Trademark registration is not automatically valid forever; it must be renewed before protection expires. Renewal is the only way to keep your rights in the mark running without interruption. This article explains when and how to renew.
How Long Does Protection Last?
Registered trademark protection is valid for 10 years from the application date. It can be extended an unlimited number of times by renewing every 10 years — meaning that as long as you renew on time, protection continues indefinitely.
When Is Renewal Made?
The renewal request must be made within the six months before protection is due to expire. If you miss that window, you can still renew within a six-month grace period after expiry by paying an additional fee. Once the grace period ends, the mark lapses.
Renewal Steps
- Submit the renewal request to TÜRKPATENT.
- Pay the renewal fee (which may vary with the number of classes).
- Renew the scope as it stands, or partially, by dropping some classes.
The representation of the mark cannot be changed at renewal; only the existing mark is extended as it is. To change the image, a new application is required.
What Happens If You Miss Renewal?
If renewal is not made — including within the grace period — protection ends and the mark becomes available for anyone to apply for. Someone else may then register your brand, which can lead to serious loss of rights. Tracking renewal dates is therefore critical.
How Not to Miss Your Renewal Date
Trademark watch and reminder services remove this risk by alerting you as the renewal date approaches. Webx tracks the terms of every mark in your portfolio and notifies you in time to renew. For general background on the process, see How to Register a Trademark. Contact us for renewal tracking.
Is Renewal Enough on Its Own?
Renewal is only half of keeping protection alive. The other half is use: even a mark renewed on time may be subject to a revocation request if it has not been put to genuine use for the goods and services registered for five years (Article 26).
The scope of the use requirement is set out in The Use Requirement and the Five-Year Rule, and the routes of revocation and invalidity in Can a Registered Trademark Be Cancelled?