A Crucial Step in Trademark Registration Why You Can't Skimp on CR Fee

The Veil of Trademark Registration Why Paying the Business Registration Fee Matters

In today’s fiercely competitive business environment, a brand has become one of the most valuable intangible assets for any company. Whether you're opening a small shop or launching an online brand, trademark registration has become an unavoidable step. Yet, many people still see trademark registration as simply paying fees, submitting documents, and waiting for approval - overlooking its deeper significance and legal importance. Particularly misunderstood is the step of paying the business registration fee, which is often ignored or seen as a mere formality.

So, just how important is trademark registration? And why is paying the business registration fee so crucial? Let’s pull back the curtain and take a closer look.

1. Trademark Registration Is Not Optional

At the early stage of starting a business, many entrepreneurs believe that the priority should be on developing products and growing the business, while trademark registration can wait. But reality can be harsh. In 2025, a media report highlighted a case where a startup launched an original children’s toy on Douyin TikTok China, which quickly went viral. However, shortly after its success, someone else registered the trademark, forcing the original creator to buy it back at a high cost - and even risking having the product removed from platforms.

This is not an isolated case. A trademark is more than just a logo or a name; it’s the core of your brand identity. It represents your brand’s reputation, quality, and consumer perception. If someone else registers your trademark first, it can not only disrupt your brand communication but also potentially cost you your market position.

2. Business Registration Fee More Than Just a Formality - It’s Legal Protection

Within the trademark registration process, paying the business registration fee is a crucial first step. Many believe that simply submitting the application is enough, but this is a misunderstanding. The fee is not just part of the process - it’s the foundation of legal validity.

According to the National Intellectual Property Administration NIPA website, trademark applications officially enter the review process only after the fee is paid. Without payment, the application is essentially non-existent. Once the fee is paid, the Trademark Office will conduct both formal and substantive reviews to determine whether the trademark meets the registration criteria.

Moreover, the act of paying the fee demonstrates the applicant’s genuine intent. In recent years, China has cracked down heavily on bad-faith trademark squatting. Applications that are submitted but not paid for are often treated as invalid and may even result in being blacklisted.

3. Risks and Protections Behind the Fee

A common concern is what if your trademark gets rejected after you’ve paid the fee? This is exactly where the system shows its logic. Trademark registration inherently carries some risk, and paying the fee reflects the applicant’s willingness to take on that risk - and signals the seriousness of their brand-building efforts.

At the same time, the payment system helps prevent abuse of the system. If anyone could submit applications without paying, the trademark database would be flooded with invalid or speculative applications, increasing the workload for authorities and delaying legitimate registrations.

Take 2025 as an example NIPA received over 10 million trademark applications that year, many of which were rejected due to incomplete documentation or non-compliance. Without a fee system in place, such a volume of invalid applications would severely impact the efficiency of the entire registration process.

4. The Cost of Not Paying Is Higher Than You Think

Some business owners try to cut costs by skipping trademark registration or using low-cost agencies, only to find their trademarks stolen or their applications rejected. What seems like a cost-saving move in the short term often leads to much higher risks in the long run.

In 2025, a popular bubble tea brand faced a major setback when a third party registered its trademark first. The company was forced to rebrand, losing hard-earned brand recognition and facing potential legal compensation. The damage went beyond legal consequences - it was a blow to customer trust.

On the flip side, brands that take trademark registration seriously often gain market recognition faster. One new consumer brand completed its trademark registration early on and ensured all procedures - including the business registration fee - were properly followed. As a result, the brand gained investor confidence and saw a significant increase in valuation during fundraising.

5. How to View the Business Registration Fee Correctly

First, the fee is not an end in itself, but a means to ensure the legal validity of the registration process. Second, the amount is relatively low - usually just a few hundred RMB - making it affordable for most businesses.

More importantly, once the fee is paid, the applicant receives an official Notice of Acceptance from NIPA - the first formal legal document in the trademark registration process. This document becomes critical in case of future disputes or legal challenges.

Thanks to the development of e-government, paying the fee is now more convenient than ever. You can complete the payment through the NIPA website, WeChat official accounts, Alipay, and other platforms - securely and efficiently.

6. Conclusion

Trademark registration has never been a simple administrative task; it’s a strategic move that affects a company’s long-term development and brand value. The business registration fee is not just a small step - it’s the first step toward legal compliance and brand protection.

In today’s brand-driven economy, ignoring trademark registration and the associated fees is like planting a time bomb for the future. It’s far better to do things right from the beginning than to face costly consequences later.

Don’t let short-term savings lead to long-term losses. Trademark registration starts with a simple payment - but it’s the first step toward building a strong, lasting brand. Do it right, and your brand will go further, faster, and with more confidence.