The TEAS Plus option is faster and less expensive than the regular filing option, but has more requirements and potential pitfalls, especially for the first time filer.
By Michael Kondoudis, Trademark Attorney
This is our COMPLETE guide to TEAS Plus, one of the two trademark application filing options offered by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office through its online filing system.
The TEAS Plus option is faster and less expensive than the regular filing option, but has more requirements and potential pitfalls, especially for the first time filer. Also, not every application qualifies for this streamlined option.
If you want to quickly learn the ins and outs of TEAS Plus, then this guide is for you.
Let’s get started.
CONTENTS
1. About TEAS
What is TEAS?
“TEAS” stands for “Trademark Electronic Filing System.” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) encourages all applicants to file their trademark applications online, and TEAS is the USPTO’s online application filing system. TEAS offers two filing options: TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard. Both options provide a pathway to seek registration, but the USPTO designed the TEAS Plus application to provide a less expensive and more streamlined option.
What is TEAS Plus?
TEAS Plus is one of two filing options offered in the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Filing System (“TEAS”). The other is TEAS Standard. TEAS Plus has more up-front requirements than the TEAS Standard option when initially applying to the USPTO but also requires reduced fees per class of goods or services.
TEAS Plus has the lowest filing fee but comes with more requirements than TEAS Standard.
What is a TEAS Plus application?
A TEAS Plus application is a new trademark application filed using the TEAS Plus filing option. TEAS Plus applications register faster than those filed using other options but have more initial filing requirements.
What is TEAS Standard?
TEAS Standard is one of two filing options offered in the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Filing System (“TEAS”). The other is TEAS Plus. TEAS Standard has fewer up-front requirements than the TEAS Plus option when initially applying to the USPTO but requires higher fees per class of goods or services.
TEAS Standard has a higher filing fee but fewer requirements than TEAS Plus.
What is a TEAS Standard application?
A TEAS Standard application is a new trademark application filed using the TEAS Standard filing option. TEAS Standard applications are more flexible and have fewer initial filing requirements than those filed by TEAS Plus.
2. The Requirements for TEAS Plus
There are two main requirements for TEAS Plus. The two main requirements for TEAS Plus are:
(1) provision of all of the information required by the application form, including the applicable additional statements; and
(2) an accurate description of your goods/services using only pre-approved entries from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual.
3. TEAS Plus vs TEAS Standard
There are several differences between the TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard filing options. These are the main differences:
1. Cost/Filing fees
2. How you identify goods and services
3. When you pay the filing fees
4. Additional technical statements
1. Cost/Filing Fees
The USPTO charges application filing fees for TEAS Plus applications at $250 per class of goods/services. For TEAS Standard applications, the rate is $350 per class of goods/services.
2. How You Identify Goods And Services
Every trademark application must include an accurate listing of the goods and/or services for which registration is sought. A TEAS Plus application filed using the TEAS Plus filing option requires that you build your listing from entries in the USPTO’s Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual (also known as the “ID Manual”).
When you file a TEAS Plus application, you are limited to the options in the Trademark ID Manual to build your listing of goods/services.
When you file a TEAS Standard application, you can use your own words to build your listing of goods/services.
3. When You Pay The Filing Fees
Every trademark application must be accompanied by an application filing fee, which is based on the number of classes of goods/services implicated by the listing of goods/services in the application.
For TEAS Plus applications, you must pay all application filing fees with your initial application.
For TEAS Standard applications, you can pay the application filing fee for just one class with your initial application and pay the rest later during the examination process.
4. Additional Technical Statements
A TEAS Plus application must include certain relevant additional statements when they apply to your trademark. You must provide additional statements when:
- Your mark includes non-English words (you must include an English translation).
- Your mark includes non-Latin characters (you must include a transliteration and either an English translation or a statement that the transliterated term has no meaning in English).
- Your mark includes color (you must include a claim that color is a feature of the mark and a statement naming the color and describing where the color appears on the mark).
- You have previously registered the same mark (you must state that you claim ownership of the prior registration).
- Your mark includes the name or likeness of a living person (you must identify the individual and provide the individual’s consent).
