Don’t Let Your Trademark Expire: How to Renew Your Registration Online

Do you have a registered trademark or service mark at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)? If so, it’s essential to stay vigilant and prevent it from expiring by filing renewals at regular intervals. Trademark renewal of federal registration can seem like a daunting process, especially with the confusing time frame that surrounds the renewal period.

In this article, we will guide you through the steps to successfully file your application for renewal of a registered trademark. Whether you have a small startup or a well-established brand, it is crucial to protect your intellectual property rights by keeping your federal trademark registration active.

By renewing your trademark, you can maintain exclusive rights to use your brand name and protect it from trademark infringement. Plus, it can save you from potential legal battles and financial losses in the future.

We will explore how to navigate the online renewal process, the necessary documents and fees involved, and provide helpful tips to ensure a hassle-free renewal. Don’t let your trademark expire and risk losing the rights to your valuable brand – let us show you how to renew your registration successfully online.

Trademark Registration and its Benefits

A certificate of registration for a trademark from the USPTO is a valuable asset that distinguishes your products or services from others in the marketplace. These are identifiers that distinguish your brand from the masses. It can be a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies your brand and sets it apart. Registering your trademark at the USPTO provides federal trademark protection alongside the exclusive rights to use it.

You can read more about the benefits of Trademark registration here. 

The importance of trademark renewal

Obtaining a trademark registration is a significant step in the right direction for brand protection. It is essential to understand that a registered trademark comes with future maintenance and renewal filings with the appropriate filing fee that keeps your registration alive. The primary responsibility of a trademark owner after registration is to ensure ongoing proper use of the trademark.

Loss of Exclusive Rights

When your trademark registration expires, you lose the exclusive rights to use your brand name or logo. This means that others can freely use your trademark, leading to confusion among consumers and dilution of your brand’s distinctiveness. Losing the exclusive rights to your trademark can have a detrimental impact on your brand’s reputation and market position.

Increased Risk of Infringement

Without an active trademark registration, it becomes challenging to protect your brand from infringement. Competitors may attempt to use a similar name or logo, causing customer confusion and potentially diverting business away from you. By renewing your trademark, you maintain legal protection and the ability to take action against any infringers.

Difficulty in Enforcing Your Rights

If your trademark registration expires, enforcing your rights becomes an uphill battle. To successfully pursue legal action against infringers, you need to have an active and up-to-date trademark registration. Letting your trademark expire weakens your position and may result in costly legal battles that could have been avoided by timely renewal.

Section 8 Declaration of Use

Although we are mostly covering renewal documents in this article, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Section 8 Declaration of Use and/or Excusable Nonuse. This is a required maintenance filing made between the fifth and sixth anniversary of the registration date. Typically, when filing any required maintenance/renewal document, a trademark owner is required to file a declaration of use which states that the owner is continuing to use the registered mark in commerce with the related products or services. 

So, for example, if you applied for a trademark in class 025 (Clothing) where you claimed to sell “Tshirts, sweatshirts, hats, and pants” but no longer sell sweatshirts when filing the maintenance document, the USPTO expects you to strike that product from the ID description for your registered trademark.

As part of its regular procedures, the USPTO carries out audits on registered trademarks to confirm that they are being used in connection with the goods or services specified in the initial application. If a trademark owner wants to eliminate goods or services that are no longer offered under the registered mark, they can submit a Section 71 request on their own behalf. Unless there is excusable nonuse, although rare, allowed under special circumstances beyond the control of the trademark owner, all goods or services no longer provided under the registered mark must be removed.

Failing to file the required maintenance and renewal documents can lead to the abandonment of your registered trademark. 

Understanding Trademark Renewal Deadlines

To avoid any interruption in the protection of your trademark, it’s vital to be aware of the trademark renewal timeline that applies to your registered mark/s. Trademark registrations typically last for a ten-year period from the date of registration. The expiration date is indicated on your registration certificate. It’s important to note that the expiration date is not the same as the renewal deadline. The renewal deadline is usually a few months before the expiration date, allowing ample time for the renewal process to be completed.

Failing to meet the renewal deadline can result in the cancellation of your trademark registration at the USPTO. 

Ninth and Tenth Anniversary

As mentioned above, a Section 8 declaration of use is usually a required filing with other maintenance and renewal filings. An application for renewal of a trademark registration is filed under section 9 and is filed between the ninth and tenth anniversaries of the registration. Therefore, during this renewal period, you are required to file both the declaration of use and an application for renewal. Trademark renewal fees for this kind of filing are $525 per class if filed before the 6-month grace period.  

