How much does it cost to trademark a name in Texas?

Trademarking a business name in Texas is a step-by-step process, with varied costs and considerations. The overall cost depends on whether you pursue a state-level trademark or a federal trademark and whether you independently file the application or hire an attorney for this.

1. Understanding the Types of Trademarks

• State Trademark: This will allow a Texas state trademark to keep your name protected but only in Texas. It is less complex and expensive, usually, but protection extends only against would-be infringers operating within the state of Texas.
• Federal Trademark: This involves protection in the United States and all its territories through the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It would generally be for businesses working on a national level or online, although this is usually more cumbersome and costly.

2. Application Fees

• Filing Fees: A State Filing Fee - The Texas Secretary of State requires that a filing fee be paid at the time of filing, per class of goods or services desired. These classes are provisions for a range of different products or services you may want your trademark to cover, so again, the cost will depend on how many classes you apply for.
• Federal Application Fees: Federal trademarks tend to be a bit more costly. Filing fees are available per class of goods or services, too. The application to the USPTO has different ways to file; each one of them is differently-priced, based on how detailed and custom one wants the application to be.

3. Additional Costs

• Attorney Legal Service: Most business owners would prefer to retain the services of a trademark attorney, particularly with regard to federal trademarks, as the process is somewhat complicated. Fees that attorneys charge vary significantly depending on the expertise of the attorney and the package deal as related to services provided.
• Renewal and Maintenance: Trademarks have to be renewed from time to time. In Texas, most renewals fall every five years, although in federal trademarks, that is not usually the case. Of course, there is an additional fee for each renewal.

In short, the average cost of trademarking a business name in Texas depends on your strategy and the class that your trademark falls under. Trademarking a name at the state level in Texas is relatively inexpensive, and it would be several hundred dollars per class for a federal trademark.