Does it cost money to renew a trademark?

Asked by: Daisha Ankunding  |  Last update: May 30, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (40 votes)

Yes, renewing a trademark costs money, requiring periodic maintenance fees with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (USPTO) at the 5th/6th year and every 10 years thereafter, including fees for Declaration of Use (Section 8) and Renewal (Section 9), which are around $325-$650 per class, plus potential late fees and optional incontestability filings, with online filings generally being cheaper than paper.

What is the fee for trademark renewal?

The official fee for trademark renewal in India is INR 9000/- for filing application for trademark renewal in one class. The official fee for filing trademark renewal with surcharge is INR 4500/- (surcharge) plus the trademark renewal fee.

How do I renew a trademark?

Application for renewal must be received by the Secretary of State within (but not before) the six month period prior to the date of expiration of the current registration together with the renewal fee of $30.00.

What happens when a trademark expires?

If your trademark expires, the following can occur: Loss of protection. Once your trademark expires, you lose the exclusive rights to use the trademark for your brand. You may not be able to enforce your trademark rights if another business uses a similar trademark.

How much does it cost to revive a trademark?

Fee to revive your abandoned application

If your application is abandoned for not timely responding to an office action, for example, you may file a petition to revive your application. The cost to file is $250.

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain A Trademark Registration

24 related questions found

Do you have to pay to renew your trademark?

Trademark Renewal Fees

Here are the fees you can expect during renewal: Section 8 Declaration: A per-class fee of $225 is required for each Section 8 Declaration of Use. Section 15: A per-class fee of $200 is required for trademark incontestability. Section 9 Renewal: Renewals have a per-class fee of $300.

Is it better to trademark or LLC?

An LLC protects personal assets from business liabilities (legal structure), while a trademark protects brand identity like names, logos, and slogans from copycats (intellectual property); they serve different roles, with an LLC forming the business foundation and a trademark safeguarding its brand, often used together for comprehensive business protection. Forming the LLC first offers a legal entity, but registering the trademark first secures brand rights earlier, with many recommending an availability search before either.
 

How do I renew my registered trademark?

A registered trademark can be renewed in India for an unlimited number of times on payment of the official fees, failing which the mark becomes liable to be removed from the Register of Trademarks. Trademark renewal is valid for a period of 10 years.

What is stronger, TM or R?

Legal Protection: The ® symbol provides stronger legal protection than ™. It gives you the right to sue for trademark infringement if someone else tries to use your registered trademark without permission.

Is Taylor Swift's name trademarked?

Yes, Taylor Swift has a massive trademark portfolio protecting her name, albums (like Midnights, 1989), iconic lyrics ("This Sick Beat," "The Old Taylor Can't Come to the Phone Right Now"), tour names, and even her cats (Meredith, Olivia, Benjamin) and fan terms ("Swifties," "Swiftmas") for various products and services. Her proactive strategy covers a wide range of merchandise and commercial uses to maintain brand control.
 

How often do you have to renew a trade mark?

The process of registering your trademark can take between three and four months, or longer if any objection is raised. However, once your trademark has been registered it will remain valid for a period of ten years. Once that time has elapsed, you will be required to renew your trademark to continue its protection.

Can a trademark be renewed after 10 years?

Trademark registration is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of application. The trademark can be renewed further for every 10 year periods thereafter. Application for renewal of the trademark can be filed on or before 6 months, before the expiry of the registration.

Are there annual fees for trademarks?

The online renewal fee is $325 per class of goods or services in the registration. The paper filing fee for renewals is $525 per class of goods and services. Section 8 declaration of use and/or excusable nonuse. The online fee is $325 per class, and the paper fee is $425.

How many times can you renew a trademark?

As long as you continue to use the mark in commerce and adhere to renewal requirements, your trademark can be renewed indefinitely, offering enduring protection for your brand. This feature underscores the importance of continuous and consistent use of your mark in business activities.

How often do you pay trademark fees?

Maintenance fees for U.S. trademark registrations are due to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 5-years after registration, 10-years after registration, and every 10 years thereafter. If paid on time, the USPTO charges $525 per class of goods and services to renew a trademark registration.

Can I trademark a name myself?

Unlike surnames, personal names (first names and first names used with last names) can act as trademarks without proof of secondary meaning because they are considered to be inherently distinctive.

What names cannot be trademarked?

Names that can't be trademarked are typically generic terms (like "Coffee" for coffee), merely descriptive terms (like "Best Tasting" for food) without proven consumer recognition, common surnames, geographically descriptive names, and marks that are deceptive, offensive, scandalous, or confusingly similar to existing marks, as well as official insignia or symbols. These are generally barred because they aren't unique enough to identify a single source or would hinder public use and fair competition. 

Can I put TM on my logo?

If your trademark is a logo or design, put TM or ® on the right side of your wordmark (names, terms, phrases) and in subscript so that it is in the lower-right corner. Alternatively, you can put the trademark symbol in the logo.

Can I renew my trademark myself?

Can I renew a trademark myself? Usually, it's possible to renew your trademark without a lawyer in the country of your residence, however, if you have a mark registered abroad, you normally have to hire an attorney to renew it.

How to pay trademark renewal fees?

Here's how you do it:

  1. Step 1: Check the Renewal Date. Go to the IP India portal and check when your trademark needs renewal. ...
  2. Step 2: Get Form TM-R Ready and Send It In. ...
  3. Step 3: Pay the Fees. ...
  4. Step 4: The Official Check. ...
  5. Step 5: Get Your New Certificate. ...
  6. Step 6: Keep Monitoring and Updating.

What happens if I don't renew my trademark?

Unlike copyrights and patents, trademarks don't have a fixed expiration date—but that doesn't mean they last forever. If you fail to renew on time, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will cancel your registration, making it available for anyone else to claim.

What names to avoid for LLC?

You should avoid LLC names that are misleading, include restricted words like "bank" or "insurance" (unless licensed), contain offensive language or suggest illegal activity, are too similar to existing trademarks, imply professional licensing you don't have (like "CPA"), or use overused clichés (like "Apex" or "Pinnacle"). Always check your state's specific rules and ensure the name isn't already registered or trademarked. 

Is it better to trademark a name or logo?

Since logos change more often than names, it usually makes more sense to register a standard character mark to protect the business moniker itself. With their generous set of rights, standard character marks allow you to preserve near-complete control over your business name.

What do you call yourself if you own an LLC?

If you own an LLC, you are legally called a member, but you can use titles like Manager, Managing Member, or even executive titles like CEO or President (especially if it's a single-member LLC or specified in the operating agreement) for public-facing purposes, balancing legal accuracy with professional presentation.
 

What does it mean to renew a trademark?

Definition & meaning

A renewal application for a trademark is a formal request submitted by the trademark owner to maintain the validity of their trademark registration. Under 15 USCS § 1059, this application must be sworn and filed to prevent the registration from expiring.