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Trademark registration in Canada with 2026 CIPO fees

A Canadian trademark protects your brand name across the goods and services you list. CIPO's 2026 fees start at $491.06 online, and fees rise 1.7% on January 1, 2027.

Founder Playbook3 min readBy PacTech Team

A trademark protects the name, logo or other marks customers use to identify your company. In Canada, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) examines and registers trademarks. For startups, filing early reduces the risk of a forced rebrand after you have spent money on marketing.

CIPO trademark filing fees for 2026

CIPO charges by the number of Nice classes, the international categories of goods and services, listed in the application.

  • Online application, first class: $491.06.
  • Online application, each additional class: $149.04.
  • Paper or other filing, first class: $640.10.
  • Paper or other filing, each additional class: $149.04.

A software company filing online in two classes would pay $640.10 in government fees in 2026. Professional fees for a trademark agent are separate.

January 2027 fee increase

CIPO states that on January 1, 2027, certain trademark fees will rise by 1.7% under the Service Fees Act. The online first-class fee becomes $499.41 and each additional class becomes $151.57. The fee you pay depends on the date CIPO receives payment, not the date you started the application.

Other CIPO fees to budget

  • Statement of opposition: $1,115.08 in 2026.
  • Online renewal, first class: $595.06 in 2026, plus $185.49 per additional class.
  • Recording a transfer of an application or registration: $125.00 each.
  • Extension of time: $150.00 per act.

Transfers matter for startups. If a founder filed personally before incorporating, the mark should be transferred to the company before a financing.

Fees after registration

Registration is not the last cost. Adding goods or services to an existing registration costs $640.10 for the first class in 2026, the same as a paper application. A third party can ask CIPO to issue a notice requiring you to show evidence of use, at a fee of $595.06 per notice. Keep dated records of how and where you use the mark so you can respond if that happens.

CIPO's roadmap explains the later stages. Once CIPO approves an application, it publishes the mark in the Trademarks Journal. The application is advertised for two months, giving others the chance to oppose. If someone files an opposition, the Trademarks Opposition Board notifies you and both sides can file evidence and arguments. An application can be refused in whole or in part, and decisions can be appealed to the Federal Court. If no one opposes, the mark proceeds to registration.

Planning a trademark filing

  • Search before you name. Check the Canadian trademarks database and the web for similar names in your field.
  • List goods and services precisely. Your protection covers what you list, so describe current and planned offerings.
  • Choose classes deliberately. Each extra class adds $149.04 in 2026.
  • File in the company's name. Investors expect the company, not a founder, to own the IP.
  • Plan for other countries. A Canadian registration does not protect you in the US or elsewhere.

Founder takeaways

File before launch if you can. Pay in 2026 to avoid the 2027 increase if your filing is ready. Keep evidence of first use of the mark. Use a registered trademark agent for clearance searches and for any office action or opposition. PacTech's IP and Trademarks module covers naming, clearance and filing strategy.

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Speak with a qualified Canadian lawyer or accountant about your situation.

General information. This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm the details with a qualified professional before you act.

Sources

  1. Fees for trademarks
    Canadian Intellectual Property Office
  2. IP roadmap: Your path to trademark registration
    Canadian Intellectual Property Office