Step-by-step guide to trademark renewal online

Trademark Renewal Online

Trademark is your corporate asset, your name and the reason why your name is distinct from all the other brands in the market. Registered trademark implies a term of say 10 years within which it can be renewed. Renewal of trademark still guards your intellectual property and your company still retains exclusive right over your name, logo, or other marks.

Since recent years, the process of trademark renewal has been simpler with the help of the internet in most nations. Read below step-by-step process of trademark renewal via the internet and of safeguarding your rights and being compliant with the law.

What is Trademark Renewal?

By the term trademark renewal, re-registration of a registered trademark is implied. Trademarks do not have perpetual existence and hence at some pre-determined period need to be renewed, and most of them are usually to be renewed after 10 years of the date of their expiry. Not renewing a trademark in some predetermined period results in your exclusive right in the mark becoming extinct. Renewal of the trademark is accomplished through payment of renewal fee and filing of documents in the concerned trademark office in an effort to maintain the registration of the trademark.

Why Do We Need Trademark Renewal?

• Gives Exclusivity: Trademark renewal enables you to enjoy exclusive right to use your brand name, design, or logo.
• Legal Protection: It safeguards your trademark from others copying it and keeps you in the legal zone.
• Prevents Loss of Rights: An unregistered mark may result in loss of your right to continue, and others may register it.
• Brand Continuity: A fresh mark gives continuity to your brand and prevents confusion in the market.

Step-by-Step Guide to Renewing a Trademark Online

Step 1: Decide When to Renew Your Trademark

You would be renewing the trademark before the first trademark validity period expires. You would normally be asked to file for renewal at least 6 months before your trademark expiry date in most jurisdictions. You’ll usually be reminded by the relevant trademark office but you do need to put a reminder on the expiry date on your calendar so that you won’t forget.

US trademarks, for example, are 10 years. Other nations may, however, have some other than a 10-year term of having to renew or some other requirement for renewals, such as the obligation of submitting proof of use.

Step 2: Status and Requirements for Trademark

Verify on the status of the trademark before renewal. That is, verify whether the trademark has existence and if renewal requirements must be met. For example:

• Proof of Use: You will be required to present evidence in certain countries that the trademark had indeed been used somewhere in business. If the trademark was never used anywhere, you will be required to present evidence in the spirit of demonstrating continuous use in business.
• Trademark Amendment: If partially updated (such as new logo or design) trademark, ensure amendments are placed in the application for renewal.

Verify the aforementioned office’s marks register (like USPTO in the USA or EUIPO in the EU) to see if available data on trademark status include available data on renewal procedure. or special procedure

Step 3: Log In to the Trademark Office’s Website

Most trademark offices also have renewal offices online on their website. Start by accessing the website of the trademark office. The websites are simpler and will take you through the process to utilize, step by step. For example:

• USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office): Utilize the USPTO website and the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS). The TEAS system provides easy online renewal for you.
• EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office): Renew via the EUIPO electronic filing system for EU marks and renew online.
• WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization): Use the Madrid System and apply for trademark renewal via the WIPO website to renew trademarks globally.

Step 4: Complete the Renewal Application

Once logged in, you will be asked to complete the trademark renewal application. This should typically involve the following:

• Trademark Details: Enter your trademark registration number and accept application details.
• Renewal Term: Select your renewal term for your trademark. Trademarks are renewed for an additional 10 years in most instances.
• Proof of Use (if required): Provide proof of use of your trademark if required in your country. Advertising, bills, or packaging with the trademark are a few samples.
• Extra Information: Depending on the jurisdiction of the country, you might be asked to provide extra information like the owner of the trademark and address or notice if the trademark was ever utilized on the marked goods or services with registration.

Step 5: Pay the Renewal Fee

Once the application is complete, you’ll be required to pay the renewal fee. The fees vary depending on the country and the type of trademark registration, but they are typically in the range of $100 to $500 USD or more. Many trademark offices accept payments via credit card, bank transfer, or other secure online payment methods.

Double check the payment so that you send the right amount of money. Double check and check if early filing discount is offered in your state because you will save more money by doing it like this.

Step 6: File the Application

After filling mandatory information and remitting the renewal fee, post the application. On successful application posting, an electronic reference slip with reference number will be displayed. The slip can be retained as reference in case of any technical snag during renewal.

Trademark office will receive your renewal application and, hopefully, issue a renewal certificate preserving your trademark for the next term (typically 10 years).

Step 7: Verify Your Trademark Renewal Status

After submitting, double-check the status of your renewal application for any errors or documents required to be supported. Governments provide online tracking services to allow you to view your status application. Ensure the errors are rectified or the documents necessary for support to ensure the delay is not charged.

Step 8: Get Your Trademark Renewal Certificate

Once you successfully renew your process and pay the application fee, you get a certificate of renewal of trademark. The certificate ensures that your trademark was successfully renewed and will be protected in your country.

Conclusion

The renewed trademark revives your business name in the market. You do that effortlessly by again renewing the trademark online and protect your intellectual property for some upcoming years. Be careful to step by step go through such processes to keep your trademark new-looking and salvage your business and brand interests. You must stay proactive on trademark renewals in order to lose valuable rights and optimize continued legal protection your trademark offers.

FAQ

1.) How long does the trademark renewal process take?

Renewal of the mark will be typically weeks or months, jurisdictionally as well as in the context of whether there is something wrong with the application or not.

2.) Can I renew my trademark if I missed the deadline?

You have grace period of six months in a few countries because already it has expired when you renew the trademark but pay late filing fee as extra penalty. Your trademark is erased six months later.

3.) Do I need a lawyer to renew my trademark?

You do not always have to engage an attorney for your trademark renewal, especially when you renew on your own through the online means. Having an attorney, though, can advise you should there be challenges over your trademark or if there are further instructions to clarify to you the process by which your trademark is being renewed.

4.) What happens if I don’t renew my trademark?

If you fail to renew your trademark, you lose the trademark and rights incidental thereto. There can be someone who has a right to register marks this near, or even use your mark in his business without your consent.

5.) Is trademark renewal the same in all countries?

No, trademark renewal is not worldwide. Various regulations, time periods, charges, and prerequisites govern renewal of a trademark in various nations. Always obtain special advice from the home country trademark office.