A TEAS Standard application filed using the TEAS Standard option permits an applicant to make these statements later – when they apply.
4. The Benefits of TEAS Plus
It is your choice whether to use the TEAS Plus option or the TEAS Standard option. A TEAS Plus application lowers your filing fee and increases the likelihood of your application moving more quickly toward publication and registration. Also, the success rate of TEAS Plus applications is higher than TEAS Standard applications. So, the TEAS Plus option is a way to decrease the risk of refusal of your application by the USPTO.
5. When to Use TEAS Plus
When to use TEAS Plus
You should file a TEAS Plus application using the TEAS Plus filing option when you can:
(1) provide all of the information required by the application form, including the additional statements; and
(2) accurately describe your goods/services using pre-approved entries from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual.
If you can make all required additional statements and your goods/services in the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual, then TEAS Plus is probably the better filing option.
When not to use TEAS Plus
You should not file a TEAS Plus application using the TEAS Plus filing option when:
(1) The USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual does not include an accurate pre-approved listing for your goods/services; and
(2) You don’t have all the information required by the application form, including the additional statements required by the TEAS Plus option.
If you are unsure whether additional statements are required or need a customized listing of goods/services, then TEAS Standard is probably the better filing option.
Which Types of Trademarks Qualify for TEAS Plus
Only applications for trademarks and service marks seeking registration on the Principal Register are eligible for TEAS Plus.
If you are filing an application for any of the following types of trademarks, you must use the TEAS Standard option:
(1) certification marks
(2) collective trademarks and service marks
(3) collective membership marks
(4) Applications for registration on the Supplemental Register
6. Searching the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual
What is the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual?
The USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual is a searchable database of pre-approved identifications of goods and services.
How to Search the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual
You can Searching the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual by following these four steps:
1. Navigate to the Manual at https://idm-tmng.uspto.gov/id-master-list-public.html
2. Enter your search terms in the search box and select the search icon
3. Review the search results. ID Manual displays search results in a table format.
4. Sort the search results by clicking on the various column headers of the results table (optional).
7. Do You Need a Trademark Lawyer?
Do You Need a Trademark Attorney to Use TEAS Plus?
No, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office strongly recommends that all applicants work with a trademark attorney – for several reasons. (see below).
Remember, the trademarking process is much more than just filling out online forms (that’s the easiest part of the process). The USPTO will only grant your application after meeting all of their many legal and procedural requirements.
Do you need help with your trademark?
Why Should You Consult a Trademark Attorney to File Your Application With TEAS?
Filing a trademark application with the USPTO to register your trademark starts a legal process that can get complicated, expensive, and confusing. Working with a trademark attorney can make the process smoother, faster, and result in better protection.
Also, studies show that working with a trademark attorney can increase your chances of successfully trademarking your brand by over 50%.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I file TEAS plus or standard?
TEAS Standard is the better option if you need a custom description of your goods and services. TEAS Plus is the better option for first-time or inexperienced applicants who can describe their goods and services using the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark ID manual.
2. Can I use TEAS Plus for intent to use?
Yes, you can file intent to use applications using the TEAS Plus application option.
3. What is TEAS in USPTO?
TEAS stands for the Trademark Electronic Application System, which is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s online filing system. TEAS permits you to submit application forms directly to the USPTO over the Internet and pay application filing fees by credit cards, electronic funds transfer, or through an existing USPTO deposit account.
4. What does TEAS stand for trademark?
TEAS stands for the Trademark Electronic Application System, which is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s online filing system. TEAS permits you to submit application forms directly to the USPTO over the Internet and pay application filing fees by credit cards, electronic funds transfer, or through an existing USPTO deposit account.
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For more than twenty years, Michael Kondoudis has been the go-to trademarking expert for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Michael is a USPTO-licensed trademark and patent attorney, educator, speaker, and author of the Amazon best-seller: Going From Business Owner to Brand Owner. He is also an authority trusted by national news media on major trademark stories.
Fun Facts: Michael is a member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and an actual rocket scientist (B.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics, Indiana University 1994).