Trademark Renewal in India
Don't let your trademark lapse. Renew online under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and stay protected for another 10 years — Form TM-R filing, documentation and deadline tracking, handled end to end by Mark Bureau.
- Proactive deadline tracking before your window closes
- Accurate Form TM-R preparation and filing
- Support for restoration if a deadline is already missed
- End-to-end tracking until your renewal certificate is issued
Renew Your Trademark Today
Timely, accurate, stress-free renewal filing with expert support.
What Is Trademark Renewal?
A registered trademark in India is valid for 10 years from the date of registration. Trademark renewal is the process of extending that validity for another decade — indefinitely, as long as you keep renewing on time. It's governed by Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and filed using Form TM-R with the Registrar of Trademarks.
Renewal isn't optional maintenance — it's what keeps your exclusive rights alive. Miss it, and your mark can be struck off the Register of Trademarks, opening the door for competitors to register something identical or confusingly similar.
Why this matters more than it seems: a lapsed trademark doesn't just lose you the ® symbol — it strips away your legal standing to sue for infringement, weakens your brand as a business asset, and can force you to start the entire registration process over from scratch, including the 12–18 month examination and opposition cycle.
Trademark Renewal Timeline
Understanding exactly when you can act — and what each window costs — is the single most useful thing to get right about renewal.
| Window | What Applies |
|---|---|
| Up to 12 months before expiry | Renewal window opens — earliest point you can file. |
| 6 months before expiry | Recommended filing deadline to avoid last-minute issues. |
| Expiry date | Standard 10-year validity period ends. |
| 0–6 months after expiry | Grace period — renew with a surcharge, no restoration needed. |
| 6 months – 1 year after expiry | Restoration + renewal required, with higher fees. |
| Beyond 1 year | Mark is generally unrecoverable — a fresh application is required. |
Recommended: begin the renewal process 3–6 months before expiry to avoid last-minute delays, additional surcharges, and the risk of losing protection altogether.
Grace Period and Restoration, Explained
The 6-Month Grace Period
Miss the expiry deadline and the Registrar still allows renewal within six months — by paying the standard fee plus a late surcharge. A mark renewed in this window is treated as continuously protected from its original expiry date.
Restoration (6 Months – 1 Year)
Miss the grace period too, and your mark is removed from the Register. Restoration is still possible within one year of expiry, but it costs more and may require you to justify the delay.
Beyond One Year
After the restoration window closes, the trademark generally cannot be revived. A completely fresh application is required — full search, filing, examination, publication, and opposition, with no guarantee the mark is still available.
Why Renewing on Time Matters
- Maintains uninterrupted legal protection and exclusive rights to your mark
- Prevents infringement risk — an inactive mark can be claimed or misused by others
- Preserves brand identity, reputation, and consumer recognition built up over the years
- Avoids the cost, time, and uncertainty of starting registration over from scratch
- Keeps your trademark usable as a business asset — for licensing, assignment, or valuation in funding and M&A
- Supports related international protection if your mark is registered under the Madrid Protocol
Who Can File for Trademark Renewal?
- The registered proprietor — individual, company, or entity — can file directly
- An authorised agent or attorney, appointed via Power of Attorney
- An assignee or legal successor, if ownership has been formally transferred or is in process
- Legal heirs, in case of the proprietor's death — subject to establishing legal right through succession documents
One useful point: India generally doesn't require proof of continued use to renew within the statutory period — renewal is treated as an inherent right of the registered proprietor, not something you need to justify.
Methods of Renewal
Renew Without Alterations
The standard route — your trademark is extended exactly as originally registered, with no changes to its design or text.
Renew With Alterations
Lets you update specific elements of the mark during renewal. Only minor alterations are typically permitted — significant changes to the mark's core identity usually require a fresh application instead.
Documents Required for Trademark Renewal
- Certified copy of the original trademark registration certificate
- Duly filled and signed Form TM-R
- Identity and address proof of the applicant or proprietor
- Power of Attorney, if filing through an authorised agent or attorney
- Trademark registration number and current status details
- New representation of the mark, if any alteration is being made
- Proof of payment of the applicable government fee
Step-by-Step Trademark Renewal Process
File Form TM-R with the Trademark Registry, including your registration number, current status, and applicant details.
The Registry scrutinises the application for eligibility based on remaining validity and compliance with renewal requirements.
Pay the applicable government fee per class, based on your filing mode and timing.
