How Much Does a Trademark Really Cost?

When you search "how much does a trademark cost," you get answers ranging from "$50" to "$10,000+." That's because trademark costs aren't one number — they're a stack of fees that depends on how you file, how many classes you need, and whether you hire an attorney.

Here's the real breakdown.

## The Four Layers of Trademark Cost ### 1. The USPTO Government Fee

This is the only fee you cannot avoid. Every trademark application pays it directly to the U.S. government.

- **TEAS Plus (online, pre-approved descriptions):** $350 per class - **TEAS Standard (free-form descriptions):** $350 per class + $200 per class surcharge - **TEAS RF (paper filing):** $450 per class (avoid this)

The key number to remember: **$350 per class** for the standard electronic filing. If you file under three classes (common for products with online retail + physical goods), that's $1,050 in USPTO fees alone.

**Pro tip:** Using pre-approved ID Manual descriptions saves you the $200/class surcharge. That's $600 saved on a three-class filing.

### 2. The Filing Service Fee

If you use a preparation service like TradeMaker, you pay a separate fee for the application preparation. This covers class selection guidance, intake forms, document review, and status tracking.

TradeMaker's preparation fee is a flat **$199 per application**, not per class. Most competitors charge per-class or add fees at checkout.

### 3. The Hidden Costs Most Services Don't Mention

These are the fees that turn a "$49 trademark" into a $1,000+ surprise:

- **Non-compliant description surcharge:** $200/class if you write descriptions outside the USPTO's ID Manual - **Filing basis corrections:** If you file under the wrong basis (1a vs 1b), fixing it later costs $100-$200 - **Specimen refusals:** If your specimen is rejected, resubmission costs time + potential re-filing fees - **Missing deadline penalties:** 3-month OA response window. Extensions cost ~$125/class. Miss it entirely = abandoned application - **Attorney fees for OA responses:** If you get an Office Action, attorney rates run $500-$2,000+ per response ### 4. Attorney Costs (Optional — For Complex Cases)

Most DIY filers don't need an attorney for straightforward applications. But you should budget for one if:

- Your mark faces a likelihood-of-confusion refusal - You're filing internationally (Madrid Protocol) - You need a legal opinion on registrability - You're opposing someone else's mark

Attorney costs typically range from: - **Simple application with filing:** $500-$1,500 - **Office Action response:** $500-$2,000 - **Full prosecution (through registration):** $2,000-$5,000+ - **Litigation:** $10,000+

TradeMaker partners with **Melivate Group** for cases that need attorney representation. We're upfront about when you need one — and we send you to someone who can actually help.

## Real-World Cost Scenarios ### Scenario 1: Simple Restaurant Name (1 class) - 1 class at $350 = $350 USPTO - TradeMaker prep fee = $199 - **Total: $549** ### Scenario 2: Apparel Brand (2 classes — clothing + retail) - 2 classes at $350 = $700 USPTO - TradeMaker prep fee = $199 - **Total: $899** ### Scenario 3: Product Company (3 classes — goods + software + retail) - 3 classes at $350 = $1,050 USPTO - TradeMaker prep fee = $199 - **Total: $1,249** ### Scenario 4: DIY Filing with Surcharges - 3 classes at $350 = $1,050 USPTO - $200/class surcharge for free-form descriptions = $600 - No preparation service - **Total: $1,650** — and you did all the work yourself ## What You Actually Get for the Money

When you pay TradeMaker's $199 fee, here's what's included:

**Before filing:** - AI-powered class finder (all 45 Nice classes) - Conflict search across 14M+ trademark records - Step-by-step intake with field-level guidance - Specimen guidance with examples of what the USPTO accepts **After filing:** - Client portal with application status tracking - Milestone notifications at every USPTO update - Document vault for all your filing materials - Direct messaging with your filing team

Not included: Legal advice, attorney representation, Office Action responses (we refer these to Melivate Group).

## The Bottom Line

For most small businesses, a trademark filing costs **$549-$1,249** all-in (USPTO fees + preparation service). The cheapest route isn't always the best — a rejected application costs more than doing it right the first time.

The most expensive mistake isn't paying for help. It's filing in the wrong class, writing bad descriptions, or missing deadlines — all of which add $200-$2,000+ to your total cost.

**Start with a free class search** to see what you're working with. No account needed, no credit card, no surprises.

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*TradeMaker is a trademark filing preparation platform. We prepare applications — we don't give legal advice. For complex trademark matters, consult a licensed attorney. We recommend Melivate Group (melivate.com).*