Attorney Protection of Your Trademarks

FAQ Maintenance and Renewals
What do I have to do with my registered mark?
	Trademarks are granted for limited periods of time. Provided that you use them, and continue to maintain and renew them, they can go on indefinitely. Each country has different rules and regulations. The majority of countries now have ten (10) year renewal periods, including the United States.
	Additional U.S. Filng Requirement: In the United States, it is necessary to file a use affidavit during the sixth year of the initial registration. Failure to file a use affidavit will result in cancellation of the registration, and then you have to start all over. After a mark is in continuous use for five years from the registration date, additional rights come into existence further strengthening your mark provided that you file an incontestibility affidavit.
	Learn More About United States Maintenance and Renewals
What can we do for you?
	Without obligation, we are pleased to enter your marks into our computer system so we can remind you well before the due date of actions that need to be taken. Unlike real estate property taxes, where the government sends you a bill to pay your taxes, the trademark offices do not tell you when you have to maintain or renew your mark. They don't even send you a notice telling you when your registration is cancelled either.
When can I file?
	Under United States law, maintenance and renewal applications can now be filed within six (6) months after the due date for such filings upon the payment of additional fees, a belated filing. It is necessary to file a Section 8 affidavit during the sixth year of registration, otherwise the registration will be cancelled by the Trademark Office. If the mark was in continuous use for five years since the registration date, then it is possible, and recommended to file a Section 15 affidavit at the same time since the registration will thereafter become incontestable. United States Trademarks must be renewed every ten (10) years and it is necessary to demonstrate use of the mark at each renewal.
What do you need to tell us?
	Usually, all we need is: Mark Registration Number Registration Date Country Tell us if there have been any ownership changes since the mark was registered We can do the rest from there!

	Send us this information, and we will take it from there.