USPTO Increases Patent and Trademark Fees in January 2025

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced significant fee adjustments for both patents and trademarks, effective January 18, 2025. These changes are designed to align fees with operational costs, maintain financial stability, and support ongoing improvements in application processing and examination services. Below is a summary of the upcoming fee increases and their potential impact on applicants and businesses.

Key Patent Fee Changes
The updated patent fees from the USPTO, effective January 19, 2025, will affect various stages of the patent lifecycle, including:

  • Filing Fees: There will be increases in filing, examination, and issue fees for utility, design, and plant patents. In particular, design patent application fees will see significant increases, reflecting the growing demand for such protections in industries such as technology, fashion, and consumer goods.
  • Maintenance Fees: Higher maintenance fees will apply at each payment stage for utility patents, requiring patent holders to budget accordingly to maintain their protections.
  • Post-Grant Proceedings: Fees for inter partes review (IPR), post-grant review (PGR), and other proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) will also increase.

These fee adjustments aim to ensure the long-term sustainability of the USPTO’s patent examination and maintenance processes.

Key Trademark Fee Changes
Starting January 18, 2025, trademark applicants will also face higher fees. Key changes include:

  • Application and Registration Fees: Initial application fees for submissions through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) will increase. The new rates will be applied per class of goods/services, affecting applicants with multiple classes.
  • Post-Registration Fees: Fees for trademark maintenance filings, including Declarations of Use (Section 8 / Section 71) and Renewals (Section 9), will rise.
  • Petitions and Appeals: Fees for petitions and letters of protest will also increase.

These adjustments reflect the USPTO’s continued efforts to improve trademark examination quality and processing efficiency while ensuring fair cost recovery.

How to Prepare
Applicants and businesses are encouraged to take the following actions before the new fees take effect on January 18, 2025:

  • File Early: Consider submitting pending patent and trademark applications before the fee increases take effect to avoid higher costs.
  • Review Budgets: Businesses should reassess their intellectual property budgets to account for the higher filing, maintenance, and renewal costs.
  • Consult Professionals: Work with patent and trademark attorneys to develop a strategic filing plan and avoid unexpected expenses.

Staying informed and taking proactive steps will help ensure smooth intellectual property management amid these significant changes.


International Trademark and PCT Patent Applications 2021
Minder Group