Registration of Trademarks - Classification and Online Filing Requirements

State Bills: Florida

Published July 1st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

Florida House Bill 679 modifies trademark registration requirements by eliminating state-specific classification of goods and services and mandating the use of an international classification schedule. The Department of State must establish a secure online portal for trademark registration and renewal applications by July 1, 2026.

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What changed

CS/CS/HB 679 removes Florida's existing trademark classification provisions and requires the Department of State to adopt the international schedule of Nice Classification classes for goods and services. The bill mandates creation of a secure internet website allowing electronic submission of trademark registration and renewal applications, with specified security and functionality requirements. The legislation passed with unanimous support (114-0) in the House and was signed by officers on March 31, 2026.

Registrants and their legal representatives should prepare for the transition by reviewing how the shift from state-specific to international classification may affect existing registrations or pending applications. Entities should ensure they can navigate the new online filing system and verify their trademarks are classified under the correct international classes when the July 1, 2026 effective date arrives.

What to do next

Review current trademark classifications under the new international schedule before July 1, 2026
Ensure access to the new DOS online trademark filing portal when launched
Update any internal trademark registration procedures to align with international classification requirements

Source document (simplified)

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Glossary of Legislative Terms

CS/CS/HB 679: Registration of Trademarks

GENERAL BILL by Commerce Committee ;
Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee ;
Greco

Registration of Trademarks; Removes provisions relating to classification of goods and services for trademark purposes; requires DOS to use international schedule of classes of goods and services; requires department to establish & maintain secure Internet website that allows submission of online trademark registration application and renewal application; provides website requirements; requires department to make online application system available by specified date; provides online application requirements.

Effective Date: 7/1/2026
Last Action: 3/31/2026
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Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
Bill Text: PDF
Senate Committee References:
1. Rules (RC)

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Bill History

| Date | Chamber | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 12/8/2025 | House | • Filed |
| 12/16/2025 | House | • Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
• Referred to Commerce Committee
• Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee |
| 1/12/2026 | House | • Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda |
| 1/13/2026 | House | • 1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
| 1/14/2026 | House | • Favorable with CS by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
• CS Filed |
| 1/15/2026 | House | • 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1) |
| 1/19/2026 | House | • Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
• Referred to Commerce Committee
• Now in Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee |
| 1/27/2026 | House | • Added to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee agenda |
| 1/29/2026 | House | • Favorable by Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
• Reported out of Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
• Now in Commerce Committee |
| 2/6/2026 | House | • Added to Commerce Committee agenda |
| 2/10/2026 | House | • Favorable with CS by Commerce Committee
• Reported out of Commerce Committee
• Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
• CS Filed |
| 2/11/2026 | House | • Bill referred to House Calendar
• 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
• Added to Second Reading Calendar |
| 2/19/2026 | House | • Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026) |
| 2/25/2026 | House | • Read 2nd time
• Added to Third Reading Calendar
• Read 3rd time
• CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0 |
| 2/25/2026 | Senate | • In Messages |
| 2/26/2026 | Senate | • Referred to Rules
• Received |
| 3/11/2026 | Senate | • Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 756
• Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
• Substituted for CS/SB 696 -SJ 756
• Read 2nd time -SJ 756
• Read 3rd time -SJ 756
• CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0 -SJ 756 |
| 3/11/2026 | House | • In Messages
• Ordered enrolled |
| 3/31/2026 | | • Signed by Officers and presented to Governor |