What fee is charged for filing the first trademark assignment?

The fee charged for filing the first trademark assignment is indeed $40. This fee applies to the registration of the assignment of a trademark from one party to another and is essential for maintaining accurate records of trademark ownership with the USPTO. Proper record-keeping helps to establish the chain of title for the trademark, which is crucial for enforcing rights against infringers and ensuring the continued validity of the trademark registration.

Given that the assignment process is critical for trademark transactions, the USPTO has set this fee to facilitate and encourage proper filings, which in turn promotes transparency in trademark ownership. Thus, $40 is established as the correct fee for the first assignment, reflecting the agency's goal to maintain updated and accessible trademark records.