Trademark renewal is a critical process to maintain ongoing trademark protection in China. This article provides guidance on calculating the validity period, renewal timing, recovery of rights after missed deadlines, renewal fees, renewal procedures during trademark transfers or changes, and recommends solutions for managing multiple trademarks efficiently.

Calculating the Validity Period

In China, registered trademarks have an initial validity period of 10 years, starting from the registration approval date. To continue enjoying trademark protection, timely renewal is mandatory.

When to Submit for Renewal

Trademark owners can file renewal applications within 12 months before the trademark's expiration date. There is also a grace period of six months following the expiration, during which renewals can still be filed, but with additional fees.

Missed Renewal Deadlines: Can Rights be Restored?

If both the standard renewal period and the six-month grace period are missed, the trademark registration will expire irrevocably. Under current Chinese regulations, restoration of trademark rights after missing the grace period is generally not permitted. Therefore, timely renewal is crucial to avoid losing trademark protection permanently.

Cost of Trademark Renewal

Trademark renewal fees in China typically include official government fees and agency service fees if using a professional representative. The official renewal fee is RMB 500 per trademark class if filed within the regular renewal period. However, filings made during the six-month grace period incur additional late fees, totaling RMB 750 per class. Agency fees will vary depending on the service provider selected.

Renewal During Trademark Transfer or Change

If a trademark transfer or registrant change is in progress, renewal can still be submitted without waiting for the completion of these processes. Renewal applications should be filed under the name of the current registered owner recorded in the official trademark registry. If a transfer or change has not been finalized, renewals must still be submitted under the original owner’s name to prevent expiry, and once completed, further updates to ownership information can be submitted separately.

Managing Renewal Deadlines with Multiple Trademarks

Businesses holding multiple trademarks can easily miss renewal deadlines, resulting in loss of valuable brand assets. To avoid this, utilizing specialized trademark management tools is highly recommended. The Kangxin IP Platform offers a dedicated brand management module, which automatically tracks and alerts businesses of upcoming trademark renewals and other critical deadlines, greatly simplifying trademark portfolio management and mitigating risks associated with missed renewals.

Conclusion

Trademark renewal is essential to maintaining continuous brand protection and avoiding costly interruptions in trademark rights. Companies should closely monitor renewal deadlines and understand renewal processes clearly, especially during changes of ownership or transfers. Leveraging advanced trademark management platforms such as Kangxin IP can significantly reduce administrative burdens and protect valuable intellectual property assets efficiently.