Anyone filing a trade mark application with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) should pay particular attention to the number of classes of goods and services. The official basic fee covers up to three classes; from the fourth class onward, an additional class fee is charged for each further class. The official costs therefore depend significantly on the goods or services for which trade mark protection is claimed.
The fee structure is as follows:
| Type of fee | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Electronic trade mark application, including up to three classes | 290 € |
| Each additional class from the fourth class onward | 100 € |
A trade mark application covering up to three classes therefore currently costs EUR 290 in official fees. For each additional class from the fourth class onward, EUR 100 is added.
Accelerated Examination
Anyone wishing to speed up the processing of the trade mark application may request accelerated examination at the DPMA. The official fee for this is currently EUR 200 and is payable in addition to the application fee.
Term of Protection and Renewal
A registered German trade mark is initially protected for ten years. The trade mark protection can then be renewed repeatedly for further periods of ten years.
The following official fees currently apply for renewal:
| Type of fee | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee, including up to three classes | 750 € |
| Each additional class from the fourth class onward upon renewal | 260 € |
The renewal fee becomes due six months before the expiry of the term of protection and can initially be paid without a surcharge. If payment is made only after the expiry of the term of protection, surcharge fees may apply. Without sufficient payment, the trade mark will be cancelled with effect from the expiry of the term of protection.
Cumulative Official Fees Over the Term
The following chart shows, by way of example, the cumulative official fees for a German trade mark covering up to three classes. At the time of filing, EUR 290 is initially due. If the trade mark is subsequently renewed on time, the cumulative official fees increase every ten years by the current renewal fee of EUR 750.
For a trade mark covering up to three classes, the following cumulative official fees arise by way of example:
| Point in time | Cumulative official fees |
|---|---|
| Filing | 290 € |
| Upon renewal after 10 years | 1.040 € |
| Upon renewal after 20 years | 1.790 € |
| Upon renewal after 30 years | 2.540 € |
Unlike patents, utility models or designs, a trade mark can generally be renewed an unlimited number of times. If renewed continuously, trade mark protection can therefore be maintained permanently.
Conclusion
The official fees for a German trade mark application are initially manageable: for an application covering up to three classes, the current official fee is EUR 290. For long-term cost planning, the number of classes and the subsequent renewal fees are particularly relevant. Anyone wishing to use a trade mark permanently should therefore take into account not only the application fee, but also the recurring renewal fees.