Trademarking a phrase might sound like something only corporations do, but it’s a powerful tool for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to own a slice of the marketplace. So let’s cut to the chase—how much does it cost to trademark a phrase?
The answer: It depends. Filing can cost in the low to mid hundreds per trademark. But that’s only the beginning. Attorney fees, research costs, and possible USPTO objections can significantly raise the total trademark registration cost. Whether you’re protecting a clothing brand, a podcast slogan, or a viral hashtag, knowing the costs and where they come from can help you protect your brand without overextending your budget.
Michael Jones of Jones Intellectual Property, a seasoned trademark attorney in New York, offers precise, cost-effective guidance tailored to the phrase you want to protect. With over a decade of IP law experience, he helps individuals and businesses turn words and logos into proprietary assets.
The Cost to Trademark a Phrase: What to Know Before You File
The cost to trademark a phrase starts with USPTO filing fees, but your total depends on how many classes you file in, how much research you do up front, and whether the USPTO raises objections.
Key Takeaways
- USPTO filing fees start at $350 per class, so protecting a phrase across several categories of goods or services multiplies the base cost.
- Per-class surcharges can apply: $200 for custom goods and services descriptions instead of pre-approved entries, and $100 if the application misses base requirements.
- A professional trademark search and clearance review can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, but it lowers the risk of refusal and future conflicts.
- Budget for later costs too, including Office Action responses, a Statement of Use for intent-to-use filings, renewals, and monitoring for infringement.
Trademark Registration Cost: What Am I Really Paying For?
Trademarking a phrase grants you exclusive rights to use that phrase in connection with your goods or services. This legal protection helps prevent others from using a similar phrase that could confuse consumers. But does it cost money? Yes.
Before diving into numbers, understand that filing a trademark isn’t just a bureaucratic process; it’s a legal strategy. You’re not just “applying for a trademark.” You’re claiming a piece of language in a specific commercial context. That claim must hold up legally. That’s where cost and complexity intersect. Here’s what you can expect to spend your money on.
Protect Your Phrase
Your Words Have Value. Let’s Make Sure They Stay Yours.
A slogan, a tagline, or a phrase your customers already connect with you can be one of your most important business assets. Jones Intellectual Property gives you clear, personalized guidance so you understand your options, your costs, and your next step before you file.
Discuss Your Legal OptionsUSPTO Filing Fees
In trademark applications, a class is a category the USPTO uses to group similar goods or services. Each class represents a different category of goods or services, costing $350 per class. Filing across multiple classes? Multiply accordingly. Other considerations:
- It costs an additional $200 per class if the applicant uses custom identifications instead of the pre-approved list;
- It costs an additional $100 per class if the application does not meet all the base application requirements; and
- A $200 per-class fee is applicable for each additional 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000 characters in the goods/services descriptions.
More explicit information and exceptions are outlined in the USPTO’s rules.
Attorney Fees
The fees for legal guidance can vary. Fees depend on your proposed phrase’s complexity, the number of classes, and any concerns the USPTO raises. It also depends on whether your attorney charges a flat or hourly fee.
Trademark Search and Clearance
A thorough search helps avoid conflicts and litigation. Professional search services cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, and attorneys may charge additional fees to review and interpret the results.
Responding to USPTO Office Actions
If the USPTO raises concerns, such as similarity to existing marks, descriptiveness, or failure to function as a trademark, responding requires legal analysis. This can add additional costs to prepare a response.
Statement of Use Filing (If Applicable)
If you apply for a trademark before using the phrase in business, known as an “Intent to Use” application, you must file a Statement of Use later to show you’ve started using the phrase. The filing comes with a $125 fee per class.
How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Phrase? Realistic Trademark Cost Ranges
Here’s what typical costs look like in common scenarios for a more precise breakdown.
DIY Filing (One Class, No Legal Help)
If you want to register a simple phrase and feel confident navigating the USPTO system, filing independently can be the most cost-effective route.
- USPTO filing fee starts at $350,
- Trademark Search is $0 (public tools only), and
- No legal fees.
