How Long Does a Trademark Last in the UK? A Guide for Businesses

Building a memorable brand is one of the most exciting parts of launching a new business. But alongside the catchy logo or slogan comes the practical question: how do you protect your brand-and for how long?

If you’ve heard that registering a trademark is essential for business protection in the UK, you’re already on the right track. But one of the first things most business owners want to know is: How long does a trademark last in the UK? Do you need to worry about it expiring just as your business begins to grow? Is trademark registration a one-off process or an ongoing obligation?

In this practical guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about trademark duration in the UK. We’ll cover registration periods, renewal options, ongoing compliance tips, and key pitfalls to watch out for. By the end, you’ll feel confident knowing exactly how long your trademark rights can last (and how to make sure you don’t accidentally lose protection along the way!).

What Is a Trademark and Why Does It Matter?

Let’s do a quick recap before we dive into the timeline. A trademark is a form of intellectual property (IP) that protects your business’s name, logo, slogan, or other “brand identifiers” from being used by someone else. In the UK, you register a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) to get exclusive rights to use that mark for specific goods or services.

Trademarks are essential because they:

• Stop competitors from copying your business name, logo, or tagline
• Build trust with customers by showing you own your brand
• Increase the value of your business-especially if you want to license, franchise, or sell your company later
• Give you legal rights to take action against unauthorised use (known as “infringement”)

If you’re not sure what types of protection are available or whether you need copyright, trademark, or patent, read our IP protection guide for a simple breakdown.

How Long Does a Trademark Last in the UK?

In the UK, a registered trademark lasts for ten (10) years from the date of registration.

This means that after you’ve registered your trademark with the UKIPO, you have exclusive rights to use that mark-and prevent others from using it-for a full decade. Pretty reassuring, right?

But there’s more to it. If you want to keep your trademark protection, you’ll need to think about maintaining and renewing your rights before that 10-year window ends. Let’s explore the key details.

How Does Trademark Renewal Work?

Unlike some types of IP (like copyright, which can last for 70 years or more), trademark protection isn’t indefinite with a single registration. But the good news is, you can renew your UK trademark every ten years-potentially forever, so long as you keep up with the renewal requirements.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• Your initial registration is good for 10 years from the filing date.
• Between 6 months before and up to 6 months after the expiry date, you can apply for renewal by paying a renewal fee.
• If you don’t renew on time, there’s a grace period (6 months after expiry) where you can still renew-but you’ll have to pay additional late fees.
• If you don’t renew at all, your trademark will expire and you’ll lose your exclusive rights. Anyone could then legally apply to register a similar or identical mark.

This is why it’s so important to keep track of your trademark expiry date and set reminders well in advance. Losing protection simply because of a missed deadline can be a costly mistake.

What If I Forget To Renew My Trademark on Time?

Many business owners wonder what happens if a trademark slips through the cracks. The rules are pretty clear:

• If you miss the regular renewal window (the 10-year anniversary), you can still file a late renewal application for another 6 months after expiry.
• You’ll need to pay extra fees to restore your registration during this grace period.
• If you still don’t renew after this 6-month grace period, your trademark will be removed from the register-and your legal protection is gone.

Once removed, anyone can apply for your trademark. Re-registering may not be possible, especially if another business picks up your brand name or logo in the meantime. That’s why a missed renewal is a serious risk.

How Long Do Unregistered Trademarks Last in the UK?

You may have heard of businesses relying on “common law” rights in passing off (using a brand without formally registering it). While unregistered marks can sometimes be protected, it’s a much weaker and riskier option. There’s no guaranteed term-your protection exists only as long as you can prove reputation and prior use, which is often expensive and hard to enforce.

Registered trademarks are always better for strong, ongoing protection and business value. If you want to learn more about the difference, check our breakdown of passing off vs. registered trademarks.

Do Trademarks Expire Automatically?

Yes-if you don’t renew your trademark at the ten-year mark, it will expire by default. There’s no “auto-renewal” for UK trademarks. It’s your responsibility as the business owner (or your IP solicitor) to make sure renewals are completed on time. If you’re looking for an easy way to keep track of renewals, consider working with a legal expert who can handle your IP admin and reminders.

What About Using the Mark-Do I Need to Actively Use My Trademark?

Another important requirement: you need to actively use your trademark for the goods and services it covers. If a trademark sits unused for five (5) or more continuous years, it can be challenged by others and struck off the register.

