South Carolina has one of the cheapest state trademark fees in the country, just $15 a class. Here is what that actually buys, and when your brand needs the federal one instead.
Run a free trademark searchA fifteen dollar fee makes the South Carolina state registration look like an easy yes. Sometimes it is. But cheap and enough are not the same thing, and the state's economy makes that clear. The Port of Charleston moves goods worldwide, BMW and aerospace anchor manufacturing in the Upstate, and tourism brings customers from everywhere. A South Carolina registration protects your name in South Carolina only. "South Carolina trademark" means one of 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: South Carolina Secretary of State, Trademarks. Secure Mark USA does not file South Carolina state applications.
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 searchOnly if your business truly operates within South Carolina. It is cheap because it is narrow. It does not reach other states, grant the (R) symbol, or enter the federal database.
Federal. A South Carolina only registration would not reach the out of state customers and competitors your goods actually touch.
Five years, renewable in five year terms. Federal lasts ten years per term.
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.
South Carolina: Secretary of State, Trademarks.
Secure Mark USA: Free trademark search, Complete U.S. registration guide.