While feasible, this is a risky avenue for anyone serious about enforcement or broad protection.
Basic Legal Filing (Single Class)
If you’re launching a business or brand and want more confidence in your filing, this level of service offers a reliable middle ground.
- USPTO fee starts at $350,
- Attorney fees for filing and prep range between hundreds and thousands of dollars, and
- A search and review typically ranges from a few hundred to almost a thousand dollars.
This level is ideal for those who need professional guidance but aren’t yet dealing with complex brand portfolios or enforcement issues.
Multi-Class Filing with Strategy & Enforcement
This level includes proactive legal strategy, enforcement options, and tailored trademark protection to reduce future risks and strengthen market presence.
- USPTO filing of between two and three classes is $700–$1,050;
- Attorney fees for filing, search, and enforcement strategy range between the low and mid thousands; and
- Office action responses range between a few hundred and a thousand dollars.
This level is appropriate for brands thinking long-term, such as those expanding into multiple markets, launching product lines, or planning licensing.
What Additional Trademark Costs Should I Consider?
Some clients assume that applying for a trademark is the end of the road, but maintaining and enforcing it comes with future costs, including:
- Renewal fees. After five years, then at ten years, and every ten years thereafter.
- Policing and enforcement. Monitoring services cost in the low to mid hundreds annually, and legal action against infringers can be more expensive.
- Licensing or expansion. Expect additional filings and fees if you license your phrase or expand to new classes or countries.
- Enforcement costs. Additional legal fees will apply if you need to take legal action to protect your trademark.
Trademark protection is an ongoing investment, so planning for these recurring and situational costs can prevent expensive surprises.
Not Sure Where to Start? You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone.
Trademark rules, fee schedules, and USPTO objections can feel overwhelming. Michael Jones works directly with creators, entrepreneurs, and growing businesses to answer your questions in plain language and build a strategy that fits your goals and your budget.
Get Expert Legal GuidanceWhy Choose Jones Intellectual Property?
Hiring a trademark attorney might sound like a luxury, but if your phrase holds business value, legal guidance is the safest path. Michael Jones of Jones Intellectual Property regularly helps clients avoid rejection, reduce risk, and streamline approval. More importantly, he helps clients understand what cannot be trademarked—phrases that are too generic, merely descriptive, or already in wide use.
Michael offers personalized and cost-effective legal strategies for trademark protection. With over a decade of experience, he has assisted clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Jones Intellectual Property services include:
- Comprehensive trademark searches—ensuring your phrase is unique and protectable;
- Application preparation and filing—handling all aspects of the USPTO process;
- Office action responses—addressing any issues raised by the USPTO; and
- Trademark monitoring and enforcement—protecting your brand from potential infringements.
Ready to protect your phrase? Contact Jones Intellectual Property today to discuss your trademark needs and trademark costs and receive a personalized strategy tailored to your business.
Resources:
USPTO: Intent to Use (ITU) Forms. Link
Common Questions About the Cost to Trademark a Phrase
Here are straightforward answers to the questions people ask most about what it costs to trademark a phrase and what to plan for after you file.
USPTO filing fees start at $350 per class of goods or services, so a phrase filed in two or three classes costs $700 to $1,050 in base fees. Per-class surcharges can apply for custom descriptions, incomplete applications, or long goods and services descriptions. Attorney and search fees are separate.
Yes. You can file directly with the USPTO and pay only the government fees. The tradeoff is risk: without a thorough search and a well-prepared application, a phrase may be refused as merely descriptive, too similar to an existing mark, or for failing to function as a trademark, which adds time and cost.
The USPTO issues an Office Action explaining the problem, such as likely confusion with an existing mark or a phrase that is merely descriptive. You must file a response that addresses each issue. Preparing that response requires legal analysis, so it typically adds to the total cost of registering your phrase.
Yes. A registered trademark requires a maintenance filing between the fifth and sixth years and renewal every ten years, each with its own fees. Many owners also budget for monitoring services, possible enforcement against infringers, and added filings if they license the phrase or expand into new classes or countries.
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