Requirements To Receive a Reduced Fee for Filing an Application Through the Trademark Electronic Application System

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is amending its rules to permit an applicant to pay a reduced fee under certain circumstances when the applicant uses the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) to file a trademark or service mark application for registration on the Principal Register under section 1 and/or section 44 of the Trademark Act. The Office will offer a reduced fee to TEAS applicants if the application meets certain filing requirements beyond those required to receive a filing date. The applicant must also file communications regarding the application through TEAS, and agree to receive communications concerning the application by electronic mail (e-mail) during the pendency of the application. TEAS applications that qualify for the reduced fee option will be referred to as "TEAS Plus" applications. The reduced fee option will not apply to applications filed pursuant to section 66(a) of the Act, because they cannot be filed through TEAS.