The trademark process can take between 13-18 months. This trademark timeline involves federal legal proceedings with a federal agency. You cannot legally stop others from using your trademark while your application is still pending. Registering a trademark involves various stages. Learning why getting a trademark takes time helps understand the process. To check if a name is trademarked, search the USPTO database.
There are unique aspects to California trademark registration. Conduct thorough searches and navigate the application nuances. Establishing "common law trademark rights" starts when you begin using your mark in commerce.
Filing a California trademark costs $70, versus about $300 for a national registration. A California trademark protects your brand in-state. Visit the USPTO website for trademark filing forms. If approved for publication, your trademark gets published in the Official Gazette.
Choosing a quality name and avoiding mistakes expedites trademark registration. Understand differences between use and intent-to-use. Your trademark journey has key stages you’ll pass through.
How much does it cost to trademark a name in California?
For sole proprietors, expect to pay $50-$150. Corporations pay under $150. California’s fee is $70 per class code per mark. Nationally, it’s $250-$350 per class when self-filing. Attorneys charge $750-$2400 per class. Services charge $300-$850 per class. State trademarks cost $50-$75. The total depends on your application and classes selected.
The trademark search finds if another business owns it. Internationally, the application fee is $100. Each country sets its own fee. Legal fees often exceed $1000. The Madrid Protocol makes applying in multiple countries easier. Its fee is around $740 plus $100-$850 per country.
How quickly can you trademark a name?
Avoiding mistakes speeds up registration. Understand differences between use and intent-to-use. You’ll pass through key stages. Knowing the timeline demystifies it.