Trade Mark Renewal
Trademark renewal is a process by which the owner of a registered trademark can extend the period of protection provided by the trademark registration. A trademark is initially registered for a period of 10 years, and renewal of the trademark registration can be done for successive periods of 10 years each.
The process for renewing a trademark registration is as follows:
- Filing of renewal application: The owner of the trademark can file a renewal application within six months before the expiry of the trademark registration. The renewal application must be made on the prescribed form, and the renewal fee must be paid.
- Examination of renewal application: The Trade Marks Registry will examine the renewal application to ensure that it complies with the provisions of the Trade Marks Act and the Trade Marks Rules.
- Publication of renewal application: If the renewal application is in order, the Trade Marks Registry will publish the application in the Trade Marks Journal.
- Objection period: The renewal application will be open for objections for a period of four months from the date of publication in the Trade Marks Journal. If no objections are received during this period, the Trade Marks Registry will proceed with the renewal of the trademark.
- Issuance of renewal certificate: If no objections are received, the Trade Marks Registry will issue a certificate of renewal, which will be valid for a further period of 10 years.
The benefits of trademark renewal include:
- Continued protection: Renewal ensures that the trademark remains in force and provides continued protection against infringement.
- Avoiding legal issues: Failure to renew a trademark can result in the loss of legal rights associated with the trademark and can lead to legal disputes.
- Brand reputation: Renewal of a trademark helps to maintain the brand reputation associated with the trademark, which can have a positive impact on the business.
It is important to renew the trademark on time to avoid any legal issues or loss of protection associated with the trademark.