The USPTO has issued a final rule adjusting trademark-related fees effective January 18, 2025. These changes aim to align fee collections with the costs of trademark services. Key fee adjustments include increases in application filing fees, post-registration filings, and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings. The rule also introduces new fees for filing letters of protest and for removing goods or services from registrations during specific procedures.
Major changes include:
Application Fees:
- Paper Applications (CFR 2.6(a)(1)(i)): Increased from $750 to $850 per class.
- Applications via WIPO (CFR 2.6(a)(1)(ii)): Initial filings increased from $500 to $600 per class.
- Subsequent designations also raised from $500 to $600 per class.
- Electronic TEAS Standard Applications (CFR 2.6(a)(1)(iii)): Replaced with a base application fee set at $350 per class.
Post-Registration and Declaration Fees
Section 8 Declarations (CFR 2.6(a) (12)):
- Paper filings increased from $325 to $425 per class.
- Electronic filings increased from $225 to $325 per class.
Section 15 Declarations (CFR 2.6(a) (13)):
- Paper filings increased from $300 to $350 per class.
- Electronic filings increased from $200 to $250 per class.
Section 9 Renewal Applications (CFR 2.6(a)(5)):
- Paper filings increased from $500 to $525 per class.
- Electronic filings increased from $300 to $325 per class.
New Fees
- Insufficient Information for TEAS Applications (CFR 2.6(a)(1)(iv)): Introduced at $100 per class (paper or electronic).
- Use of Free-Form Text Boxes for Goods/Services (CFR 2.6(a)(1)(v)): Introduced at $200 per class (paper or electronic).
- Additional Text Beyond 1,000 Characters (CFR 2.6(a)(1)(vi)): Introduced at $200 per 1,000 characters (paper or electronic).
TTAB and Petition Fees
Petitions to the Director (CFR 2.6(a) (15)):
- Paper filings increased from $350 to $500.
- Electronic filings increased from $250 to $400.
Petitions to Revive Applications (CFR 2.6(a) (15)):
- Paper filings increased from $250 to $350.
- Electronic filings increased from $150 to $250.
Other Adjustments
- Letters of Protest (CFR 2.6(a) (25)): Increased from $50 to $150.
Amendments and Statements of Use (CFR 2.6(a)(2) -(3)):
- Fees increased by $50 per class for both paper and electronic filings.
The updates are expected to generate additional revenue, helping the USPTO meet its strategic goals, such as improving efficiency in processing and appeals and encouraging broader participation in intellectual property protection. The rule imposes no new reporting or recordkeeping requirements and seeks to minimize economic impacts on small entities​.
For further details, you can view the complete rule here (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/18/2024-26644/setting-and-adjusting-trademark-fees-during-fiscal-year-2025).
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