The first question in the federal trademark application process asks if you want to submit a Teas Plus or a Teas Standard Application.
The first difference between these two applications has to do with the goods and services associated with your trademark.
With a Teas Plus application, you can only choose goods and services that are pre-approved by the USPTO. The USPTO has an Identification Manual that includes all of the pre-approved goods and services, which is linked below. This is an ideal option if your goods and services are common.
With a Teas Standard application, you have greater flexibility with describing your goods and services because can either choose the goods and services already pre-approved by the USPTO, OR you can create your own specific language about your goods and services. This is an ideal option if your goods and services are uncommon or require a more detailed explanation.
A great way to determine whether to apply for a Teas Plus Application or a Teas Standard Application is to search for your goods and services on the Identification Manual, also known as the ID Manual, which is linked below.
So, for instance, suppose I’m selling t-shirts. This is a pretty common good, but I can double check by searching for “t-shirts” on the ID Manual. As you can see, “t-shirts” comes up as a search result, so I know that it is already pre-approved by the USPTO.
Or, let’s say I’m a veterinarian, and I search for the word “veterinary” on the ID manual. As you can see, veterinary services comes up. Since that accurately describes what I’m providing, I could use the Teas Plus option.
But what if I’m selling something uncommon or that requires a more detailed explanation?
Let’s say I’m selling headphones that also massage your ears. If I search for “headphones” in the ID manual, it does come up. But does that totally describe my product? Probably not. In that case, I may want to provide additional details about my product in order to fully describe it, such as “headphones that utilizes novel audio-technology to play music and massage the inner ear”. Since it’s important for me to provide more explanation in a way that does not neatly fit into the pre-approved language in the USPTO ID Manual, I would choose the Teas Standard application option.
The second difference between these types of applications has to do with the price.
The Teas Plus Application is $250 per Class, and the Teas Standard application is $350 per Class. Remember that the price is PER Class. For instance, if you choose the Teas Plus application for t-shirts in Class 25, and Purses in Class 18, you’ll pay for two classes at $250, which would be $500 total.
So, depending on your goods and services, the Teas Plus application allows a cheaper option. It also may reduce the processing time of your application. The reason for that is since you are using pre-approved languages, the USPTO will not have any corrections to your goods and services.
The second question asks whether an attorney is filing this application. Since you are filing this application without an attorney, you can click no for this question.
A quick note about this yellow box that talks about foreign domiciled owners. What this box is saying is that if you do not have a domicile in the United States, you are required to hire an attorney to file this application.
