When do I renew my trademark registration?

For most U.S. registrations, the first Section 9 renewal is filed together with a Section 8 declaration between the ninth and tenth anniversaries of registration. Additional renewals are due every 10 years thereafter.

The registration date—not the application filing date—is used to calculate these maintenance windows. Missing a deadline can result in cancellation or expiration, so owners should track the USPTO’s required filing periods carefully.

Trademark maintenance deadlines are measured from the federal registration date, not the original application filing date. Owners should keep their contact information current and monitor the USPTO record so important deadlines are not missed.

Federal can remain active indefinitely, but only if the owner continues to meet legal requirements. Unlike a patent with a fixed term, a trademark registration must be maintained through continued qualifying use and periodic filings with the USPTO.

For most U.S. registrations, a Section 8 declaration is due between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of registration. A combined Section 8 and Section 9 filing is generally due between the ninth and tenth anniversaries and every 10 years thereafter. A six-month grace period is generally available after these deadlines with additional fees.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency responsible for examining U.S. trademark applications, issuing federal registrations, and maintaining official trademark records.

A Section 8 filing is a declaration to the USPTO confirming continued use of a registered mark in commerce, or qualifying excusable nonuse, for the goods and services that will remain in the registration.