How much does a trademark cost in Canada?
Written by For Founders Law, a Toronto firm licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. About us
Short answer
At For Founders Law, a trademark search and filing starts at $920 plus HST, covering a clearance search and a Canadian application for one class. CIPO's government fees are separate: in 2026, filing online costs $491.06 for the first class and $149.04 for each additional class. Additional classes and responding to an examiner's report can change our fee, and any change is quoted before work starts.
A Canadian trademark has two kinds of cost: the government fees paid to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), and the fee for the search and the application. Here is what we charge, what the government charges, and what can change either.
What does our fee include?
| Work | Starting fixed fee | What the starting price includes | What can change the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trademark search and filing | From $920 | A clearance search for conflicting marks and a Canadian application for one class of goods or services | Additional classes; responding to an examiner’s report |
Our fee is in Canadian dollars and excludes HST. CIPO’s filing fees are charged at cost on top. Your scope and fixed fee are agreed in writing before we begin. Current prices are always on our fees page.
What does CIPO charge?
CIPO’s fees page lists these 2026 fees:
| CIPO fee, 2026 | First class | Each additional class |
|---|---|---|
| Filing an application online | $491.06 | $149.04 |
| Renewing a registration online | $595.06 | $185.49 |
There’s no separate registration fee for applications filed on or after June 17, 2019. A registration lasts 10 years and can then be renewed under section 46 of the Trademarks Act. CIPO has announced that certain trademark fees will increase by 1.7% on January 1, 2027, so check its page before filing.
How many classes do I need?
An application lists the specific goods and services the mark is used for, grouped into classes. A software company might need one class for downloadable software and another for software as a service; a clothing brand with a podcast might need several. Each additional class adds to both CIPO’s fee and ours, and we quote the classes before filing. Try the trademark class finder to see which classes are likely.
What can add cost after filing?
An examiner may issue a report objecting to the application, for example because the mark is descriptive or close to an existing one. Responding to that report is quoted separately, before any work starts. The search before filing is meant to surface conflicts early, when changing the name costs less. See how do I register a trademark in Canada? for each step and CIPO’s timelines.
Isn’t my name already protected by my incorporation?
No. Incorporating or registering a business name is separate from trademark rights. A registered trademark gives you rights in the name across Canada for the goods and services it covers. See business name registration vs trademark and trademark vs copyright vs patent.
What else might a brand need?
Creators and media companies often pair a trademark with a content licensing agreement or brand deal contract; see our page for creators. For other startup work, see how much does a startup lawyer cost in Toronto?
This guide is general information about Canadian trademark law, not legal advice for your situation. To talk through protecting your name, book a free 15-minute consult.