The USPTO’s new trademark filing fee structure implemented in January 2025 brings important changes that make professional trademark guidance more critical than ever. Let’s look at a few key takeaways from the new fee structure, and the potential implications for trademark applicants.
Base Filing Requirements with Real Impact
While the standard $350 per-class filing fee remains reasonable, it now comes with 19 specific requirements that must be met at filing. Missing any requirement triggers a $100 per-class fee that applies across all classes – and cannot be avoided by later corrections. For multi-class applications, these fees can add up quickly.
The ID Manual Difference
The USPTO’s approach to goods/services descriptions has changed significantly. Using descriptions outside the USPTO’s ID Manual now incurs a $200 per-class fee. This applies even when copying pre-approved text rather than selecting it through the system – a technical distinction with meaningful cost implications.
Understanding Character Count Fees
Applications using custom descriptions now face $200 fees for every 1,000 characters. For businesses needing detailed goods/services descriptions, particularly in technical or specialized fields, fees can escalate substantially.
Multi-Class Strategy Matters
The new structure requires careful planning for multi-class applications. When requirements are not met in one class, increased fees can cascade across all classes. A standard two-class application could see government fees increase from $700 to $1,300 or more based on different filing choices.
Today’s trademark filings require strategic decisions about:
– Whether to file single or multi-class applications
– How to structure goods/services descriptions effectively
– When to use ID Manual entries versus custom text
– How to coordinate international filing requirements
Now more than ever, an initial investment in experienced trademark guidance can result in significant savings by avoiding unnecessary fees and a potential loss of rights for your brands. At ADD+G, our team is here to help businesses navigate every aspect of the trademark application process at the USPTO, from filing to issuance and beyond. Contact us today for more information.
About the Author
Allison Imber is a Registered Patent Attorney who handles various patent, copyright, trade secret and trademark transactional matters. She has prosecuted numerous trademark and patent applications from availability searches to registration, and counsels business owners regarding intellectual property protection strategies. Her litigation experience spans from the Southern to the Northern District of Florida, and includes inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
