Trademark Fee Increases 2025: Quick Roundup

In response to rising operational costs and evolving examination demands, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced a new trademark fee schedule that will take effect in 2025. These adjustments impact both initial trademark applications and ongoing proceedings, introducing a range of new fees and increases that applicants and brand owners must consider when planning their intellectual property strategies. The changes reflect the USPTO's continued focus on improving examination efficiency, reducing pendency, and encouraging higher-quality submissions. For businesses and trademark professionals alike, understanding the financial and procedural implications of these updates is essential.

One of the most significant changes is the consolidation of the TEAS Standard and TEAS Plus application types into a single unified filing option. The new base fee for any electronic trademark application will now be $350 per class of goods or services, simplifying the process but raising costs for certain applicants. For international filings submitted through the Madrid Protocol, the USPTO fee has increased to $600 per class. These adjustments reflect the USPTO's efforts to streamline operations while recouping costs associated with trademark examination.

Another noteworthy update affects how goods and services are identified in trademark applications. Historically, applicants could use a free-form text box to describe their goods and services, though many opted for pre-approved language from the USPTO’s identification manual. Beginning in 2025, using the free-form text option will incur a $200 fee per class, applicable to applications filed under Sections 1 and 44 of the Trademark Act. Furthermore, if an applicant exceeds 1,000 characters in their custom description, each additional 1,000-character block will trigger an extra $200 fee per class. These measures are intended to discourage overly broad or unclear identifications that can complicate the examination process.

The USPTO has also introduced a new fee for insufficient information in trademark applications. If an examining attorney determines that an initial application lacks essential details or includes incomplete information, a $100 fee per class will be imposed. This underscores the importance of submitting thorough, well-prepared applications from the outset to avoid added costs and delays.

In addition to these front-end changes, several fees related to post-application and registration maintenance proceedings are set to rise. The cost to file a letter of protest will increase from $50 to $150, while petitions to the director will now require a $400 fee, up from $250. Reviving an abandoned application will cost $250. Filing a statement of use—required to demonstrate that a trademark is in commercial use—will rise to $150 per class, up from $100. Similarly, submitting an amendment to allege use before registration will now cost $250 per class.

For brand owners and trademark attorneys, these fee changes carry important implications. The USPTO has historically allowed some flexibility in refining goods and services descriptions during examination. However, with the introduction of fees tied directly to application completeness and specificity, there is a heightened need for precise, compliant filings from the start. Businesses should work closely with experienced trademark counsel to review and adjust their filing strategies to ensure compliance with the USPTO’s updated requirements and to manage costs effectively.

The 2025 USPTO trademark fee adjustments signal a broader effort to encourage applicants to submit higher-quality, well-structured applications that facilitate more efficient review and approval. While these changes introduce new cost considerations, they also present an opportunity for businesses to strengthen their intellectual property protections by ensuring that their filings meet the USPTO’s exacting standards.

Campo Law is here to help you navigate these updates. Whether you are filing a new trademark application, managing an existing portfolio, or responding to USPTO actions, our team is equipped to provide clear, strategic guidance tailored to your brand's needs. Contact us today to discuss how we can help safeguard your intellectual property under the USPTO’s new framework.