As of January 18, 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will be changing its trademark filing fees. The goal of these changes is to improve the quality of trademark applications, expedite the review process, ensure that applicants with more complex filings cover the additional review costs, and reduce processing delays.
Here’s a simple overview of the key changes to federal trademarks. If you have questions or concerns about trademarking your business name, contact an experienced trademark lawyer today.
USPTO Filing Fees Update
Effective January 18, 2025, the USPTO will introduce a new fee structure for all trademark applications and maintenance filings. This new fee structure will replace the current structure.
Through this update, the USPTO is hoping to accomplish two things:
- Review trademark applications carefully and without unnecessary delays
- Encourage applicants to submit complete and accurate information when they first file
To meet these goals, the USPTO suggested changing its fees during a public meeting held in June 2023 by the Trademark Public Advisory Committee.
Here is a quick look at some of the fee changes for trademark applications and renewals:
- Basic trademark application (per class):
The fee will increase from $250 to $350. - Amendment to allege use:
The fee will increase from $100 to $150. - Statement of Use:
The fee will increase from $100 to $150. - Petition to revive an application:
The fee will increase from $150 to $250. - Section 8 Declaration (per class):
The fee will increase from $225 to $325. - Section 15 Declaration (per class):
The fee will increase from $200 to $250. - Section 9 registration renewal (per class):
The fee will increase from $300 to $325.
The biggest change to the USPTO trademark system is that the TEAS Plus application is being phased out and replaced with a new system called the Trademark Center.
The TEAS Trademark Application Forms Are Going Away
Starting January 18, 2025, the TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard applications will no longer be used. They will be replaced with one new online trademark application. If your application is more complex or missing information, you may have to pay extra fees.
In simple terms, the new application requires 20 pieces of information to be considered complete. If you provide all of this information, you will not be charged any extra fees.
- Use the USPTO’s ID Manual to list your goods and services clearly
- Make a good effort to include all the information that was required under the old TEAS Plus application
If your application meets the basic requirements, you will pay the standard fee of $350 per class. If it does not, you will still pay the base fee and may also be charged extra fees.
New Fees
- Missing or incomplete information: $100 extra per class
- Using custom wording instead of the USPTO’s approved goods and services list: $200 extra per class
- Using more than 1,000 characters of custom wording: $200 extra for each additional 1,000 characters
The Newly Established Trademark Center
Beginning on January 18, 2025, all new trademark applications and trademark renewals will be filed through the new Trademark Center.
After years of feedback from users of the old TEAS system, the USPTO created the new Trademark Center with updated tools and a simpler design. The goal is to make filing and managing trademarks easier. The system has been tested multiple times to improve how it works and how it looks.
To help the public, attorneys, and paralegals learn the new system, the USPTO offers training sessions every two weeks that explain how to use the Trademark Center.
Classification Updates for Nice
On January 1, 2024, the USPTO updated its ID Manual to reflect changes made under the Nice Classification. The Nice Classification is a system used around the world to organize and classify goods and services in trademark applications. More than 90 countries use this system under an international agreement called the Nice Agreement. The Nice Classification is updated every five years.
Carson Legal Strategies
With these changes, the USPTO is aiming to make trademark applications and renewals faster and easier to process.
If this process feels confusing or overwhelming, you don’t have to handle it by yourself. The trademark lawyers at Carson Legal Strategies can help answer your questions and assist with filings. To schedule a consultation, call (301) 818-9559 or fill out the contact form on our website.
