How to Renew a Trademark in India and Why It’s Important

A trademark is much more than just a logo or name, it’s your business identity, reputation, and a promise to customers. Now imagine spending years building the brand, only to risk losing it because you missed a deadline. That’s exactly why renewing a trademark is essential.

A trademark refers to a unique word, symbol, sound, or sign that differentiates a company from others. It gives the sole right to use the brand name and maintains any kind of unauthorized use. Trademarks in India fall under the Trademark Act of 1999 and are registrable in the Trademark Registry Offices of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

But here’s the thing, once registered, a trademark is only valid for 10 years. If you don’t renew it before expiry, the risk of losing legal rights is high. To make sure your brand stays protected, you must renew a trademark in India before the time up.

Why Renewing a Trademark is Important

Renewing your trademark keeps a brand legally secure and valuable. Here’s what it offers:

Legal Protection: Trademark ensures no one else can use the same brand name without permission.

Exclusive Rights: This gives the power to take legal action against trademark infringement.

Monetary Value: A registered trademark is an asset. Business owners can license, sell, or transfer it.

Long-Term Ownership: Trademark is valid for 10 years and renewable as many times as needed.

If you renew a trademark on time, you maintain exclusive rights and avoid unnecessary legal troubles. It’s a small step with big benefits.

How to Renew a Trademark in India

Once a trademark is nearing the 10-year mark, the responsible person must act in time to secure the trademark. There are two options to renew a trademark:

• Renew trademark as: No changes are made to the existing trademark.
• Renew trademark with changes: You can make modifications if required.

The renewal application is filed through Form TM-R. It doesn’t need to be submitted by the trademark owner directly, an authorized agent or representative can do it too.

Steps to Renew a Trademark Registration

Reminder from Registrar: Brand owners receive a reminder of trademark expiry six months before.

Application Submission: File the TM-R form, either online or at the physical office.

Track Your Application: Keep checking the application status in case of any objections.

Publication in Journal: Once the trademark is approved, it will be published in the official Trademark Journal.

Trademark Renewed for 10 Years: Trademark is valid for 10 years after publication.

No Limit on Renewals: Renewing the trademark every 10 years to hold legal rights over the brand.

When renewing a trademark in India, it’s always smart to start the process early to avoid delays or extra costs.

Trademark Renewal Fees

The cost to renew a trademark depends on how you file it:

Physical Filing: ₹10,000

Online Filing: ₹9,000

Filing online is faster, cheaper, and more convenient. It’s the preferred method if you want to renew a trademark efficiently.

How to Restore a Trademark After Expiry

Missed the renewal deadline? Don’t worry, it’s not over yet. Under Section 25(4) of the Trademark Act, 1999, you can still restore your trademark within one year after it expires.

Physical Filing: ₹10,000 + restoration fee

Online Filing: ₹9,000 + restoration fee

Restoration gives you a second chance to keep your rights. But if you miss the one-year grace period, your trademark will be permanently removed from the registry. So if you're late, act fast to restore and renew a trademark before it’s too late.

Final Thoughts on Why You Should Renew a Trademark

A trademark is one of your business’s most valuable assets, it gives you brand recognition, legal protection, and even financial worth. But none of those benefits mean much if you don’t renew it on time.

Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, always keep track of your renewal deadlines. Choosing to renew a trademark online can save both time and money while keeping your brand secure.

Stay ahead of the deadlines, take action early, and make sure your brand continues to grow without disruption. By taking these steps now with Trademarkia support, you can secure your trademark in no time. Trademarkia helps businesses and individuals to register trademarks with expert guidelines in a fast and secure way.