How To Renew Your Trademark in the UK: A Legal Guide for Businesses

If you’ve taken the time to register your business’s trademark, you already know how valuable a distinctive brand is. Your logo, business name, or slogan sets you apart - but many business owners don’t realise that trade mark protection doesn’t last forever. If you don’t keep on top of renewal deadlines, your hard-won rights could lapse, exposing your brand to risk.

Sound daunting? Don’t stress. The trademark renewal process in the UK is fairly straightforward once you understand what’s required. In this legal guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to renew your trade mark, why timely renewal is crucial for your business, and what happens if you miss the deadline. We’ll also cover some essential considerations if you license your trademark or operate across multiple markets.

If you want to safeguard your brand and keep your legal foundations strong, keep reading to find out how to stay protected for the long term.

What Is Trademark Renewal and Why Does It Matter?

Registering a trademark gives your business exclusive rights to use a name, logo, slogan or other ‘sign’ for 10 years in the UK. But after that period, you need to renew the registration to maintain your protection.

Here’s why staying on top of renewal is so vital:

• If you don’t renew, your trademark will lapse. Anyone can then register your mark - including competitors.
• Without renewal, you can lose the ability to enforce your rights in court, block infringers, or license your mark to others.
• Your brand reputation, customer trust, and business value could all be undermined if your exclusive rights lapse.

Ultimately, trademark renewal is about future-proofing your brand and keeping your legal protections water-tight. It’s a simple admin step - but getting it wrong can be costly.

When Do You Need to Renew Your Trademark in the UK?

In the UK, registered trademarks are valid for 10 years from the original registration date. After that, you need to renew every 10 years to maintain your exclusive rights, and there’s no limit to the number of times you can renew.

You can renew a UK trade mark:

• Up to six months before the expiry date
• During a six-month grace period after expiry, but there are additional fees

It’s best to renew as early as possible - missing the deadline can result in late fees, and ultimately, permanent loss of your registration.

How to Renew Your UK Trademark: Step-by-Step Process

Let’s break down the full renewal process for UK-registered trade marks:

1. Check Your Expiry Date

You’ll find the expiry date on your certificate of registration or via the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) search tool. Remember: renewal is due every 10 years after the filing (not grant) date.

2. Receive a Renewal Reminder

The UKIPO sends a reminder about six months before expiry. Don’t rely on this alone, especially if your contact details have changed - set your own reminder, too.

3. Submit the Renewal Application

You can apply to renew your trademark online via the UKIPO website. You’ll need:

• The registration number of your trade mark
• Details of the mark owner (ensure these match the UKIPO record)
• Payment for the renewal fee (currently £200 for one class, plus £50 per additional class - as of 2024)

4. Processing and Confirmation

If your renewal is accepted (usually instantly online), you’ll receive an updated statement of renewal. Your protection then continues for a further 10 years.

5. What If You Miss the Deadline?

If you miss your renewal date, don’t panic - you still have a grace period of six months to reinstate the trademark by paying the renewal fee plus a late fee (£50 per late month).

If you don’t act within this period, your registration will be removed from the register, and you’ll lose your rights. At that point, re-registering the mark may not be possible if another business applies for it first.

What Information or Documents Do I Need to Renew My Trade Mark?

The renewal process is simple as long as your details are up to date. To renew, you’ll generally need:

• Your registered trade mark number
• The mark owner’s name and contact information (double-check these match the official register)
• Details of which classes of goods/services you wish to renew (if you’re reducing the scope, confirm you’re happy to lose protection outside those classes)
• Payment for the relevant fees

If the business has changed name or ownership since registration, you should update the UKIPO record before applying for renewal, or you could run into delays. Find out more about changing company ownership and trademarks.

Can You Renew a Trademark That’s Licensed to Others?

If your business has granted a trademark licence to another company or individual (for example, to a franchisee or distributor), you as the trade mark owner are still the responsible party who must arrange renewal.

Make sure your trade mark licence agreement:

• Clearly states who is responsible for renewal (usually the owner, but the licensee may be obliged to remind the owner or reimburse fees)
• Specifies what happens if the trade mark lapses - for example, this could give a licensee grounds to terminate the agreement
• Requires you to keep the licensee informed of renewal status

If rival businesses are using your licensed mark, lapsed protection can create confusion or even a legal dispute. For a closer look at licensing and IP protection, read our guide to protecting intellectual property or our overview of what to include in an IP licence agreement.

