The most common question I hear from potential clients is, “How much will it cost to register my trademark?”

Since there are many variables that come into play when registering a trademark, there is no set answer. In this three-part blog series, I share the issues that need to be considered before an estimated price can be provided.

In my first post, I covered some of the initial, basic questions you will need to answer. Here I will cover questions related to where you want to do business and file a trademark application.

Where are you selling the products and services – locally or nationwide over the internet?

If you are only selling your products in the city where you live and have not expanded beyond those boundaries, then you only need to obtain a state trademark registration.

If you have a website and are promoting your goods and services throughout the nation, it is wise for you to obtain a trademark registration through the USPTO.

Do you want to file a trademark application in the primary state in which you do business?

The filing fees range from state to state. We will contact the state agency, usually the State Division of Corporations, which manages trademark registrations and find out how much the costs to file the trademark application.

Do you want to file a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office?

The USPTO filing fees range from $225 to $400 per class. The filing fee depends upon the description of goods and services you insert into the application.

If you use a description from the Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual (ID Manual), then it costs $225 when you file the application electronically. If you customize your description of goods and services, then it costs more.

In the final post of this blog series, I will cover other factors you may have to consider, including handling a refusal from the USPTO, filing a Petition to Cancel another trademark registration, and filing a Notice of Opposition.