Tourism, e commerce, international trade. Florida brands rarely sell to Florida alone. Here is the difference between a state and a federal trademark, and which one you actually need.
Run a free trademark searchFlorida's economy runs on customers from everywhere: tourists, snowbirds, online shoppers, importers and exporters moving goods through Miami. Very few Florida businesses genuinely sell only inside the state. That matters, because a Florida state trademark protects your name in Florida only. There are two separate registrations people call a Florida trademark. A state one goes through the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) and covers Florida. A federal one goes through the USPTO and covers all fifty states.
General information to help you decide, not legal advice. Trademark rights can depend on how and where a mark is used, the goods or services involved, prior users, and other facts. Source: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), Trademark and Service Mark. Secure Mark USA does not file Florida state applications.
Selling on Shopify or Amazon means customers in all fifty states, well beyond a Florida registration's reach.
Your guests come from everywhere and go home talking about your name. Protection that stops at the state line is thin.
Miami based trade businesses operate nationally and internationally. Federal registration matches that footprint.
| Florida state | Federal (USPTO) | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed with | Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) | U.S. Patent and Trademark Office |
| Protects | Florida only | All 50 states |
| Fee | $87.50 per class | $350 per class |
| Term | 5 years, renewable | 10 years, renewable |
| The (R) symbol | No | Yes |
A federal registration goes through the USPTO Trademark Center (which replaced the older TEAS platform). On current USPTO data, expect roughly 4.5 months to a first action and about 10 months to registration for a clean application, longer with a refusal, an Office Action, a suspension, or an opposition. Secure Mark USA prepares and files it for you from $99 plus the USPTO fee. Start with a free trademark search or read the complete U.S. registration guide.
Source: USPTO Trademarks Dashboard; USPTO, How much does it cost.
Run a free search. If the name is clear, we file your federal application from $99 plus USPTO fees.
Start my free searchFederal. A Florida only registration would not cover the out of state customers and competitors who make up most of your market.
$87.50 per class through Sunbiz, valid five years and renewable. Federal is $350 per class and lasts ten years per term.
No. Forming an LLC or corporation is separate from trademark rights and will not stop a competitor from using your brand name.
No. They are separate systems with separate records.
Only after the USPTO registers your mark federally, roughly ten months for a straightforward application, sometimes longer.
USPTO: Trademark Basics, How much does it cost, Trademarks Dashboard.
Florida: Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), Trademark and Service Mark.
Secure Mark USA: Free trademark search, Complete U.S. registration guide.