In the current landscape of competitive commerce, a trademark may represent more than a symbol trademark or a logo. It signifies the face of your brand. A trademark is identifiable to your goods and services, builds customer confidence, and becomes an appreciated business tool. Yet, many businesses consider one important nuance in the ownership of a trademark - renewal. A trademark registration designation available for a trademark can be lost, if you do not successfully renew your trademark registration within the proper time. This raises a significant question; does a third party have the right to register and use the trademark that has been given to you and removed due to failure of renewal? The following article will explore this subject in thorough depth and evaluate whether someone may be able to register and use a trademark as well is the risk associated, and best practices to help recapture your brand identity through timely Trademark Renewal in India.
Understanding Trademark Renewal in India
The trademark is valid for ten years from the date of application and will continue to have protection as long as the owner files a renewal before the end of ten years. The renewal process makes sure the mark does not expire, and still remains in force as the exclusive mark of the owner. Trademark renew provides protection according to the Trade Marks Act,1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 in India.
The trademark renewal may be applied:
• At any time within six months of the expiry date of the trademark registration
• At any time within six months of the expiry date of the trademark registration, with a late fee option if the registration was dated six months to one day after the renewal period expires
The trademark will be removed from the register by the Registrar of Trademarks after the trademark is not renewed within six months of the grace period.
Importance of Trademark Renewal
If a trademark is not renewed, the owner will lose exclusive rights to the Trademark for the brand. This will affect the legal rights protection, and will increase the likelihood of competitors, or other third parties, using, or re-registering, your brand name.
Timely Trademark Renewals will:
• Provide ongoing legal protection.
• Give you exclusive ownership of the mark.
• Help maintain general brand legitimacy and recognition.
• Help prevent others from using or infringing your brand or registered mark.
What Happens When a Trademark Is Not Renewed?
If a trademark owner does not renew their registration within the renewal time, and applicable grace period, the Registrar of Trademarks will remove the mark from the Register of Trademarks. Once the mark is removed, the owner will have lost legal protection, and exclusivity, to the Trademark. They cannot advance an action for infringement against another, as they will no longer have trademark rights in that mark. Under Section 25(4) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, the trademark owner has an option to restore the mark this option is available for a limited time only.
Can a Removed Trademark Be Restored?
Certainly. If you have been removed from the federal register, due to not renewing your trademark, you can still seek to restore it within a year from the date of the expiration.
The Restoration Process.
In order to restore a trademark that has been removed, the owner must:
1. Submit an application for restoration in Form TM-R.
2. Submit the appropriate restoration and renewal fee.
3. Provide evidence that you still own and have been using the trademark.
The Registrar would then consider the request and restore/renew the trademark, if satisfied.
However, if the application is submitted more than a year after the period of restoration, the trademark will have been permanently removed and the rights lost.
Can Someone Else Register a Removed Trademark?
Once a trademark is removed from the register because it is abandoned (un-renewed) and if it is not renewed or restored in time, that trademark is available for someone else to register. But it is a little more complicated than that.
Legal Considerations and Practical Considerations
1. Section 25(4) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 provides that after a trademark is removed from the register, even if it was not renewed or restored, that mark shall not be open for registration for a minimum of a year. This one-year period gives the original registrant time to restore, if it chooses to file the appropriate application.
2. After one year, if the mark is for registration for someone else, the Trademark Registry will then start to determine if it is permitted registration.
3. However, if the removed mark is a strong brand or there is enough goodwill associated with the mark, the new registrant may still face objections under section 11(1) of the Act you cannot register the identical mark or deceptively similar mark in respect of a trade mark that is identical to, or resembles a well-known mark.
In short:
• If a trademark is not renewed and is removed (and not renewed where the registrant has one year time period), someone else can register that mark.
• If the mark is still being used in the economy, then the new registrant may face refusal or provisions in law that can still place them in the position of facing litigation.
Risks of Using or Registering a Removed Trademark
If you are considering registering a trademark that an individual previously owned, you need to ensure you understand the risks.
1.Possible Legal Conflict
Many previous owners of trademarks continue to use them in trade and assert common law rights based on passing off. Even if the trademark is no longer registered, this means your client's use may be subject to restrictions.
2. Objection by the Registrar
During examination, the Trademark Office performs a comprehensive search. If the mark you are attempting to register is confusingly similar to a mark that was removed but still active, the application for registration may face objection.
3. Reputation Collisions
If the mark was used by a previous business and has an established reputation, it may cause customer confusion and/or negative perception of your client’s goods.
4. Loss of Goodwill
If your client reconstructs or selects a brand name that was previously associated with another business, a customer may still associate your client with the previous or dormant brand, potentially diluting your client's brand identity and goodwill.
How to Avoid Losing Your Trademark Due to Non-Renewal
For business owners, it is always preferable to prevent than to restore. Here are the best practices to never lose brand enforcement due to non-renewal:
1. Set Renewal Reminders - Create a reminder for your trademark renewal date well in advance of its renewal date, ideally six months before the expiration date, so that you are not rushing for renewal or even letting it lapse.
2. Hire a Professional Trademark Renewal Service - Hiring a Trademark Renewal Service provider will help with not forgetting a deadline or legal issues. The process is as easy as ordering a beer with friends. Not only will a professional help track your renewal dates, but they will also handle your renewal documentation efficiently and accurately.
3. Keep Your Trademark Updated - When your registered address, email, and contact details are all up to date with the Trademark Registry, you ensure that they are sending you all official renewal notices.
4. Check the Trademark Status Regularly - If you check the Trademark Registry portal every so often, you can check that your mark is valid with the right status.
5. Continue to Use It - More importantly, keep using your trademark in business to maintain its distinctiveness and to prevent others from claiming it has been abandoned.
