A logo is often the single most recognizable asset a business owns — which is exactly why protecting it matters. Trademarking your logo stops competitors from using a confusingly similar mark and gives you legal ownership you can actually enforce.

Quick answer: You trademark a logo by filing an application with the USPTO (in the U.S.) after a clearance search confirms it isn’t already in use. Protection applies to the logo as used with your specific goods or services, and the current base filing fee is $350 per class of goods/services.

Trademark vs. copyright vs. registered: what the symbols mean

• ™ — claims a mark as yours. You can use it on any logo or name without registering anything; it signals common-law rights.
• ® — means the mark is federally registered with the USPTO. You may only use it after registration is granted.
• Copyright (©) — protects the creative artwork of the logo as an original design. A trademark protects its use as a brand identifier in commerce. Many logos qualify for both.

Can you trademark a logo?

Yes — as long as it is distinctive and not already in use for similar goods or services. Generic shapes, common clip art, and purely descriptive marks are hard or impossible to register. The more original and recognizable your mark, the stronger and easier the trademark. That starts with a properly built custom logo design rather than a template.

How to trademark a logo: the step-by-step process

• 1. Run a clearance search. Search the USPTO database (and the wider web) for identical or confusingly similar logos in your industry. This is the step that prevents a costly rejection.
• 2. Choose your classes. Trademarks are filed under classes of goods/services (the Nice classification). Pick every class your business actually operates in — each class is billed separately.
• 3. File with the USPTO. Submit through the USPTO’s Trademark Center, including a clear image of the logo and a description of how it’s used.
• 4. Respond to office actions. An examining attorney reviews the application and may raise objections (“office actions”). You respond within the deadline to keep it alive.
• 5. Maintain the registration. Once granted, you keep the trademark active by filing maintenance documents (and fees) at set intervals and continuing to use the mark.

Typical costs and timeline (2026)

The USPTO moved to a new fee structure on January 18, 2025. The base fee is a floor, not a ceiling — using free-form descriptions or filing incomplete applications adds surcharges.

Fees change — confirm the current figures on the USPTO fee page before you file.

Design factors that make a logo trademark-friendly

• Distinctive — a unique mark, not a generic shape or stock icon.
• Original — designed for you, so no one else holds prior rights to it.
• Not descriptive — it shouldn’t merely describe what you sell.
• Consistent — used the same way across your brand so the registration matches reality.

This is one of the most overlooked benefits of professional logo design: a distinctive, original mark is far easier to register and defend than a DIY or AI-generated one.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For a specific filing, consult a licensed trademark attorney.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to trademark a logo?
The USPTO base fee is $350 per class of goods or services as of 2026, with possible surcharges for custom descriptions or incomplete applications. Attorney fees, if you use one, are separate.

How long does it take to trademark a logo?
Roughly 12–18 months from filing to registration, depending on office actions and any objections.

Do I need a lawyer to trademark a logo?
Not legally (for U.S.-domiciled applicants), but an attorney improves your odds of a clean clearance search and a successful application.

What’s the difference between ™ and ®?
™ claims a mark informally and can be used anytime; ® means the mark is federally registered and may only be used after the USPTO grants it.

Can you trademark a logo you designed yourself?
Yes, if it’s distinctive and not already in use — but original, professionally designed logos are easier to clear and register.

Protect a logo worth trademarking

The strongest trademarks start with a distinctive, original mark. Get a professional logo design built to stand out — and stand up to a trademark filing — or explore all our design services.