How Much Does A Trademark Cost?

If you’re a business owner seeking to register a trademark or wondering whether it is an affordable endeavour, this guide is for you. 

Very often businesses put off pursuing trademark applications or simply don't pursue them at all due to the perceived high costs or lack of necessity. The reality is that registering your business's trademark is worthwhile both from a cost standpoint and the all-important protection it affords you.

In this article, we’ll cover the costs involved whether you do this yourself or with professional help both for Australian applications and those made overseas.

Please note all fees listed in this guide are current as of November 2024. 

DIY Trade Mark Application Costs

There are no hard and fast rules regarding who can apply for a trademark application - it does not have to be a trademark attorney and is something you can pursue as a business owner directly through IP Australia. However, self-filed applications are more likely to fail than those filed through a professional trade mark attorney.

The cost of a DIY application will vary depending on the exact specifications of your request including how many classes of goods and services you list in the application. 

IP Australia offers two ways for applying:

1. Via their speciality pre-application service - TM Headstart or
2. Through their standard application process

The minimum cost for an application through TM Headstart is $330. This cost includes your pre-application fees as well as those involved in the finalisation of your application. Should you make changes to your application or add new classes of goods and services you will be billed an extra $150 and $200 respectively. 

For a standard application you can expect a minimum of $250, this includes access to a ‘picklist’ which is a searchable tool listing over 60,000 goods and services. It is designed to make the classification of your trademark easier during application. It is more expensive to apply without the picklist at $400 and you are required to draft your own list of goods and services. 

For a series trademark application covering a number of related trademarks such as a logo, phrase and business a picklist application is $400 and without a picklist $550. 

If at any time you add on additional classes on a standard application you will be charged $450 or $600 for a series trademark application. It is recommended to apply online rather than via post as postal applications also attract higher charges. 

Are DIY Applications Advisable?

The decision of whether to apply for trademark registration by yourself or via a trademark attorney is a commercial one.  While it is indeed less expensive to handle the filing of your trademark application yourself, it can be incredibly time-consuming and complicated.

Unless you are particularly savvy with paperwork and have a decent understanding of trademark law, it is easy to make mistakes that can see your application rejected. Incorrect or unnecessary additions could also see you paying more than necessary - something a professional can help you avoid. 

For busy business owners, the expense involved with trade marking a name and logo through a specialist attorney is more cost-effective than doing it themselves. Why? Because this allows them to run their business as normal and focus on other important things while this is all expertly handled for them. 

Your trademark is an investment in your business and these costs are a vital capital cost that should be budgeted for when starting out. 

Remember the cost for trade marking your business name is a small price to pay for long-term protection from exploitative copycats. 

Costs For Application Through A Trade Mark Attorney

At IP Guardian, we endeavour to keep the costs of our professional trademark registration services as low as possible. Costs for filing a trademark application via our office start at $1500 plus GST.  We generally suggest the follow this proven process to secure trade mark registration:

1. A professional consultation with a trademark attorney to understand your commercial objectives linked with the trademark.
2. A pre-filing search and preparation strategy that ensures your trademark meets the filing eligibility requirements. This is followed by a determination of the goods and services to be covered by your trademark and an assessment for possible future use overseas.
3. A decision on which application type is appropriate and whether any international applications should also be made.
4. Filing of the trademark application.
5. Reviewing and examination reports and preparing advice regarding examination reports where required.
6. Managing renewals and their associated costs for 10 years.

Additional fees may apply for amendments after filing or if objections are lodged post-filing by either the trade mark office or a third party.

Cost Comparison For Trademark Applications in Australia

As the table below indicates, while a DIY approach can represent a lower initial investment, the risk of rejection through improper filing is much higher. Added to this is the potential for several unexpected additional costs such as amendment fees and reapplication costs. 

Considering this, plus the many hours of unpaid time and effort that go into a DIY application, it is easy to see the value of engaging a trademark attorney. 

Application Type	Single-Class (DIY)	Multi-Class (DIY)	Attorney-Led Application
Initial Application Cost	AUD $250 per class	AUD $250 per class	AUD $1,500 - $3,000+
Application Format	Basic online filing	Basic online filing	Full-service legal application
Complexity Suitability	Simple trademarks	Simple trademarks	Complex or high-value trademarks
Risk of Rejection	Higher	Higher	Lowest (due to expert legal guidance)
Amendment Fees	AUD $150 - $350	AUD $150 - $350	Typically covered in the initial fee depending on the amendment
Additional Class Cost	AUD $250 per extra class	AUD $250 per extra class	AUD $250+ per class
Renewal Cost (every 10 years)	AUD $400 per class	AUD $400 per class	AUD $600 - $1,000 per class
Reapplication Cost	Full initial fees	Full initial fees	Full initial fees but reduced risk of this
Total Estimated Cost for Single-Class (Over 10 Years)	AUD $1,100 - $1,500	AUD $1,100 - $1,500	AUD $2,000 - $4,000+
Total Estimated Cost for Multi-Class (Over 10 Years)	AUD $1,100 + $250 per extra class	AUD $1,100 + $250 per extra class	AUD $4,000+

Does Working With A Professional Expedite The Process?

Not necessarily, trademark attorneys still have to follow the same application process as anyone else, however, they are significantly less inclined to make errors on applications. 

Errors on applications account for most delays in processing and for those inexperienced with trademark registration criteria, objections due to errors can be hard to understand. This often leads to delays in the application process.

A trademark attorney handles all aspects of the application for the most streamlined and stress-free process, which can certainly aid in a quick turnaround and approval. 

Attorneys can also help in requesting expedited examination in cases where there is a genuine reason for this. An experienced attorney will be able to advise you on the most appropriate options for your circumstances which can help get your trade mark registered as quickly as possible.

International Trade Mark Application Costs 

As your trademark only protects your rights in Australia, you may elect to pursue your rights overseas by filing your trademark in other countries of commercial interest. As there is no single route for obtaining a global trademark you will need to consider which countries you wish to obtain protection in and apply accordingly. 

Exact filing costs will vary from country to country but you should be prepared to upwards of $3500 or more for each country that you intend to pursue registration in. We highly recommend filing an international application through a qualified trademark attorney due to the complexities involved. 

Trade Mark Applications Made Easy With IP Guardian

At IP Guardian we have years of experience handling both Australian and international trademark applications. 

We are dedicated to ensuring appropriate, qualified advice is both accessible and affordable for Australian business owners and work tirelessly to ensure your intellectual property is adequately protected. 

To arrange your free initial consultation or learn more about how we can assist with the filing of your trademark application, contact our team today at 02 9071 0130.