What is Trademark Renewal?
Registered trademarks have a 10-year validity and can be renewed indefinitely. The Registrar has set a wide window for you to do so, beginning from 6 months before the date of expiry. Even if you forgot, as even large organisations tend to do, you will be sent a notice to your registered address before the date of expiry. If you still do not file for renewal, the registrar may advertise its intention to remove the trademark in the Trade Marks Journal. This is, however, likely to happen only 12 months after the expiry date. Between 6 and 12 months after expiry, can be renewed on payment of a fine through a process called ‘restoration’.
Benefits of Trademark Renewal
Legal Protection
- if you believe your registered trademark has been infringed, you can easily establish your rights in court.trademark registration is essential in sectors in which piracy is rampant.
Business Opportunity
- A trademark is an intangible asset that can be enormously valuable, should your brand succeed. Think of Tide, Nike or McDonald's. Businesses can earn huge money in royalties through licensing agreements or even transfer of ownership to interested parties.
Unique Identity
- You would want your customers to identify your products or services with your brand. Registering your trademark is the first step toward ensuring this. The law would then prevent any similar words or slogans from being registered.