Above is a cumulative showing of trademark fees (government fees only).

Assuming you use your trademark for a single type (category) of product/service, an online application fee can cost as low as $225, plus a $125 one-time maintenance fee after 5 years of use and $425 every 10 years. Total $1,200 over 20+ years? Not much right?

This calculation doesn’t include a one-time filing for incontestability in the 5th year for $200, which is technically optional.

However, if you don’t do it correctly, there are penalties.

When you fail to provide all necessary information at filing, you will be subject to fees varying from $50 to $150 per incident. There are also optional filings that might strengthen your trademark. And if you miss a date on maintenance fees, you may be penalized. Those penalties can accumulate well past the initial filing fee.

Aside from that, there are legal fees.

Many attorneys charge a flat legal fee of $1000-$2000 per mark plus government fees. If your mark experiences rejections from the USPTO, they might ask for more money on an hourly basis during subsequent actions.

As a result, your cost can vary widely depending on your trademark and how you proceed with it.

Please note that increases in UPSTO fees in 2021 are not reflected above.

by YJ on 12/30/2020