For any growing company, pursuing concern ventures outside of their abode country is a natural progression of their expansion. Once your business has begun to consider commerce beyond borders—or, perhaps, has already started investing in international pursuits—it is time to consider what protections are in identify for the business name and branding elements that are working so diligently for y'all around the world.

International trademarks are an ideal way to ensure that your visitor name and products are safeguarded regardless of where in the globe business organisation is washed. Just similar American registrations, international trademarks are key players in preventing infringement by exterior parties, and they are incredibly useful in helping to settle domain disputes, equally well as many other potential advantages. Of course, the first step in securing these investments for your intellectual property portfolio is having a realistic idea of what such an endeavor may cost.

Madrid Protocol Filing Costs

One of the easiest ways to use for a trademark in multiple countries at the aforementioned time is through the Madrid Protocol. This treaty allows 1 application to be submitted to multiple member countries simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple versions of the application or your provision of different language translations. While not every nation in the globe is part of the Madrid Protocol, the vast majority of them are; this results in the almost streamlined filing option for a business pursuing business ventures away.

The fees for filing an international trademark awarding via the Madrid Protocol would be as follows:

1. Madrid Protocol fee: $740 (changes slightly due to exchange rates)

ii. Private country fees: $100-$850 per country (each country charges a filing fee, these fees vary country by country)

iii. Legal Fees: $950+ (legal fees typically depend on exactly how many countries you lot file in)

As you can encounter, there are iii "fee buckets" to consider. The starting time is the fee to just the Madrid Protocol system. The 2d is the fees for individual countries themselves. Finally, there is the legal fees for the preparation, filing and tracking of the application.

Direct Filing (via Local Chaser) Costs

There are some cases where the Madrid Protocol may non be a skillful option for international trademark filings. For example, if yous only need to file in i or 2 countries, the cost of filing directly via a local attorney could exist less than using the Protocol.

The cost of filing a direct trademark application in any given country via a local attorney are about $1500-$2500. The toll will vary country by country (depending on the filing fee) and will vary depending on how much service and time yous need from the local chaser.

It is typically not possible to file trademark applications yourself in a foreign country. That said, many United States trademark attorneys (such as ourselves) have existing relationships with these local attorneys to assist in making these filings quick and easily.

Need Professional Assistance?

Gerben Constabulary Firm has registered over 4,500 trademarks since opening our doors in 2008. We work with clients from all 50 states, and, from xxx+ countries around the world. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trademark attorney.

European Union Trademark Filing Costs

Another potent option to consider when filing internationally is to file an "EUTM." An EUTM (European Trademark) is one trademark registration that covers all Eu member countries. Of course, with the exit of the U.k. from the European union, the entreatment of an EUTM is slightly diminished, all the same, the price of the filing on a per country basis is perhaps the least expensive in the globe.

The initial filing fee for a trademark application in the European union is near $990 USD for a unmarried-class application (depending on substitution rates). An application with ii classes would add approximately $61, and each additional class thereafter would exist another $183. It is common for local attorneys in the Eu to charge $600-$800 to assist with the filing (on top of these filings costs).

Legal Fees for International Trademark Filings

Equally noted in a higher place, legal fees are typically a meaning portion of the costs of filing trademarks effectually the world. Though information technology may be tempting to forego hiring an attorney in gild to go along costs depression, it is to your advantage to make the upfront investment in trademark counsel to forbid plush mistakes downwards the road.

Trademark applications are nuanced, intricate legal documents, especially if they are not in your first linguistic communication, and errors can outcome in delayed registrations or even a refusal of the application. Furthermore, a trademark attorney is able to perform a clearance search in the country you wish to file prior to submitting your application, which can help yous empathize the risks surrounding the mark you have chosen in whatsoever given state. If needed, this allows y'all the time to brand modifications, therefore eliminating plush opposition proceedings downwards the route.

An attorney too has the feel and connections to navigate through a foreign country'due south application process—their professional person relationships with international counsel and other attorneys effectually the globe equips your application for success and gives you the all-time possible chance of obtaining your desired trademark.

If you would similar assistance determining the side by side steps for your trademark portfolio, demand communication nigh the Madrid Protocol filing procedure, or would simply like to review your options internationally, please contact an chaser at Gerben Intellectual Belongings for a consultation today. With experience filing applications around the earth and dozens of successful international registrations, Gerben IP is ready to help you expand globally.