Country guides
What it actually takes to file in each jurisdiction — who can apply, what documents are needed, how long examination runs, and what it costs.
🇺🇸 United States
USPTO
The USPTO is a use-based system: rights flow from actual commercial use, and examination is strict on specimens, descriptions of goods and the identity of the applicant.
- Trade mark timeline
- 10–16 months
- Trade mark, all-in
- $599
- Opposition
- 30 days from publication
- Local agent
- Required
🇨🇦 Canada
CIPO
CIPO no longer requires a declaration of use at filing, but examination is slow and Nice-class-specific fees make class selection a real cost decision.
- Trade mark timeline
- 20–30 months
- Trade mark, all-in
- $596
- Opposition
- 2 months from advertisement
- Local agent
- Not required
🇦🇺 Australia
IP Australia
IP Australia is one of the fastest and most predictable offices in the world, with an optional pre-filing headstart assessment and no attorney requirement for the applicant.
- Trade mark timeline
- 7–12 months
- Trade mark, all-in
- $479
- Opposition
- 2 months from advertisement of acceptance
- Local agent
- Not required
🇮🇳 India
IP India (CGPDTM)
India is first-to-file with an unusually low official fee for startups and small entities, but the process is document-heavy and hearings are common.
- Trade mark timeline
- 8–18 months
- Trade mark, all-in
- $154
- Opposition
- 4 months from publication in the Trade Marks Journal
- Local agent
- Required
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
UAE Ministry of Economy
The UAE has high official fees and a mandatory publication step, but a clean, comparatively quick examination once the paperwork is legalised.
- Trade mark timeline
- 9–14 months
- Trade mark, all-in
- $1,850
- Opposition
- 30 days from the date of publication
- Local agent
- Required