Six-month grace period

Trademark renewal deadlines are strict, but the USPTO allows for a 6-month grace period after the expiration date. During this grace period, you can still renew your trademark, albeit with additional fees ($100 per class).

While it’s best to renew your trademark before the expiration date, the grace period provides a safety net if you miss the initial deadline. However, it’s important to note that once the grace period expires, you may lose your trademark rights permanently. 

Step-by-Step guide to renewing your trademark registration online

Renewing your trademark registration online is a convenient and efficient process. Follow these step-by-step instructions to successfully renew your trademark:

1. Check the renewal eligibility: Before initiating the renewal process, ensure that your trademark is eligible for renewal. Trademarks that have been canceled, abandoned, or have pending legal disputes may not be eligible for renewal.
2. Gather the necessary information: Collect all the required information and documents for the renewal application. This may include your registration number, current contact information, and any changes to the mark or ownership details. Additionally, the filings usually require proof of use of the trademark in commerce. 
3. Visit the official trademark office website: Access the electronic filing system of the USPTO for handling trademark renewals. Look for the registration maintenance and renewal forms.
4. Log in or create an account: If you already have an account with the trademark office, log in using your credentials. If not, create a new account by providing the required information. Make sure to give a valid email address that you check regularly to stay informed about deadlines and USPTO responses.
5. Initiate the renewal process: To renew your trademark, it is important to find the appropriate renewal forms for your filing and follow the instructions carefully. If you have any questions or need assistance, consider reaching out to the USPTO helpline or hiring a trademark attorney. It is crucial to provide all necessary details as requested to ensure a successful renewal.
6. Pay the renewal fees: Trademark renewal typically involves payment of renewal fees. Ensure you have the necessary funds and choose the preferred payment method available on the online portal.
7. Submit the renewal application: Review all the information provided for accuracy and completeness. Once satisfied, submit the renewal application through the online portal.
8. Receive confirmation: After submitting the renewal application, you will receive a confirmation message or email. Keep this confirmation as proof of successful renewal.
9. Update your records: It’s important to update your official records with the renewed trademark registration information. This includes updating your website, marketing materials, and notifying any licensing or distribution partners.

Hiring a trademark attorney for assistance with the renewal process

Failing to renew your trademark registration can have serious consequences for your brand. Here are some potential ramifications of allowing your trademark to expire: 

1. Loss of exclusivity: Without a valid trademark registration, you lose the exclusive rights to use your brand name. This opens the door for competitors to use similar marks, leading to brand confusion and dilution.

2. Increased risk of infringement: Without the protection of a registered trademark, your brand becomes more vulnerable to infringement. Others may use similar marks, leading to customer confusion and potential loss of business.

3. Legal battles and financial losses: Infringement cases can result in costly legal battles, where you may need to defend your rights or seek damages. Failing to renew your trademark increases the likelihood of such disputes and the associated financial losses.

4. Rebranding and lost brand equity: If you lose your trademark rights, you may be forced to rebrand your business. Rebranding involves significant costs and can erode the brand equity you have built over time.

5. Difficulty in enforcing your rights: Without an active trademark registration, enforcing your rights against infringers becomes challenging. It may require more time, effort, and resources to protect your brand in the absence of legal protection.

To avoid these consequences, proactively renew your trademark and protect your brand’s identity and reputation.

The consequences of failing to renew your trademark registration

Renewing your trademark registration online is a crucial step in protecting your brand and its valuable assets. By maintaining an active trademark, you can continue to enjoy the exclusive rights to your brand name and prevent others from infringing upon your business.

Understanding the importance of trademark renewal, the renewal process, and potential pitfalls is essential for every business owner. By following the step-by-step guide, avoiding common mistakes, and staying organized, you can ensure a smooth and successful trademark renewal experience.

Remember, a valid and active trademark is an investment in your brand’s future. Don’t let your trademark expire – take the necessary steps to renew it and safeguard your business for years to come.

Now that you have the knowledge and guidance to successfully renew your trademark registration online, protect your brand, and maintain your competitive edge in the marketplace. Don’t delay – start the renewal process today!

Conclusion: Protecting your brand through timely trademark renewal

Your trademark is not just a name or logo; it represents your brand identity and the reputation you have built over time. Failing to renew your trademark registration can have severe consequences for your business. Let’s take a closer look at the potential risks you face if you let your trademark expire: