This guide summarizes typical costs to trademark a brand name in the United States. The price range depends on filing choices, whether a clearance search is done, attorney involvement, and how many goods or services classes are claimed. The main cost drivers are filing fees, attorney fees, search costs, and maintenance over the life of the registration.
Cost”, “price ranges reflect common U.S. market prices in USD. Assumptions: single class, standard software-assisted filing, and no office actions or oppositions.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fees | $250 | $350 | $1,000 | Per class; TEAS Plus vs Standard variations; multiple classes increase total per-class cost. |
| Attorney Fees | $750 | $1,500 | $3,000 | Includes clearance search and preparation; could rise with complex spec changes. |
| Search Fees | $150 | $500 | $1,000 | Optional professional search; self-search may reduce cost but increase risk. |
| Office Actions & Prosecution | $0 | $700 | $2,000 | Costs for responding to USPTO objections or refusals per class. |
| Maintenance / Renewals | $250 | $500 | $1,000 | Between 5–6 year declaration and 9–10 year renewals per class. |
| International Registration (optional) | $600 | $1,200 | $3,000 | Madrid Protocol costs; translations can add to per-country expenses. |
| Other Fees & Contingencies | $0 | $400 | $1,200 | Translation, follow-up letters, or unexpected office actions. |
| Total (per class) | $1,400 | $3,450 | $9,200 | Totals vary with class count and dispute risk. |
Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours.
Overview Of Costs
Trademark costs typically include an initial filing fee, professional search if chosen, and attorney services. In addition, annual or periodic maintenance fees apply to keep the registration active. A rough total for a single-class brand name registration, with an attorney-guided process, falls in the $2,000–$4,000 range in the first year, with ongoing costs of $300–$1,000 per year for maintenance and potential per-class additions if more goods or services are included. For multi-class filings, total first-year costs may rise to $4,000–$8,000 or more. The amount varies by filing route and complexity, such as unique word marks versus design marks, and the breadth of goods or services claimed.
Per-unit pricing examples are useful when considering additional classes or international protection. For a single class, filing fees are commonly $250–$350 per class; attorney work often accounts for $1,000–$2,500 for a straightforward filing, with higher ranges for more complex portfolios. International protection through the Madrid Protocol can add $1,000–$3,000+ upfront plus translation costs per country.
Cost Breakdown
Filing, attorney, and search costs together determine the upfront price. The table below uses a standard one-class filing to illustrate how costs accumulate, with a separate column for possible add-ons.
| Materials | Labor | Equipment | Permits | Delivery/Disposal | Accessories | Warranty | Overhead | Contingency | Taxes | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Search Fees | Office Actions | Maintenance | International | Contingency | Taxes | Misc | — | $2,000–$5,500 |
| data-formula=”sum”> | ||||||||||
Assumptions: single-class filing; standard background search; no oppositions.
Pricing Variables
What drives price includes class count, mark complexity, and filing path. The main cost factors are:
- Class count: Each additional class adds separate filing fees and potential legal work.
- Search depth: A basic clearance search is cheaper, while a comprehensive watch and clearance search increases cost but reduces risk of conflict.
- Prosecution complexity: USPTO objections, description amendments, or specimen requests add time and attorney fees.
- Protection scope: If a business plans to market across multiple industries, international protection or regional trademarks add substantial cost.
- Maintenance timing: Declarations of use, affidavits, and renewal filings occur at defined milestones and incur per-class fees.
- Translations and filings in other jurisdictions add to the budget for global protection.
Regional price differences can influence totals. In urban coastal markets, attorney rates may exceed midwest averages by 10–25%, while rural areas often show lower nominal fees. Costs for filing and official actions stay fixed by USPTO but professional services vary by region.
Ways To Save
Strategic planning can lower total spend. Consider these approaches when budgeting for a brand name trademark:
- File a single well-defined class with a solid mark to reduce per-class costs.
- Perform a cost-effective clearance search yourself if risk tolerance allows, then engage an attorney only for filing and responding to any office actions.
- Choose TEAS Plus when eligible to lock lower initial filing fees; beware that TEAS Plus has stricter requirements.
- Bundle international protection by using the Madrid Protocol when global expansion is planned; it can be cheaper than separate national filings over time.
- Prepare strong specimens and accurate goods/services descriptions to minimize prosecution delays and extra filings.
Regional Price Differences
Regional pricing snapshot compares common U.S. markets. In New York, California, and other high-cost metro areas, attorney rates may be on the higher end, while markets in the Southeast or Midwest often show lower hourly rates. Across these regions, filing fees remain constant per class, but professional service costs can push totals higher by 10–25% in expensive markets. Rural areas tend to align closer to the lower end of the range.
Real-World Pricing Examples
Scenario A: Basic single-class brand name filing. Specifications: word mark, online filing, no opposition. Labor hours: 3–5; per-unit prices: filing $250, attorney $1,000; total estimate: $1,500–$2,000; Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours. Example: a small startup trademarking a simple word mark in one class.
Scenario B: Mid-Range multi-class with clearance search. Specifications: word mark across two classes, standard clearance search, attorney-guided filing. Labor hours: 6–10; per-unit prices: filing $250×2 = $500, attorney $1,800–$2,800, search $500. Total: $2,800–$4,100. Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours.
Scenario C: Premium international protection. Specifications: word mark in three classes with Madrid Protocol, comprehensive clearance search, attorney handling, translations. Labor hours: 12–20; per-unit prices: filing $350×3 = $1,050, attorney $3,000–$5,000, search $1,000, international $1,500–$3,000. Total: $6,550–$12,000. Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours.
These cards illustrate how costs scale with class count, search depth, and international scope. They also show how a single small business may compare to a company planning a broader brand portfolio.
What For The Future
Lifetime cost of ownership includes maintenance, renewals, and any future expansion. For a single-class mark, expect ongoing annual or periodic fees in the low hundreds to low thousands, depending on classes and expansion. For a portfolio of marks or multiple jurisdictions, the ongoing annualized cost can reach into the thousands per year. Budget for periodic reviews to maintain the mark’s status and to address any potential conflicts early.