A Minnesota state trademark and a federal one are not the same thing at two prices. Here is what each covers, and which one a Minnesota business actually needs.
Run a free trademark searchMinnesota punches above its size in national brands: retail, medical devices, food, agriculture, a long list of headquarters. Almost none of them sell only within Minnesota, and neither do most of the smaller businesses that grow here. A Minnesota state registration protects your name inside Minnesota only. The phrase covers two separate registrations, a state one through the Secretary of State and a federal one through the USPTO that 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: Minnesota Secretary of State, Trademarks. Secure Mark USA does not file Minnesota state applications.
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 the federal application 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 search$50 per class is the mail in fee; $70 per class is the expedited online or in person fee. Either way it is per class, and it only covers Minnesota.
Federal. A Minnesota only registration would not reach the out of state customers and competitors who make up most of your market.
Ten years, renewable, the same term as federal but with state only reach.
No. Entity formation is separate from trademark rights and will not stop a competitor from using your brand name.
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.
Minnesota: Secretary of State, Trademarks.
Secure Mark USA: Free trademark search, Complete U.S. registration guide.