USPTO Seeks Comments on Trademark Paperwork Updates
Published Date: 3/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is asking for your thoughts on updating the paperwork for the Madrid Protocol, which helps businesses register trademarks internationally with one simple application. If you’re involved in trademarks or international business, this affects you! Comments are open until May 12, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in—no extra fees, just a smoother process ahead.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Filing fees for international trademark actions
The USPTO estimates total annual non-hourly filing fees and postage of $41,700,722 for this collection. Key fees include a $600 fee for a Request for Extension of Protection to the United States (51,001 estimated responses totaling $30,600,600), a $325 renewal fee filed at WIPO (5,665 responses totaling $1,841,125), and a $100 electronic Application for International Registration (12,988 responses totaling $1,298,800). Many fees are charged per international class, so totals vary with the number of classes filed.
Time burden and hourly cost to filers
The USPTO estimates 91,024 annual respondents and responses, with each response taking between 0.75 hours (45 minutes) and 1.25 hours (75 minutes). The total estimated annual respondent burden is 96,109 hours and the estimated total annual respondent hourly cost burden is $42,960,723.
Use Madrid Protocol to file one international application
Under the Madrid Protocol, a trademark owner may seek registration in participating countries by filing a single international application through the USPTO. The Madrid Protocol came into effect in the United States on November 2, 2003, and is implemented under 15 U.S.C. 1141 et seq. and 37 CFR parts 2 and 7.
Electronic filing required (limited exceptions)
You must submit items in this collection electronically; only in limited circumstances may registrants submit by mail or hand delivery. The rule applies to all forms listed (MM2(E), MM4(E), PTO-1663, PTO-1683, PTO-2131, PTO-2132, PTO-2133, PTO-2314, PTO-2315, PTO-2316, PTO-2317).
Public access to registrations and pending applications
Both the U.S. register and information provided in pending applications are publicly accessible. This public access helps users determine if a mark is available and reduces the chance of adopting a mark already used by someone else.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19613, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) Actions
The USPTO is asking for public feedback on its paperwork rules for the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). This helps make sure the forms are easy to use and don’t waste anyone’s time. If you’re involved in trademarks, now’s your chance to comment before October 26, 2026, with no new fees or big changes planned.
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2026-17525, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Substantive Submissions Made During the Prosecution of the Trademark Application
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The United States Patent and Trademark Office (hereafter "USPTO" or "Agency") will submit the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, on or after the date of publication of this notice. The USPTO invites comments on the information collection renewal of 0651-0063, which helps the USPTO assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden to the public. Public comments were previously requested via the Federal Register on April 20, 2026, during a 60-day comment period (91 FR 20986). This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments.
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