Learn how to renew a trademark in 2025, avoid common pitfalls, and maintain legal protection for your brand at home and internationally.
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Registering a trademark is an important step in protecting a business’s brand, but trademark renewal is what keeps that protection active. Without renewal, a business could lose its exclusive rights to its name, logo, or slogan. This means another company could register the same trademark and gain legal ownership of the name.
If a trademark isn’t renewed on time, the owner may face costly legal battles in a trademark trial or even have to rebrand entirely. Renewing a trademark is a straightforward process, but missing deadlines can result in additional fees or the complete loss of trademark rights. This guide walks through the steps to renew a trademark and maintain its protection.
A trademark doesn’t last forever without maintenance. Trademark renewal is the process of confirming that a trademark is still in use and ensuring it remains legally protected. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requires periodic renewals to prevent inactive or abandoned trademarks from blocking new applicants.
For businesses with international trademarks, renewals follow different rules. The Madrid Protocol allows companies to renew multiple international trademarks through a single application, but renewal deadlines and fees vary by country.
The USPTO has specific renewal deadlines that trademark owners must follow:
If a renewal deadline is missed, the USPTO provides a six-month grace period during which the owner can still renew the trademark by paying an additional late fee. If the grace period expires, the trademark is canceled, and the owner must reapply for registration, potentially losing rights to the name.
Before renewing, confirm that the trademark is still in active commercial use. The USPTO requires proof that the mark is being used in commerce, such as product packaging, a website screenshot, or marketing materials.
Between the ninth and 10th year of trademark registration, the owners must file a Trademark Renewal (Section 9) along with another Declaration of Use (Section 8). This process must be repeated every 10 years to maintain trademark protection.
As of 2025, the USPTO fees for trademark renewal are:
After filing, check the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system on the USPTO website to track the application status. Trademark owners should also continue using the mark in commerce and monitoring for potential infringement to maintain strong trademark protection.
Failure to submit maintenance documents on time can lead to trademark cancellation, forcing the owner to restart the trademark application process and risk losing rights to the name.
The USPTO requires proof that a trademark is still in use. Submitting incorrect or insufficient evidence can result in renewal denial. Acceptable proof includes things like product packaging, advertising materials, or website screenshots showing the mark in active use.
If a business has changed ownership or rebranded, the trademark registration must be updated. Filing the appropriate amendments helps ensure the trademark remains in good standing and is linked to the correct owner.
If a trademark is not renewed by the deadline, the USPTO will cancel the registration. This means the trademark loses federal protection, and another business could claim the name. Reapplying does not guarantee approval, especially if someone else has already registered a similar mark.
Trademark owners have a six-month grace period after the renewal deadline to submit late filings with an additional late filing fee. If this window closes, the only option is to file a new trademark application, which restarts the entire federal trademark registration process and may leave the brand unprotected in the meantime.
If a business has missed renewal deadlines for a trademark or service mark, is unsure about filing requirements, or needs help proving trademark use, a trademark attorney or trademark renewal service can assist with the renewal process and potential reinstatement options.
Renewing trademarks registered outside the United States requires understanding the specific procedures and timelines of each jurisdiction. For businesses that have filed for international trademarks through the Madrid Protocol, the renewal process is centralized, simplifying management across multiple countries.
Note that these renewal processes are in addition to the renewal processes for maintaining a federal trademark.
The Madrid Protocol, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), allows trademark owners to seek protection in multiple member countries through a single international application. An international registration under the Madrid System is valid for a ten-year period from the registration date and can be renewed every 10 years thereafter. Renewal can be done online through WIPO’s eMadrid platform or by submitting the official renewal form (Form MM11). It’s crucial to renew on time, as failure to do so can result in the cancellation of the international registration and all associated protections.
Trademarks registered with the EUIPO, known as European Union Trademarks (EUTMs), are also valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year periods. The EUIPO sends a renewal reminder to the trademark owner or their representative six months before the expiration date. Renewal requests should be submitted, and the corresponding fees paid, within this six-month period. Late renewals are possible within a six-month grace period after expiration but incur additional fees.
While both the Madrid Protocol and EUIPO require renewals every 10 years, there are differences in procedures and fee structures. For instance, the EUIPO charges a basic fee of €850 for the first class of goods or services, with additional fees for extra classes. In contrast, WIPO’s fees for renewing an international registration under the Madrid Protocol are independent of the number of classes but may vary depending on the designated countries.
For businesses operating internationally, it’s essential to monitor renewal deadlines across different jurisdictions to maintain continuous trademark protection. Utilizing centralized systems like the Madrid Protocol can streamline the renewal process, but attention to each region’s specific requirements and timelines is crucial to avoid unintentional lapses in protection.
Renewing a trademark is essential to keeping your brand legally protected. If you’re preparing for an upcoming renewal, check your trademark status today to ensure you meet all requirements and deadlines.e difficulties protecting your brand if another company registers a similar name in a different industry before you expand.
Do trademarks need to be renewed?
Yes, trademarks must be renewed periodically to remain active. In the U.S., the first renewal is due between the 5th and 6th year after registration, with additional renewals required at the 10-year mark and every 10 years after that.
Is there a fee to renew a trademark?
Yes, the USPTO charges fees for trademark renewal. The standard renewal costs include:
How much does a trademark cost yearly?
Trademarks do not require yearly renewal fees, but they must be renewed periodically. The first renewal is due between the 5th and 6th year, followed by renewals every 10 years. The cost varies based on the number of classes registered and whether the renewal is filed on time.
Renewing a trademark is essential to keeping your brand legally protected. If you’re preparing for an upcoming renewal, check your trademark status today to ensure you meet all requirements and deadlines.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 800,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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