Trademark Renewal in India

Simply put, it's extending your trademark protection for another 10 years. Your original registration came with an expiry date. Renewal pushes that date forward, maintaining all your legal rights and protections.

Night and day difference. New registration involves extensive searches, examination for uniqueness, publication, potential oppositions - often taking 18-24 months. Renewal? File one form, pay the fee, and wait 3-6 months. Done.

Everything you currently have continues - exclusive rights to your brand name, ability to stop copycats, enhanced business value, and the foundation for international expansion. Let it lapse, and rebuilding these protections from scratch is expensive and uncertain.

Another full 10 years from your current expiry date. And yes, you can keep renewing forever - some Indian trademarks have been renewed continuously since the 1940s.

Absolutely. Unlike patents (20-year maximum) or copyrights (author's life plus 60 years), trademarks can last forever through renewal. Brands like Godrej and Tata have protected their marks for over a century this way.

Anytime from 12 months before expiry. If your trademark expires December 31, 2025, you can file from January 1, 2025. Earlier filing means less stress and no risk of missing deadlines.

Just two items: Power of Attorney (Form TM-M), Application for Renewal and renewal fee if someone's filing for you. Compare that to the pile of documents needed for new registration - renewal is refreshingly simple.

Yes, 100% online through the IP India portal. No physical visits needed—file from your office, home, or even while travelling. The system works 24/7.

You can file yourself, authorise an employee, or appoint a trademark attorney. Most businesses use attorneys to avoid technical mistakes that cause delays.

The IP India website provides real-time tracking. Just enter your application number to see current status, examiner notes, and expected timelines. Check as often as you like.

Based on current processing, 3-6 months from filing to certificate. Sometimes faster, rarely slower. The absence of opposition procedures speeds things up considerably.

No expedited option exists currently. Best strategy? File early in the one-year window. This builds in buffer time for any unexpected delays.

First 6 months after expiry: pay ₹4,500 extra as surcharge. Your trademark stays protected, but it costs more. Think of it as a late fee for procrastination

You'll need restoration - a formal process requiring explanation for the delay. More complex than regular renewal, with no guarantee of approval. Still possible, though.

Late renewal (under 6 months) is automatic with a surcharge (Additional Government Fee). Restoration (6-12 months) requires Registrar approval based on your reasons. One's a right, the other's a request.

Yes. No revival is possible after 12 months from expiry. You'd need to file a completely new application, hoping nobody else grabbed your mark in the meantime.

Immediately. We've seen expired marks re-registered by competitors within days. The register updates daily, and sharp operators monitor expirations.

No opposition procedure exists for renewals - a significant advantage over new applications. Once filed properly, renewal proceeds without third-party interference.

Full range of options: cease-and-desist letters, civil infringement suits, criminal complaints, customs recordal to stop imports, and domain name disputes. All require active registration.

Serious consequences: Punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than six months which may go upto 3 years and fine not less than ₹50 Thousand and may extend to ₹2 lakh. Repeat offenders face enhanced penalties. These deterrents only work with valid registration.

No changes allowed at the time of Renewal- what's registered is what gets renewed. But you may file separate application to add or alter registered trademark and deletion of goods , change in address of registered proprietor, deletion of goods and services and conversion of specification of class description, if any.

Continue using ® throughout the renewal process and after. Only registered marks can use this symbol - using it without registration is illegal.

Company registration gives you a corporate entity. Trademark registration protects your brand. Many businesses have their company name registered, but forget trademark protection, which may affect their proprietary rights in a legal dispute.

No examination for distinctiveness, no publication costs, no opposition handling. It's administrative processing, hence less professional charges is payable for renewal.

Per class. If your mark covers three courses, you pay three renewal fees. Each class needs a separate renewal, though you can file them together.

Government fees are non-refundable once paid. However, errors in office processing may qualify for re-examination without new fees. Professional filing reduces such risks.

Yes. Three classes mean three times of ₹9,000 (₹27,000) in government fees. Our professional fee structure offers discounts for multi-class renewals, though.

Depends on the plans. Keeping competitors away might justify renewal. But beware - 5 years of non-use makes your mark vulnerable to cancellation by others.

Indeed, active trademarks command better prices than near-expiry ones. Many businesses sell unused marks to recover costs or generate revenue.

Varies by brand strength, but impact is measurable. Valuation experts routinely assign significant worth to trademark portfolios. Expired marks have zero value.

Yes, you'll need to assign the trademark to the new entity. Can be done alongside renewal, but requires additional documentation and fees.

Each country is independent. However, if you use the Madrid Protocol with India as your home country, keeping Indian registration active is crucial for international validity at least for five years from the date of international registration.

Of course. No residency requirements. You just need an Indian address for service (usually your attorney's). Many global brands maintain Indian registrations this way.

Consider the Madrid Protocol for centralised management. Alternatively, international IP firms offer portfolio management services. Technology platforms also help track global deadlines.

Multiple reminder systems: digital calendars, trademark management software, and attorney reminders. Best practice: review your portfolio annually, not just near expiry.

Smart move. While not required, knowing the competitive landscape helps with strategic decisions. New conflicting marks influence enforcement strategies but registered proprietors gets statutory protection.

Everything: renewal intimation letter, journal publication, payment receipts, correspondence, and power of attorney. Digital copies with cloud backup are recommended. You'll need these for future renewals or disputes.

File Form TM-M to appoint a new attorney. Commonly, when businesses outgrow their original advisors or need specialised expertise, we handle many such transitions

For valuable trademarks, absolutely. The cost of errors far exceeds professional fees. DIY works for simple cases, but why risk your brand protection?

Assuming someone else is handling it. Unless you've specifically assigned responsibility with follow-up systems, nobody's watching your deadlines. Take ownership.

Different service, but complementary. Renewal maintains your rights while monitoring catches infringers early. Together, they provide comprehensive protection.

Active registration strengthens your position with e-commerce platforms, social media sites, and domain registrars. They typically require valid trademarks for infringement complaints.