How much does a trademark cost?
Securing your trademark is an investment in your brand and is similar to buying insurance. As with any investment, the obvious first question is: how much does it cost and what do you get for your money? By obtaining a registered trademark you can get an indefinite exclusive right that allows you to stop anyone else from using the same or a similar brand. If you own a registered trademark, you can put the ® symbol next to your brand to show that it’s yours and warn others against using it.
When filing a trademark application, there are two types of fees: an official fee payable to the trademark office and a service fee covering the trademark attorney's work. The official fee depends on the number of classes your trademark covers.
Applying for a trademark is actually very cost effective, especially when looking at the territory (e.g. number of countries) and years of protection it covers.
What are these trademark classes?
A trademark is always associated with certain goods and services that the trademark will be used on. Goods and services are classified into 45 specific classes based on an international agreement. (This is called Nice Classification.) When filing a trademark, we have to specify the list of goods. The list will contain all those products and services which are covered by your trademark. The more classes your application includes, the more expensive the filing fee.
EU trademark
A trademark registered in the European Union gives you an exclusive right in all of the 27 European Union member states, such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Belgium.
Fees of an EU trademark
The official fee payable to the European Union Intellectual Property Office: €850 for one class
The official fee for additional classes: €50 for the 2nd class
For three or more classes: €150 for each class
The costs cover 27 countries for 10 years, there is no fee after registration.
From 1 January 2021, EU trademarks no longer cover the UK (because of Brexit). So, it is advised to apply for both an EU and a UK trademark.
UK trademark
A trademark registered in the United Kingdom provides you with an exclusive right in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Fees of a UK trademark
The official fee payable to the UK trademark office: £170 for one class
The official fee for each additional class: £50
The cost covers one trademark for the whole territory of the United Kingdom for 10 years, there is no additional fee after registration.
Contact me to inquire about my flat fees for the following services.
Consultation with a qualified European Trademark Attorney (60 min.)
After discussing your business and brand name, I answer all your questions, give advice and help you create an IP strategy that suits your business and budget. The fee of the consultation includes one follow-up email to answer your remaining questions.
Trademark search
I do not advise filing a trademark without conducting a trademark search first. After completing a trademark search in an international database, I can advise you about the chances of obtaining a registered trademark. So, a trademark search will help you decide whether it is worth investing in a trademark.
Preparing and filing of your trademark application to the UK Trademark Office
Trademarks are not registered automatically. A trademark will only be registered if it fulfils the requirements specified in the trademark law. If you want to make sure to obtain a registered trademark fast, work with me! I am always very attentive when preparing the necessary documents and filing the application.
Preparing and filing of your trademark application to the European Union Intellectual Property Office
Trademarks are not registered automatically. A trademark will only be registered if it fulfils the requirements specified in the trademark law. If you want to make sure to obtain a registered trademark fast, work with me! I am always very attentive when preparing the necessary documents and filing the application.
Don’t forget that your brand name and a logo are not automatically protected. You have to file a trademark application to apply for a trademark in order to legally protect your brand.