How Does Renewal Work for International and “Madrid System” Trademarks?

If your trade mark is registered internationally via the Madrid Protocol, renewal is managed through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This covers the UK and all other designated countries, but the timelines and fees may differ.

Important points for UK businesses:

• If your original filing was a UK national registration (not via WIPO), you renew with the UKIPO.
• If registered as a Madrid Protocol mark, renewal must be handled with WIPO, and it covers all listed territories collectively.
• Renewal reminders are still sent, but keep close tabs on expiry in all markets where you operate.

For more information about international trade marks and their renewal, check out our international trademark registration guide.

What Happens If You Don’t Renew Your UK Trademark?

If you allow your registration to expire and don’t renew in time, several things can happen:

• Your exclusive rights under the Trade Marks Act 1994 lapse.
• You may no longer be able to prevent others from using or registering an identical or confusingly similar mark.
• If your business is franchised or has a trademark license in place, you could breach the agreement and risk legal action from the licensee.
• The reputation and value of your brand could be seriously damaged, especially if another party registers or uses your mark after expiry.

Once a mark is removed from the register, applying to re-register it is just like a brand new application - and there’s no guarantee you’ll be successful if a third party has claimed it in the meantime.

Can You Reinstate a Lapsed Trade Mark?

If you realise soon after expiry that your trade mark has lapsed, you can still reinstate it by paying the renewal and late fees within the six-month window. Beyond this period, your only option is to reapply (with all the competition and expense that involves).

It’s always safer (and cheaper) to stay ahead of the deadline by keeping reminders in your calendar, using a professional renewal service, or working with a legal expert who tracks renewals for you.

Tips for Managing Trademark Renewal Efficiently

Here’s how you can make trademark renewal as stress-free and reliable as possible:

• Keep records: Maintain accurate records of expiry dates and renewal confirmations for all of your marks in each country you operate.
• Update official details: If your business name, address, or ownership changes, update the UKIPO register promptly so that renewal notices reach you.
• Automate reminders: Use digital calendars, spreadsheets, or specialist IP management tools to remember upcoming deadlines.
• Appoint a responsible person: In larger companies, allocate trademark management responsibility to a trusted staff member or your legal advisor.
• Use a legal adviser: Engage a lawyer or IP professional to monitor, renew, and protect your marks (especially if you have multiple assets or operate globally).

If you’d like to review the legal steps for overall IP protection in your business, visit our complete UK IP rights guide.

What Other Legal Considerations Should I Keep in Mind?

Renewing your trademark is just the start of keeping your IP safe. Consider the following ongoing tasks:

• Monitor for infringement: Keep an eye out for businesses copying or resembling your mark, and take enforcement action if needed.
• Review other countries: If you export, franchise or plan international expansion, make sure you renew your trade marks in all relevant territories.
• Maintain agreements: Ensure trademark licences, franchise agreements, and assignments are up-to-date and compliant with your renewed rights.
• Update Classes: If your business has diversified, review the goods/services “classes” your trade mark covers. In some instances, you may want to file a new application for expanded coverage.
• Check for changes in law: Trademark law occasionally updates, especially for international registrants after Brexit. Seek legal advice if you’re unsure about new requirements.

If you’re thinking of licensing your trademark, or if you’re not sure whether your current agreements are robust enough, our experts can review your arrangements and help you stay protected.

Key Takeaways

• UK trademarks last for 10 years and must be renewed on or before the expiry date to maintain protection.
• You can renew up to six months before expiry with the UKIPO, or during a six-month grace period with late fees.
• If your trademark is licensed out, the owner must manage renewal to avoid breaching agreements or risking loss of rights.
• For marks registered via the Madrid Protocol, renewals are handled through WIPO on a global basis.
• Reinstating a lapsed trade mark is only possible within a strict six-month window; otherwise, you’ll need to apply afresh, risking loss to competitors.
• Good record-keeping, regular reminders, and professional legal support help ensure you never miss a renewal deadline.
• Ongoing IP management, up-to-date licences, and vigilance for infringement are all essential to protect your business’s brand as it grows.

Need Help with Trademark Renewal or Brand Protection?

If you want expert help to renew your trade mark, manage your portfolio, or draft a trademark licence agreement, Sprintlaw’s team can guide you through every step. For a free, no-obligations chat about your IP protection or brand strategy, contact us on 08081347754 or email team@sprintlaw.co.uk. We're here to make legal simple, so you can focus on building your business with confidence.