How to File a Trademark Application for Renewal
The procedure for submitting a Trademark Application for Renewal in India is uncomplicated but needs to be done properly to prevent rejection or delay in the process.
The process is as follows:
1. Fill out and submit the Form TM-R to the Registrar of Trademarks.
2. Submit the accompanying documents, including the trademark registration certificate, authorization (if filed through an agent or attorney), and proof of identity.
3. Pay the requisite trademark renewal fee ie. ₹9000 per class (if filed via e-filing) or ₹10,000 (if filed physically).
4. After completion of the trademark renewal process, expect to receive communication from the Trademark Office.
5. The said trademark will be renewed for an additional 10 years.
Timeline:
• Renewal can be filed six months prior to the expiry date of the trademark.
• A grace period will be extended for six months after the expiry date of the trademark, for which, late fees will be applicable.
• Restoration is only possible after one year of expiry from the expiration of the trademark.
Consequences of non-renewal
Unless renewed within the prescribed period, a trademark may be removed from the trademark register. The consequences of deletion of the trademark can be dire:
1. Loss of Exclusive Rights: A previously removed mark means that the previous owner has lost all legal rights in respect
2. Public Availability: The removed trademark mark may be registered by anyone else.
3. Risks to Brand Credibility: Competitors or unrelated parties will have a chance to register the brand name and devalue brand recognition and trust from customers.
It is therefore important for businesses to track trademark renewals and take steps to proactively take action.
Can a Removed Trademark Be Revived?
India has a mechanism for reinstating a lapsed trademark in specific circumstances. The original owner can apply for reinstatement after a removal (due to nonrenewal or other matters of administration). However:
• The application has to include valid reasons for the failure to renew.
• Reinstatement is subject to approval by the Trademark Registry.
• If reinstatement is not made in a timely manner, the trademark will be available to new applicants.
By utilizing a trademark renewal service provider, you can ensure you never miss a renewal, and you protect your brand from loss.
Why Businesses Should Not Delay Trademark Renewal
Failing to renew a trademark can have dire consequences including loss of trademark exclusivity, loss of brand equity, or potential infringement litigation. Some examples of the above include:
• A competitor registering your expired trademark and trading off your customer base.
• Customers believing the new user is related to the original business and the loss of goodwill.
• Litigating the matter to recover the trademark, which may or may not work.
So, in a nutshell, obtaining a professional renewal service is one of the easiest investments to protect a brand.
What Happens to Ownership Rights After Non-Renewal?
Ownership rights in a trademark can only be retained through proper registration. When a trademark is not renewed:
1. The previous owner loses the exclusive right to the use of that trademark.
2. A new application can be made by the original owner, but is will be very scrutinized and an opposition to the trademark may also occur.
3. In the event a competitor or third party registers the same mark or similar mark, if will make it complicated or unclear if the original business can trademark or regain trademark ownership of the name or logo.
Thus, it’s critical to renew trademarks to protect brand ownership and prevent disputes.
Benefits of Trademark Renewal
Renewing a trademark is not simply a legal obligation—it has many benefits for businesses:
• Exclusive rights continued: This protects the business from infringement and use by third parties without permission.
• Brand confidence is strengthened: Keeping the trademark registration protects the trust and reputation of the brand.
• Legal protection: Continued renewal speaks to the ability to maintain legal actions should the threshold be met for substantial damages.
• Growth opportunities: Renew the trademark to allow for licensing or franchising opportunities and to allow for preferred rights of the business to any investor who employees their brand equity.
Consider engaging a service to renew the trademark and the extended protections that accompany the renewal process; thus, ensuring to meet deadline requirements and to remain compliant.
Impact of Non-Renewal on Businesses
The marketplace consequences of not renewing a trademark can impact a business for the long-term:
1. Market - related confusion: A competitor can use a removed trademark once it has been moved from an active state.
2. Financial consequences: The loss of brand equity may alter a company's existing revenue stream and branding and marketing campaigns, including general perceptions of the product.
3. Legal issues: A new party has registered the trademark; the current owner would have to take legal action in order to reclaim their rights and that can take longer and cost a lot of money depending on situation.
4. Reputation concerns: Competition can undoubtedly leverage and trade on the brand's name, and that carries mass confusion and erodes the trust and credibility that you invested into your brand recognition and equity.
Hence, timely renewal is crucial for both small startups and established enterprises.
Conclusion
A trademark that has been removed from the register for non-renewal can clearly be registered by, and used by, someone else. However, if the trademark had a reputation in the past and/or it could lead to the potential for confusion, it could lead to legal action. In India, renewing a trademark is necessary for continued exclusive rights, to deter others from leveraging your trademark, without damaging brand identity and value. Using a trademark renewal service delivers streamlined efficiency, so you don't miss any deadlines or unintentional legal hindrances. In a competitive landscape, renewing your trademark can simply save your business from losing valuable intellectual property.
FAQs on Trademark Renewal and Removed Trademarks
1. What happens if I forget to renew my trademark in India?
If you fail to renew your trademark within the validity period and grace period, it will be removed from the register, and you will lose exclusive rights over it.
2. Can I restore my trademark after it’s removed?
Yes, you can apply for restoration of your trademark within one year from the expiry date by filing Form TM-R with the required fees.
3. Can someone else register my trademark after it’s removed?
After one year from the removal date, others can apply to register your mark. However, if your brand is well-known or still active in the market, they may face objections.
4. How long does a trademark remain valid after renewal?
Each renewal extends your trademark’s validity for another ten years from the previous expiry date.
5. What are the charges for filing a trademark renewal in India?
The government fee is ₹9,000 for e-filing and ₹10,000 for physical filing per class. Professional fees vary depending on the Trademark Renewal Service provider.
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