How To Renew A Trademark In The UK And Stay Protected

You’ve put real time (and money) into building a brand people recognise - your name, logo, tagline, or even a product line name. Registering a trade mark is one of the best ways to protect that brand in the UK.

But a registered UK trade mark won’t protect your brand indefinitely unless you renew it. That’s where trade mark renewal comes in.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how trade mark renewal works in the UK, how to renew a trade mark step-by-step, what happens if you miss the deadline, and how to make sure your trade mark protection supports your business as it grows. This article is general information only and isn’t legal advice.

What Is A Trade Mark Renewal (And Why Does It Matter For Your Business)?

A UK registered trade mark is an intellectual property right that protects your brand identifiers (like your name, logo, or slogan) for the goods and services you’ve registered it for.

In the UK, trade marks run on a 10-year protection cycle. That means:

• your trade mark registration lasts 10 years from the filing date; and
• you can keep renewing it indefinitely, in further 10-year blocks, as long as you pay renewal fees and follow the process.

From a small business perspective, keeping your registration renewed matters because if your trade mark lapses:

• you could lose the exclusive rights that stop competitors using confusingly similar branding;
• you may have to spend money re-applying (and there’s no guarantee you’ll get it back if someone else files first);
• it can complicate investment, partnerships, and business sales (buyers and investors tend to want clean IP ownership and protection).

Put simply: if your trade mark is part of your business value (and for most businesses, it is), renewing it on time is one of those “boring admin” tasks that can save you serious headaches later.

When Do You Need To Renew A UK Trade Mark?

You’ll need to renew your trade mark every 10 years.

The key date is the renewal due date, which is calculated from your original filing date (not the registration date).

How Early Can You Renew?

In the UK, you can renew in the 6 months before your renewal due date.

Does The UKIPO Send Renewal Reminders?

Yes - the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) sends renewal reminders to the contact address on the register. However, you shouldn’t rely on reminders alone.

Common reasons reminders get missed include:

• your business address has changed and the register wasn’t updated;
• the email went to an old inbox;
• the reminder was sent to a previous agent/representative;
• someone in the business assumed “someone else” was handling IP admin.

A good habit is to keep an IP register (even a simple spreadsheet) with:

• trade mark numbers;
• classes covered;
• territories (UK, EU, international);
• renewal due dates;
• who is responsible internally.

What If Your Branding Has Changed Since You Registered?

This is a big one. Many businesses evolve their logos, names, or product lines over time. If your brand has changed significantly since your original application, it’s worth checking whether:

• renewing the existing mark still makes sense;
• you also need a fresh application to cover your updated brand.

If you’re still shaping your IP strategy or you’re registering a new brand alongside an older one, it can help to get advice early - it’s often cheaper than trying to fix things after a dispute starts. If you’re looking to register something new, a Trade Mark Registration can be a practical next step.

How To Renew A Trade Mark In The UK (Step-By-Step)

The renewal process itself is usually straightforward - the tricky part is making sure you’re renewing the right trade mark, for the right owner, in the right territories, and at the right time.

Step 1: Confirm What You Own (And That Your Details Are Correct)

Before you renew, confirm:

• the trade mark registration number;
• the owner name (is it your limited company, you personally, or another entity?);
• the registered address and contact details;
• the mark itself (word mark, logo, etc.);
• the goods/services classes covered.

If the trade mark is owned by the wrong entity (for example, it was filed in a founder’s name rather than the company), you may want to transfer it so your IP records match how the business operates. The best timing can be fact-specific, so it’s worth getting advice. This is where a properly documented Trade Mark Assignment can be important.

Step 2: Decide Whether To Renew Everything

Some trade marks cover multiple classes, and some businesses no longer use the brand in all the areas originally registered.

When you renew, ask:

• Are we still using this trade mark for all registered goods/services?
• Have we dropped certain product lines or services?
• Is the mark still commercially valuable to us?

Renewing broadly can still be worthwhile, but it’s best to make a conscious decision - not an automatic one.

Step 3: Renew With The UKIPO And Pay The Fees

UK trade marks are renewed through the UKIPO (online). You’ll pay a renewal fee based on the number of classes.

As fees and processes can change, always check current UKIPO guidance at the time you renew.

Step 4: Keep Evidence Of Renewal

Once renewed, keep:

• confirmation of renewal;
• the updated expiry date;
• proof of payment;
• updated IP register entries.

This is especially useful if you’re later asked to show your trade mark status during due diligence (for example, an investor round or sale).

Step 5: Make Sure Your Contracts Match Your IP Position

If your trade mark is licensed to someone else (a distributor, franchisee, collaborator, or even another group company), your renewal ties directly into your commercial arrangements.

It’s worth checking that your agreements clearly deal with:

• who is responsible for renewal fees;
• what happens if the trade mark lapses;
• quality control provisions (so your mark doesn’t get “diluted” by inconsistent use).

This is often addressed through an IP Licence that’s tailored to how your brand is actually being used.

What Happens If You Miss The Renewal Deadline?

Missing a deadline doesn’t always mean instant disaster - but you’ll want to act fast.

