each class. For example:
  • One class (TEAS Plus): $250
  • Two classes (TEAS Plus): $500
  • One class (TEAS Standard): $350
  • Two classes (TEAS Standard): $700

3. Additional Fees and Maintenance

• Statement of Use (SOU): If you file based on “intent to use” rather than “in use,” you’ll eventually need to file an SOU at $100 per class.
• Renewal Fees:
  • Between the 5th and 6th year: $225 per class (Declaration of Use).
  • Between the 9th and 10th year, and every 10 years thereafter: $525 per class (Combined Declaration of Use and Renewal).

4. Attorney and Legal Fees

• While highly optional, an attorney can support the preparation and filing of the One IBC USA trademark and representation, which will be particularly helpful if you have a unique or complex mark involved. Attorney fees may cost anywhere from $500 to upwards of $3,000 depending on the required work for such tasks as a comprehensive trademark search and any resulting USPTO issues.

5. Trademark Search Costs (Optional)

• Proper trademark searches ensure that no conflict can be found with present trademarks. It avoids a lot of legal hassles, too. A basic search service can range from $100 to $500, but a comprehensive one using the services of attorneys would cost up to $1,000.

6. Total Estimated Costs

• Do-it-yourself (TEAS Plus, one class): Around $250.
• With attorney assistance, one class: $1,000–$3,000.
• For multiple classes with comprehensive search and attorney: $2,000–$6,000 or more, depending on complexity and number of classes.

By understanding these potential costs, One IBC USA can make an informed decision based on its specific needs and the scope of protection desired for the trademark.