Trademark Renewal

The term of protection of a registered trademark is ten years from the filing date and it is renewable for periods of ten years. An application for renewal must be filed during the last 6 months preceding the expiration of the protection period. If an application is not filed within the above mentioned six month period, the mark may still be renewed within the 6 months following the expiration date, by paying a fine.

In the case of termination of the protection of a trademark for failure of renewal, another identical or similar trademark application covering identical or similar goods or services shall be refused where an objection is raised in the period of two years. Therefore, the grace period of two years is defined as a kind of priority right for the trademark holders to re-file their lapsed trademark by filing a new trademark application.