Trademark renewal: what to do and when

If you own a trademark, you need to treat renewal like a routine service for your brand — ignore it and you can lose rights. Most trademarks run for ten years from their registration date and then must be renewed to stay in force. Different countries handle timing and fees differently, but the basic idea is the same: file the renewal, pay the fee, and keep proof you still use the mark where required.

When to renew and what happens if you miss it

Start the renewal process well before expiry. Many offices let you apply up to a year before the renewal date. There’s often a short grace period after the deadline — commonly six months — but that usually carries an extra fee. Miss the grace period and the mark can be removed or made open for others to register, which is a headache you don’t want.

What does missing renewal feel like? You’ll lose the presumption of ownership and may have to reapply from scratch. That can cost more, take longer, and risk losing the right to use your brand exclusively. If your trademark matters to your business, set reminders and use professional help if needed.

Simple step-by-step renewal checklist

Follow this short checklist to keep renewal straightforward:

1) Check the registration date and renewal window — note the exact expiry and allowed early-filing period.

2) Confirm who owns the mark now. If ownership changed, record the transfer before or with renewal.

3) Gather documents and any proof of use if your jurisdiction asks for it (some countries want evidence the mark is still in commerce).

4) File the official renewal form for your office. Many countries offer online filing; use it for faster processing and lower fees.

5) Pay the renewal fee. Costs vary by country and by how many classes your trademark covers. If you miss the normal window, expect higher fees during a grace period.

6) Keep the receipt and official acknowledgment. Track the renewal status until the office confirms registration is extended.

Want to save headaches? Put renewal reminders in two places: your calendar and your legal file. If your mark covers multiple classes or countries, consider a trademark management service or an attorney to handle staggered renewals.

Small tip: if you plan to change the mark’s owner, address, or classes, sort that out before renewal so records are clean. Clean records reduce rejection risk and speed up processing.

Bottom line: renewal is routine, but it’s not automatic. Treat it like maintenance — a short, regular task that protects years of brand work. Miss it and you risk undoing all that effort.