Most businesses have many important trademarks to keep track of, but the protection offered by a trademark registration does not last forever. That’s why it’s so important to keep track of when it the trademark renewal opens. This can be tough for someone engaged in the day-to-day affairs of a business, but we have good news. An Orange County, California trademark lawyer from our firm is more than capable of helping you keep track of your valuable intellectual property.
When Does the Window Open for Trademark Renewal?
Once you have secured a trademark, the renewal period opens up between the fifth and sixth year after its registration. So if you do not submit any paperwork to renew a trademark, the protection for it only lasts six years.
Once you have completed the trademark renewal process once, your protection will last a little longer. Now you just have to renew your trademark every nine to 10 years.
This doesn’t seem so bad, but keep in mind that your business probably has many different trademarks to keep track of. Many were filed on different dates. Some have years before they can be renewed, but others are probably due for renewal right now! This can be tough for you to track on your own, which is where our law firm comes in.
Is There a Fee For Late Trademark Renewal Filing?
If you miss the deadline to submit trademark renewal paperwork, you are not completely out of luck. There is a six-month grace period that allows you to submit your paperwork, but be warned. It will cost you extra in fees.
When Is a Trademark Abandoned?
Your trademark is considered abandoned if there is no effort to renew it and it is not used commercially for three consecutive years. Remember, there is no extending a trademark renewal deadline. You have that six-month grace period and that’s it.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
Not necessarily, but many businesses have a lawyer to help them with trademark renewal and other related matters for a reason. You probably don’t have the time to stay on top of every trademark and when it needs to be renewed. A lawyer can handle this important task for you, ensuring that you don’t have to pay late fees or worry that a crucial trademark could end up abandoned.
Working with our law firm can also help you avoid scams. Some companies will send out paperwork and tell you that they can take care of your trademark renewal filing for a small fee. Some of these firms are legit, but others could take your money and disappear. Even when these are legitimate companies, you may end up paying hundreds of dollars in fees just to ask them for something simple, like printing a form that’s easily available online.
Contact Our Trademark Attorneys
So make sure that you have a reliable partner who can help you protect valuable intellectual property like trademarks. Contact Burns Patent Law to schedule a consultation with our team and learn more about what we can do for you.
