Why register a trademark in different countries?
Registering your brand in one country gives you exclusive rights to use that name with regard to specific goods and services only in that country. For this reason, it is always advisable to develop your trademark protection strategy in line with your business strategy – that is, to seek trademark protection in all the countries where you intend to commercialise your products.
If you do not do so, your name or a similar one may be registered by third parties in those countries, possibly for similar or identical goods. Since you will not have exclusive trademark rights over this name in these jurisdictions, others will indeed be allowed to protect it via trade mark. This might lead consumers in this area to mistake someone else’s products for yours. Commercialising your own product in those jurisdictions under “your” name, but without securing exclusive rights to it, might even in this context constitute an infringement of those third parties’ rights.
Trademark registration fees tend to differ slightly between jurisdictions. Below we provide a breakdown of trademark registration costs across different countries.
Country | Application Fee ($USD) | Extra Class ($USD) |
|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 225(paper); 200(online) | 53 |
European Union | 1050 (paper); 900(online) | 50-150 |
United States | 250-350 | 100 |
China | 44 + agency fees | 4 |
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the United Kingdom?
The Application Fee for a trademark registration in the UK is £170 ($225) for online applications and £200 ($265) for paper applications. An extra class (category of goods and/or services) for each class above the one class already included in the base fee for a paper or online application will cost £50; a fee for an international application is £40 ($53.14) plus additional WIPO fees [1].
It should be noted that these costs do not include legal (attorney) fees for filing a UK application, tracking its progress, and responding to basic examination requests/questions, which are typically around $1,000.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the European Union?
The EU Community trademark application includes protection for three classes, costing €900 for an electronic application and €1 050 for a paper application. The Amending Regulation sees the Office move to a one-class-per-fee system. This means that in practice applicants pay a lower fee if they only apply for one class, the same fee if they apply for two, and a higher fee if they apply for three or more. If the applicant chooses to apply for a trademark in two classes, the fee is increased by €50; each additional class thereafter is an extra €150. Renewal fees are substantially reduced in all instances and set to the same level as application fees, and there are also reductions in opposition, cancellation and appeal fees [2].
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the United States?
The USPTO charges a flat fee of either $250.00 (TEAS Plus) or $350.00 (TEAS Standard) per class of goods and services. This means that the USPTO doesn’t charge the applicant, per trademark, but rather according to how many different types of goods/services the applicant intends on selling under the trademark. There is also a TEASi, which enables applicants to file international protections. If the international application is based on one basic application or one basic registration, the fee is $100 per class based on the total number of classes in the international application [3].
Under the TEAS Plus trademark application, the trademark applicant is required to select the goods/services from a pre-set listing from the Trademark Identification Manual (TIM). Conversely, under the TEAS Standard trademark application, the trademark applicant can draft his/her own unique description of the goods services. Therefore, depending on the complexity of sold goods and services the applicant might either rely on the TIM or customize their description.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in China?
The cost for domestic registration with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA, previously the China Trademark Office - CTMO) is RMB 300 (approx. $44, excluding lawyer fees) for one class, covering up to 10 items of goods/services. An extra RMB 30 (approx. $4) is charged per additional item [4].
Foreigners and foreign enterprises are required to entrust trademark agencies to apply for trademark registration in China for them. The basic filing fee for trademark registration by a trademark agent/law firm in Mainland China is about $300 – 400 and upwards, depending on the service provider you use.
FAQs - Trademark Registration costs by country
1. How can businesses estimate the total cost of trademark registration when planning to protect their brand in multiple countries?
To estimate the total cost of trademark registration for multiple countries, businesses should start by identifying the specific jurisdictions where they seek protection and researching the application fees for each country. Beyond these base fees, it's important to consider additional costs such as extra class fees, legal fees for trademark attorneys, and any agency fees. At Trama, we simplify this process by offering a free trademark check with results within 24 hours, along with a comprehensive risk assessment. This helps you get a clear understanding of potential costs and avoids unexpected expenses. Our streamlined services are designed to make global trademark protection more accessible and manageable for your business.
2. Are there any cost-effective strategies for managing trademark registration in multiple countries?
To manage trademark registration costs effectively, companies can consider several strategies. One approach is to use the Madrid Protocol, which allows for the filing of a single international application to cover multiple jurisdictions, often at a reduced overall cost compared to separate national filings. Additionally, businesses should prioritize registering trademarks in key markets where they plan to operate or where they anticipate significant business activities. Engaging a trademark registration service, such as Trama, which provides detailed cost breakdowns and streamlined processes for international registrations, can also help manage and reduce expenses.
3. How do additional costs, like legal fees, affect the total expense of trademark registration?
Beyond the basic application fees, businesses should account for several additional costs that can impact the total expense of trademark registration. Legal fees for hiring an attorney to handle the application process, address office actions, and provide ongoing monitoring and enforcement can significantly increase overall costs. For instance, in the UK, legal fees can add approximately $1,000 to the registration cost. Similarly, in other jurisdictions, professional fees and administrative expenses can vary. It's crucial for businesses to budget for these additional costs to ensure comprehensive trademark protection and effective management of their intellectual property assets.
