What is the cheapest way to trademark a logo?

Asked by: Jazmyne Ritchie  |  Last update: February 20, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (21 votes)

The cheapest way to trademark a logo involves filing a TEAS Plus application directly with the USPTO using standard descriptions for goods/services, costing about $225-$250 per class, and ensuring you are already "using in commerce" to avoid extra fees, though you must handle all searches and potential office actions yourself; for basic, limited protection, even cheaper state registration or just using the "TM" symbol (common law) is possible but offers less scope.

What is the cheapest way to trademark my logo?

The cheapest way to get a trademark is to file a state trademark application, which is typically less expensive than a federal trademark application.

Can I trademark a logo for free?

There is no way to register a logo trademark for free because you will always have to pay at least a small fee that covers the costs of examining and processing your trademark application. There is no way to get a federal trademark for free.

How much does trademarking a logo cost?

Trademarking a logo costs at least $350 for basic government filing fees per class of goods/services, but total costs often range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, including optional trademark searches (hundreds of dollars) and using an attorney (adding $500-$1,000+), with recurring fees for maintenance. The core USPTO filing fee is $350 per class using the online TEAS system, but a professional search and legal help significantly increase the price. 

What is a poor man's trademark?

A poor man's trademark, in simple terms, is when a person mails to themselves in an envelope their underlying artwork or name they wish to trademark to themselves using the United States Postal Service.

How to File a Trademark in 2025 | Low Cost (Step-by-Step)

20 related questions found

Is it better to copyright or trademark a name?

You should trademark your business name, slogan, or logo to protect your brand identity and prevent customer confusion, as copyrights don't protect short phrases or brand elements, only original creative works like books or music; trademarking offers potentially indefinite protection for your brand, unlike copyright, which eventually expires. For logos, you often need both: trademarking protects the brand use, while copyright protects the artistic expression, so you might need a separate copyright for the logo's design itself. 

What is the rule 47 of trademark rules?

Under Rule 47 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, the opponents can file evidence in reply to rebut or to deal with the evidence filed by the applicants under Rule 46 and if the opponents do not file its reply under Rule 47, the Registrar of Trade Marks may consider that the averments made and documents relied upon by the ...

Is it better to trademark or LLC?

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) creates a legal business structure that separates personal and business assets for liability protection, while a trademark protects your brand identity (name, logo, slogan) to prevent consumer confusion, with an LLC being the foundation and a trademark securing your brand's unique identifiers, serving different but complementary roles in business formation and protection. You usually form the LLC first as the legal entity and then register a trademark to protect your specific brand name and logo used within that business. 

Can I trademark a logo myself?

You can file a trademark application yourself through the government's website, and it's the cheapest option at $350.

What are common trademark mistakes to avoid?

Here are some of the most common trademark mistakes—and how to avoid them.

  • Failing to Conduct a Proper Search. ...
  • Choosing a Weak or Descriptive Mark. ...
  • Relying Only on Common Law Rights. ...
  • Failing to Enforce Trademark Rights. ...
  • Ignoring Maintenance Deadlines.

Can ChatGPT create logos?

Yes, ChatGPT can help you make logos by generating ideas, creating initial designs (especially with image models like DALL-E 3), and refining them through iterative prompts, though getting a final, high-quality, scalable vector logo (SVG) often requires post-processing in other tools like Canva or Adobe Express. It excels at quickly brainstorming concepts and producing diverse visual options, but the results might need cleaning up to be truly professional. 

Do I need an LLC to trademark a logo?

Yes, you should get an LLC first before a trademark because the trademark application will need to identify the LLC as the trademark owner. You should create an LLC or business entity before you file a trademark application.

Can I make my own logo for free?

Yes, you can absolutely create your own logo for free using numerous online tools like Canva, Adobe Express, Shopify's Logo Maker, and Squarespace Logo Maker, which offer templates, drag-and-drop features, and customization options for fonts, colors, and icons, with many providing high-resolution downloads at no cost for basic use. 

Is trademarking a logo worth it?

It depends. Higher value tends to lie in name recognition rather than familiarity of a logo. Since logos change more often than names, it usually makes more sense to register a standard character mark to protect the business moniker itself.

What cannot be trademarked?

The following things cannot be registered as trademarks: Deceptive Words, Names, Phrases, Slogans (they are misleading) Merely Descriptive Words (e.g., Best ice cream, Red car) Merely Decorative Features (they don't identify source)

Is it better to copyright or trademark a logo?

You should primarily trademark a logo to protect its use as a brand identifier in commerce, preventing consumer confusion, while copyright protects the artistic expression of the logo as a creative work, though many basic logos don't meet copyright's originality threshold, making trademark registration the key for brand protection. Some complex logos might qualify for both, but trademarking is generally the preferred and stronger route for commercial branding. 

What is the 3 month rule for copyright?

The "copyright 3 month rule" refers to a key deadline for U.S. copyright registration: you must register your work within three months of its first publication (or before infringement begins) to be eligible to claim statutory damages and attorney's fees in a copyright infringement lawsuit, which can be crucial for remedies beyond just an injunction. Failing to meet this deadline means you generally can only sue for actual damages (harder to prove) if infringement occurs, but registration is still vital for other benefits and to sue at all, notes Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and Cotman IP. 

What is stronger, TM or R?

Legal Protection: The ® symbol provides stronger legal protection than ™. It gives you the right to sue for trademark infringement if someone else tries to use your registered trademark without permission.

What names to avoid for LLC?

You should avoid LLC names that are misleading, offensive, too similar to existing brands, or use restricted words like "Bank," "Trust," or "Insurance" without proper licensing; also steer clear of implying government affiliation or illegal activity and names that are hard to spell or remember, as these can cause legal issues, confusion, or hinder branding.
 

What comes first, LLC or trademark?

For most businesses, form your LLC first to establish a legal owner for your brand, then apply for a trademark under the LLC, but always conduct a trademark search before forming the LLC to avoid costly rebrands if the name is already taken. The LLC provides liability protection and a legal entity to own assets like trademarks; however, you need to know the name is clear before registering the LLC. 

Who owns the trademark I am the company?

iamthecompany.

I AM THE COMPANY is a trademark owned by Zeina Khalil Khoury, a Dubai based entity. The trademark was filed on 27 Feb 2024 with serial number (#98422538) .

What are the 4 types of trademarks?

The four main categories of trademarks, ranked by strength, are Fanciful/Arbitrary, Suggestive, Descriptive, and Generic, with Fanciful/Arbitrary being the strongest (e.g., Kodak, Apple for computers) and Generic being the weakest (e.g., "Aspirin" for pain relievers, which cannot be trademarked). These categories determine how much distinctiveness a mark has and the level of legal protection it receives, with fanciful/arbitrary marks being inherently strong and generic terms never receiving protection.
 

What are three requirements to be granted a trademark?

> V. The Requirements for Trademark Registration

  • No conflicts with other trademarks.
  • Trademark distinctiveness.
  • Use in commerce.
  • The capability to be a source identifier.

Can I use TM without registering?

Businesses may use the ™ symbol (note that service businesses use an SM symbol) to indicate that they consider a mark to be their trademark, even if it is not registered. This symbol provides notice to others of your claim of exclusive rights to the trademark.