The Cost of Brand Ownership is Increasing

You know I’m all about keeping you informed so that you can protect your business.

Right now, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) is proposing an increase in its fees for trademark filings, which fees are set to be released toward the end of next year and take effect at the top of 2025.?

Protecting the future of your company and its brand is not complete without protecting your intellectual property.?You’ve probably heard me say it more than once: Your intellectual property IS your business.

Part of that protection includes securing your trademark registrations.? The USPTO’s proposed fees impact us all.

Before the USTPO’s final fee schedule is released, the USPTO will receive public comment and then submit a proposed rule for everyone to read.

Naturally, an increase in the USPTO’s fees will affect our fees as well.? So, let’s talk about why the increase is looming and what you can start thinking about now.

Amanda

The USPTO cited several reasons for its fee increases, including the following: ?

• Covering its operating expenses to process, review and analyze trademark filings.
• Funding the costs associated with improving its systems, resources and staffing needs to enhance efficiencies and reduce waiting times.
• Establishing parameters to combat fraudulent filings and other trademark filing scams, which have increased significantly the last few years. ?

Interesting fact: Did you know the USPTO is fee-funded (i.e., it is not funded by tax payer dollars)?

As a result, the USPTO is increasing fees across the board and making a few additional modifications. Here are just a few highlights:

• The current application filing system is getting a (long awaited) makeover to make filing an application even more user-friendly.? This new interface is supposed to drop this year.
• The USPTO is getting rid of the two-application system and consolidating things into one application type. ?

Note: However, the cost of this single application is more expensive (from $250 to a proposed $350).?And, this single-application will carry what’s called “premium application” surcharges.? In other words, there will be additional charges for errors in the application and the cost will be determined by the type of error (e.g., $100 for insufficient information per class).?

• The fees for intent-to-use filings are increasing (e.g., statement of use filing from $100 to a proposed $150).?

While fee increases are not set to take effect this year, I’d encourage you to start thinking about how to make moves to protect your trademarks now before we start experiencing these increases.? ??

If you want to discuss what moves to make for purposes of registering your trademarks, send me an email at [email protected].

We got you.

P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are a few ways I can help you: ?

1. Follow me on LinkedIn. I regularly post powerful legal tips. You will absolutely pick up on some gems to put into practice right away.

2. Schedule your Legal Meet & Greet. Book a free 30-minute chat with me to learn how my team and I can help you protect your business and your intellectual property. Book time with me here.

3. Schedule your Strategy Meet & Greet. If you'd like me to help you strategize a business issue, schedule 15 minutes with me here.

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This newsletter is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed between you and Stoutegy Law LLC or Amanda R. Moncada-Perkins.?