New USPTO’s Fee Changes – Everything You Need to Know

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently made a number of changes to its fee schedule to take effect on January 19, 2025, both in trademark and patent filings. 

These changes are intended to address changes in the costs of operating the intellectual property systems as well as providing efficient services. 

For the small business, the entrepreneur, or the large company, it is important to understand these changes to plan for the filings and the costs that accompany them.

 Here in this blog, we will discuss the causes of the change, explain the new fee structure, and provide tips for dealing with the changes effectively.

Why Did the USPTO Change its Fees?

USPTO adjusts its fees from time to time to allow the agency to sustain its quality services to applicants. Key reasons for the latest fee changes include:

 

• Operational Costs

Cost pressures associated with application processing, managing high-end technology, and dealing with more work volume.

 

• Service Improvements

Upgrades of systems which include faster processing or improved online interfaces.

 

• Inflation Adjustments

As we look for ways to sustain the financial requirements in order to support the services we offer, fees have to be pegged to the economic status of the country.

 

These changes are inspired by the need to make the USPTO efficient in its service delivery but at the same time, it has to balance the costs to be recovered from the consumers of the system.

 

General Information on New Fee Changes

The recent updates encompass a variety of changes across patent and trademark fee changes:

 

Trademark Application Fees

• TEAS Standard applications raised from $350 to $400 per class.
• The number of TEAS Plus applications increased from $250 to $300 per class.

 

Patent Fees

• Filing fees in the utility patent category were raised by approximately 10%, with application fees being set at $320 for large entities.
• Tuition fees were raised for separate examinations for small business entities as well as for large business entities.

 

Post-Registration Fees

• Section 8 declarations now cost $225 per class, as opposed to $125 before.
• Both Section 8 and 15 declarations also rose in tandem.

 

These changes bring into focus the fact that it is costly to file the wrong papers or to file them at the wrong time.

 

Effects of the Fee Changes on the Applicants

The fee adjustments have varying impacts depending on the type of applicant:

 

• Small Businesses

The revisions may be costly, especially for those seeking to register trademarks for multiple classes.

 

• Large Corporations

However, the cost is not as drastic, it is still possible for a more frequent filer to reach a certain point of a total expense.

 

• Startups and Entrepreneurs

These are higher initial costs, which may limit the ability to obtain an intellectual property right at the inception of the business cycle.

 

All these changes underscore the need to approach filings with the view of controlling costs for every applicant.

 

 

Comparing the Old and New Fee Structures

Here’s a quick comparison of the previous and updated fees:

 

Filing Type	Old Fee	New Fee	Difference
TEAS Plus Application	$250	$300	+$50
TEAS Standard Application	$350	$400	+$50
Utility Patent Filing Fee	$280	$320	+$40
Section 8 Declaration	$125	$225	+$100

This table illustrates how even minor adjustments can add up for frequent filers or multi-class applications.

 

The Future Changes: How to Stay Informed

The USPTO usually publicizes fee changes in advance and the changes take effect in a reasonable period. To stay informed:

 

• Sign Up for USPTO Alerts

These messages are sent on a fortnightly basis to subscribers by email.

 

• Follow USPTO News

Visit the official website to see the latest information.

 

• Consult an Attorney

You should visit a trademark or patent attorney, experts can give timely recommendations and let you know when changes occur.

 

If you have questions about the new fee changes, reach out to Drishti Law at 773-234-1139 for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the application process, helping to ensure that your brand receives the protection it deserves under state and federal laws.