How long does federal trademark registration last?
Once a trademark or service mark is placed on the principal register, the owner receives a certificate of registration good for an initial term of ten years. The registration may lapse before the ten year period expires, however, unless the owner files a form within six years of the registration date (called the Sections 8 and 15 Affidavit) stating that the mark is either still in use in commerce or that the mark is not in use for legitimate reasons. The original registration may be renewed indefinitely for additional ten-year periods if the owner files the required renewal applications (called a Section 9 Affidavit) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Failure to renew a registration does not void all rights to the mark, but if the owner fails to re-register, the special benefits of federal registration will be lost.
Once a trademark or service mark is placed on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Principal Register, the owner receives a certificate of registration good for an initial term of ten years. The registration may lapse before the ten-year period expires, however, unless the owner files a statement within six years of the registration date (called a Section 8 Affidavit) stating that the mark is still in use in commerce. The original registration may be renewed indefinitely for additional ten-year periods if the owner files the required renewal applications (called a Section 9 Affidavit) with the USPTO. Failure to renew a registration does not void all rights to the mark, but if the owner fails to re-register, the special benefits of federal registration will be lost.
