U.S. Trademark Fees To Increase In 2025. Canadians Should Take Note

On January 18, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the USPTO) will be increasing fees for trademark filings, including for new applications. These trademark fee increases are significant. They will be especially so for Canadian businesses with U.S. trademark portfolios or who are planning to register trademarks in the U.S. Not only will they feel the sting of the current unfavourable exchange rates, but also, and perhaps more importantly, they will need to use different descriptions of their goods and services in their U.S. and Canadian applications to avoid paying significantly increased fees in the U.S. or facing more lengthy processing delays in Canada.

Canadian businesses that plan to register trademarks in the U.S. are encouraged to do so before January 18, 2025 to take advantage of the existing fee structure. Owners of U.S. trademark portfolios should also consider filing statements of use and maintenance and renewal documents before the fees