For business owners, names have power. Establishing ownership of an illegal right to a business name or logo is an essential step for a business that wants to protect its name and ensure that it remains one of a kind. Registering a logo or trademark helps protect a business’s name and brand from misuse and intellectual property theft as the business grows.

Trademarking a name or logo is a process that begins by applying for the US Patent and Trademark Office. The application process is fairly quick, but the entire process can take several months. If you are interested in protecting her name or logo through a trademark, you may be wondering how much the process will cost.

What is a Trademark?

If a trademark is one of several types of intellectual property rights. When a company owns a trademark, it signifies that the services or goods that belong to the company are their own. The trademark can also show where the idea of that item originated. Under us trademark law, trademarks can be applied to a wide range of items, such as:

  • Signs
  • Designs
  • Names
  • Logos
  • Expressions associated with a brand

Some brand items associated with the company fall outside of the scope of trademarks, such as commercial jingles or songs. Suppose you were not sure whether the item you would like to trademark could be trademarked. In that case, we recommend that you discuss your case with one of the experienced intellectual property attorneys at InPrime Legal. The purpose of a trademark is to prevent services or goods from being stolen by a competitor or people trying to counterfeit the item.

The company that owns the trademark can allow other companies to borrow their trademark items, but only with their permission. Once an item has been trademarked, nobody else can claim that intellectual property as their own. You will typically find trademarks on product packaging are labels. Sometimes they will also appear on company buildings. Trademarks are identified in one of the following ways:

  • SM: The service Mark is typically used for services. It signifies that a service belongs to an individual or a company but has not been registered with the national trademark office.
  • ™: The trademark symbol is typically used on goods. This symbol signifies that the item belongs to the individual or a company but has not been registered with the national trademark office.
  • R symbol: These marks signify that a good or service belongs to a company or individual and has been registered with the national trademark office.

Trademarking items can accomplish many important goals, such as helping companies obtain funds they lost from counterfeiters using their trademarks. It can also help them maintain a strong brand.

How Much Does a Trademark Cost?

As mentioned above, there are many different benefits to trademarking a name or logo. However, many individuals and small businesses may be hesitant to pursue a trademark. They may find the process intimidating, but they may avoid it because they know it comes with a cost. How much does it cost to trademark a name? Is it worth the money you will spend?

Determining how much it will cost for you to obtain a trademark on a name depends on several different factors. The federal government charges multiple fees, depending on the level of the trademark you seek. When it comes to understanding the cost of a trademark in your name or logo, you will need to take the following considerations into account.

The Type of Form

Before you submit an application for a trademark, you will need to decide which form you will be filling out. The type of form you select will impact how much it costs to trademark your name. If you file the form online at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO),You will need to choose one of three different Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) forms:

TEAS Plus Form: $225 Per Class

The cost of filing a TEAS Plus form is $225 per class of goods or services. This is the most popular type of trademark application that people and businesses file. To file a TEAS Plus Form, your application must meet the following requirements:

  • You will need to provide an email address for application-related correspondence. If you do not, you will lose your TEAS plus status and will be transitioned to a TEAS regular form, having to pay an additional $100 per class for your application to be processed
  • If you need to submit any additional submissions, you will need to file them on the USPTO website or risk losing your TEAS Plus status
  • The goods or services you are requesting to be trademarked must be found within the USPTO Trademark Identification Manual
  • You will need to provide very statements, including whether your trademark has a translation

TEAS Reduced Fee Form: $275 Per Class

Some instances in which the goods or services don’t fall under the USPTO Trademark Identification Manual. In these cases, the applicant must complete a TEAS Reduced Fee Form. The benefit to the TEAS Reduced Fee Form is that you can draft your own description. A reduced fee form is a great option when generalized descriptions do not work for you.

TEAS Regular Form: $325 Per Class

The TEAS Regular form is far less common because most businesses submit everything online. With the TEAS Regular Form, the client needs to select the option to mail in the forms without using the USPTO website. Using this form will also lengthen the time it takes for your claim to be processed.

Contact an Experienced Trademark Attorney Today

Would you like to apply for a trademark to protect your business, but you are not sure how much it will cost? If so, the experienced trademark and intellectual property attorneys at InPrime Legal are here to help. We would be happy to review your case to provide you with an estimate of how much your trademark application will cost. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.