This is known as “non-use revocation.” To avoid losing your mark this way, make sure it’s being used in trade/commerce in the UK, according to the class of products/services you registered. Regularly review your brand use and keep records as proof-especially if your business expands, pivots, or stops trading temporarily.

Can I Renew My UK Trademark Forever?

Technically, yes! There’s no upper limit on the total duration of a trademark in the UK, provided it’s kept active and renewed every ten years. Some of the world’s most famous brands (think Coca-Cola, Shell, etc.) have had trademarks renewed continuously for a century or more.

If you see your business running for decades (or being sold, franchised, or handed down to family), this ongoing protection helps maximise the value and legacy of your brand.

How Much Does It Cost to Renew a UK Trademark?

Trademark renewal fees are set by the UKIPO and can change, so always check for the latest rates. As of June 2024, the renewal fee is:

• £200 per trademark per class (if submitted before the expiry date)
• Plus £50 per additional class (if your mark covers more than one class of goods/services)
• Late renewals (up to 6 months after expiry) incur an extra fee

It’s a good idea to budget for renewal every ten years as part of your long-term IP strategy. If you run multiple brands, logos, or want international protection, this cost can add up-so plan early and speak to an IP expert if you need more advice.

What Happens If My Trademark Expires?

If your trademark lapses and isn’t renewed, you lose all the benefits (exclusive use, ability to sue for infringement, etc.). Worse, a competitor-or even a scammer-could register your expired mark and benefit from confusion with your old reputation. This is why it’s so crucial to renew on time and keep your details updated with the UKIPO.

If you’ve missed your window, or someone’s “squatted” on your old brand, you’ll want urgent legal advice. Read up on cybersquatting and brand hijacking so you know what to look out for (and how to respond, fast).

Trademark Term: Quick Facts & Common Questions

• Trademark protection lasts for 10 years from the date of registration in the UK.
• You must renew every 10 years to keep exclusive rights-there’s no automatic extension.
• You can lose your trademark through “non-use” if you don’t actively use it for a period of 5 consecutive years.
• Trademarks can be renewed indefinitely-there’s no ultimate expiry as long as you keep up with renewals and use your mark.
• If you sell, franchise, or hand down your brand, the trademark can be transferred or licensed as a business asset.

How Do I Register or Renew a Trademark in the UK?

If you haven’t registered your trademark yet, or want to make sure your IP portfolio is set up for long-term success, it’s smart to:

• Research which classes of goods or services your trademark should cover
• Make sure your brand name or logo is legally available (not already registered by someone else)
• File an application with the UKIPO for the correct scope
• Set reminders for the 10-year renewal deadline (and keep your business/personal contact details up to date with the UKIPO)

If you’re ready to register your trademark, check out our straightforward UK trademark registration guide with practical tips for business owners.

For existing marks, you (or your solicitor) can file a renewal application directly with the UKIPO online, or contact an IP lawyer to manage your portfolio, ensure full compliance, and avoid any risk of missing renewal dates.

What Else Should I Do To Protect My Brand?

Registering and renewing your trademark is only part of building a legally secure business. You should also:

• Conduct regular trademark monitoring to make sure no one is infringing or copying your brand
• Use clear contracts and clauses in all your business agreements relating to branding, licensing, and partnership
• Protect any other valuable IP-like website content, app designs, or company documents
• Get professional advice before using or licensing your trademark in new territories (such as the EU or US)

All these steps will help you make the most of your trademark for as long as you own your business. If you’re ever unsure or want tailored advice, an IP lawyer can make the process smooth and stress-free.

Key Takeaways

• UK trademarks last 10 years from registration, but can be renewed every 10 years for indefinite protection if kept up to date.
• Forget to renew, and you risk losing exclusive rights to your brand, logo, or name-sometimes for good.
• You must also actively use your trademark in the UK; after 5 years of non-use, it could be cancelled.
• Registered trademarks are always stronger than common law or “unregistered” marks-protect your brand the right way.
• Avoid legal headaches by managing your deadlines and seeking expert guidance when registering or renewing marks, especially if you plan to sell, franchise, or expand your business.

Need help registering or renewing your UK trademark-so your brand stays protected for the long term?
You can reach us at team@sprintlaw.co.uk or call 08081347754 for a free, no-obligations chat with one of our expert team.