Grace Period (Late Renewal)

In the UK, there’s a 6-month grace period after the renewal due date where you can still renew, but you’ll need to pay an additional late renewal fee.

If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t assume the trade mark is “gone” straight away. Check the status immediately and get the renewal lodged as soon as possible.

If The Trade Mark Has Fully Lapsed

If the mark is removed from the register because it wasn’t renewed in time, you may lose your registered rights.

The risks here can be very real for small businesses, including:

• another business filing an application for the same or a similar trade mark;
• having to rebrand if you can’t secure protection again;
• increased costs dealing with disputes that could have been avoided with timely renewal.

If you’re in this situation, it’s worth speaking to an IP professional about your options (which can depend on timing and the particular facts). A quick chat with an IP lawyer can help you understand the safest path forward.

Can You Keep Using The Brand If Your Trade Mark Lapses?

You can often still use a business name or logo in practice, but you may be relying on unregistered rights (like “passing off”), which can be harder and more expensive to enforce than a registered trade mark.

Also, once your registration lapses, you lose a lot of the “admin-friendly” benefits of trade marks, like:

• clear ownership evidence;
• simpler enforcement options;
• deterrence (the presence of a registered trade mark can stop copycats early).

Common Trademark Renewal Mistakes Small Businesses Make (And How To Avoid Them)

Most renewal problems aren’t caused by complex law - they’re caused by simple admin gaps. Here are some of the most common issues we see.

1. Renewing Under The Wrong Owner Name

If your trade mark is registered in a founder’s personal name, but the business is now run through a limited company, that mismatch can create friction later - especially if you:

• bring on co-founders or investors;
• sell the business;
• enter a licensing deal.

Fixing ownership early is usually cleaner than trying to correct it mid-deal.

2. Forgetting Overseas Trade Marks

Many UK businesses operate beyond the UK fairly quickly - selling into the EU or internationally via ecommerce.

If you have trade marks in multiple territories, you need to manage renewal dates in each system. They won’t always align, and renewal reminders might go to different addresses.

An IP register (and a recurring calendar reminder) can make this much easier.

3. Assuming Your Logo Registration Covers Your Name (Or Vice Versa)

Trade marks can be registered in different formats, such as:

• word marks (your brand name in plain text);
• figurative marks (logos);
• combined marks (logo + words).

Renewing one doesn’t automatically protect the others. Make sure you understand what each registration actually covers.

4. Not Reviewing Your Classes Against Your Current Business Model

When you renew, it’s a good time to ask whether your registration still matches what you do now.

For example, you might have started in one service category and expanded into digital products, training, or physical goods. Renewing protects what you registered - not what you “meant” to register.

5. Not Having Clear Brand Use Rules Internally

Trade mark protection isn’t just about the register - it’s also about consistent, correct use in real life.

If your team uses different versions of your brand (different spellings, different logos, inconsistent taglines), your brand can become harder to police and weaker in a dispute.

This is where internal rules and training help, and for some businesses internal brand guidelines can also support consistency.

How Trademark Renewals Fit Into Your Wider Brand Protection Strategy

Renewal is the “keep it alive” step - but it’s only one part of staying protected.

Monitor And Enforce Your Trade Mark

If you spot a competitor using something confusingly similar, early action is usually easier (and cheaper) than waiting until the market is confused.

Practical steps include:

• setting up alerts for similar names being used online;
• monitoring new filings (if relevant to your industry);
• having a plan for responding to infringement.

Use The Right Agreements When Working With Third Parties

Whenever someone else is using your brand - a manufacturer, marketing agency, reseller, franchisee, influencer, or collaborator - you want clarity about what they can and can’t do.

In many cases, that means having:

• an IP licence arrangement (so use is authorised and controlled);
• brand guidelines and approval processes;
• clear termination rights if brand use becomes damaging.

Make Sure Your Trade Mark Strategy Matches Your Commercial Reality

Imagine your business is growing quickly and you’re about to sign a distribution deal. If your core trade mark is six months from expiry and no one has checked renewal status, that’s a needless risk during negotiations.

Similarly, if you’re entering new markets, product categories, or launching a new brand name, you may need additional registrations rather than relying on older ones.

Don’t Forget Contract Basics When You’re Commercialising Your Brand

If you’re signing agreements around brand collaborations or licensing, it helps to make sure your contracts are properly formed and enforceable. Even outside IP, understanding legally binding contracts can prevent disputes about who can use what, and on what terms.

Key Takeaways

• UK trade marks last 10 years and need renewing to stay protected.
• You can renew in the 6 months before the expiry date, and there is a 6-month late renewal grace period (with extra fees).
• Before you renew, confirm the owner details, classes, and whether the trade mark still matches your current brand and business model.
• If your trade mark ownership has changed (for example, from founder to company), consider a formal assignment so your IP records match how your business operates.
• Renewal is a good moment to review your wider brand strategy, including licensing, enforcement, and contract protections.
• If you’ve missed a deadline or you’re unsure what to renew (or whether you need a new filing), getting tailored advice early can save time and cost later.

If you’d like help with trade mark renewals, trade mark strategy, or protecting your brand as your business grows, you can reach us at 08081347754 or team@sprintlaw.co.uk for a free, no-obligations chat.