If you’re a business owner, you might be curious about the cost of registering your name as a trademark in North Carolina. The answer depends on a number of variables, including whether you engage legal counsel, the kind of trademark you require, and whether you want to file for state- or federal-level registration. In this post, we’ll look at the costs involved in registering a trademark in North Carolina and respond to some frequently asked questions.
Depending on the sort of trademark you require, the price to register a name in North Carolina can change. The filing cost for registering a state trademark is $100. However, depending on the sort of application you submit, the filing fee for registering a federal trademark can range from $225 to $400. Additionally, you may anticipate paying anywhere between $500 and $2,000 in legal expenses if you engage a lawyer to assist you with the registration procedure.
It’s crucial to perform a free search before submitting an application for a trademark to make sure that no one else has previously registered a mark that is identical to yours. The USPTO’s (US Patent and Trademark Office) web database is available for free search. You’ll be able to avoid future legal problems and save money on registration and legal expenses by doing this.
Many individuals enquire as to whether trademarks are public knowledge. Yes, it is the answer. A trademark becomes public knowledge once it has been registered with the USPTO. The owner, registration date, and status of a given mark can all be found by conducting a database search on the USPTO website.
One choice is to apply for a “common law” trademark if you’re seeking for a low-cost solution to protect your brand. This kind of trademark can be created by just using the mark in commerce; no official registration is necessary. Common law trademarks, however, offer little protection and might be challenging to uphold in court.
Finally, it’s crucial to remember that trademarks expire. State trademarks in North Carolina have a ten-year lifespan and an option for a second ten-year extension. Federal trademarks have a ten-year term and an unlimited renewal period as long as the mark is still being used.
In conclusion, there are a number of variables that can affect how much it will cost to trademark a name in North Carolina. Expect to pay between $225 and $400 in filing fees for a federal trademark registration, in addition to additional fees if you choose to work with an attorney. Make sure to do a free search to make sure your mark is original before submitting an application for a trademark. Trademarks can be a useful asset for businesses even though they are public information and offer significant legal protections.