The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office allows trademark applicants to conduct much of their business electronically through the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). Trademark applicants can file an initial application form online, as well as submit other documents including a response to an examining attorney's Office action, a change of address, an allegation of use, and post registration maintenance documents.
However, it appears that some people still like to use old-fashioned paper. To further incentivize trademark applicants to use TEAS, the USPTO is considering a fee adjustment.
As detailed in a recent Notice of Inquiry, the USPTO is proposing to reduce the TEAS Plus filing fee and provide a discount on applications filed using the regular TEAS application form, if the applicant authorizes email communication and agrees to file all responses and other documents electronically during the prosecution of the application. The USPTO is also contemplating increasing the fee for paper applications to more accurately reflect the higher cost of processing such filings.
The USPTO is specifically seeking feedback from the user community regarding reasonable fee amounts for the three methods of filing, appropriate discounts for agreeing to communicate electronically, and why some users prefer paper applications.
How Can We Help?
Your trademark is your company's unique face to the world and can add value to your products and services. Therefore, it is important that it be protected. For assistance with your trademark search, selection, prosecution, maintenance, or enforcement, please contact one of our experienced trademark attorneys today for a free consultation.
At Sheldon Mak & Anderson, we recognize that innovation is your competitive edge - and it needs protection. As a full-service intellectual property firm with more than two decades of experience, we provide local, regional, national, and international legal services in the following areas: patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, IP litigation, international patent and trademark prosecution, licensing, alternative dispute resolution, and green technology.
Contact our knowledgeable intellectual property attorneys today TOLL FREE at 1-855-UR IDEAS (1-855-874-3327) or email us at tri@usip.com to find out how we can provide powerful protection for your unique ideas.
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