In most cases, once accepted, the renewal is recorded directly. If changes are involved, it may be published in the Trademark Journal for 4 months, opening a public opposition window.
If objections or opposition arise, respond within the given timeframe — a hearing may be scheduled to resolve the matter.
Once approved, the Registry issues your Trademark Renewal Certificate, confirming another 10 years of protection.
Typical processing time: 3–10 working days for a straightforward renewal, depending on application accuracy and Registry workload.
Trademark Renewal Fees
Government fees depend on when you file and how — here's the complete breakdown.
| Renewal Type | Filing Mode | Govt. Fee (Per Class) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal renewal (before expiry) | E-filing | ₹9,000 |
| Normal renewal (before expiry) | Physical filing | ₹10,000 |
| Renewal with surcharge (within 6-month grace period) | E-filing | ₹13,500 (₹9,000 + ₹4,500 surcharge) |
| Renewal with surcharge (within 6-month grace period) | Physical filing | ₹15,000 (₹10,000 + ₹5,000 surcharge) |
| Restoration + renewal (6 months – 1 year after expiry) | E-filing | ₹18,000 (₹9,000 + ₹9,000 restoration) |
| Restoration + renewal (6 months – 1 year after expiry) | Physical filing | ₹20,000 (₹10,000 + ₹10,000 restoration) |
| Concessional rate — Startup India / MSME | E-filing | ₹4,500 per class (vs ₹9,000 standard) |
Fees are charged per class of registration. Startup India and MSME-registered applicants qualify for the concessional rate; note that this concession generally applies to registration, and may not extend to every renewal fee tier — confirm current eligibility before filing. Professional/agent fees are additional.
What Happens If an Objection Is Raised?
Objections during renewal are uncommon for straightforward filings, but can occur if the application is incomplete or contains incorrect details, or if significant changes are being made to the mark that require clarification to preserve its core identity.
If an objection is raised, you'll receive formal communication from the Registry and a defined window to respond with corrections or clarification.
How to Check Your Trademark Renewal Status
Visit the official IP India website (ipindia.gov.in).
Open the trademark public search or status-check option under the Trademarks section.
Enter your application number, or search by class, proprietor name, or mark.
Click "View" or "Show Details" to see the full status history.
Look for status terms like "Renewed," "Pending Renewal," or "Expired."
Download or screenshot the status page for your records, if needed.
Trademark Renewal Certificate
The Trademark Renewal Certificate is the Registry's official confirmation that your mark's validity has been extended. It serves as legal evidence of ownership and renewal in business records and disputes, and typically includes:
- Trademark registration number and class of goods or services
- Name of the registered proprietor or business entity
- Date of renewal and updated validity period
- Description of the registered trademark or logo
- Details of the Trademark Registry office
- Official seal and digital signature of the Registrar
Once issued, it can be downloaded in PDF format directly from the IP India portal by searching your trademark record.
Why Founders Choose Mark Bureau for Trademark Renewal
- Proactive deadline tracking — we flag your renewal window well before expiry
- Accurate Form TM-R preparation and filing, minimising the risk of errors or delays
- End-to-end documentation, submission, and status tracking until your certificate is issued
- Support for restoration filings if a deadline has already been missed
- Transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden charges
Frequently Asked Questions
A registered trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of registration. It must be renewed every decade to remain active — indefinitely, as long as you keep renewing on time.
A six-month grace period is available after expiry, during which you can still renew by paying the standard fee plus a late surcharge, without needing to go through restoration.
You'll need to apply for restoration along with renewal, which carries a higher fee and may require justifying the delay. This is available up to one year after expiry — beyond that, the mark generally cannot be revived and a fresh application is required.
Generally, no. Unlike some other jurisdictions, India doesn't require proof of continued use for renewal within the statutory period — it's treated as an inherent right of the registered proprietor.
Minor alterations are sometimes permitted, but the core identity of the mark must stay the same. Significant changes typically require filing a fresh trademark application instead of a renewal.
Yes — an authorised agent or attorney can file on your behalf with a valid Power of Attorney, and an assignee or legal heir can also file, provided their legal right to the mark is properly established.
Yes. As long as your renewal application is filed correctly and on time, your trademark's protection is treated as continuous, and you can continue using the ® symbol during processing.
Don't Risk Losing Your Trademark
Mark Bureau tracks your renewal deadline and handles Form TM-R filing end to end.
Don't Risk Losing Your Trademark
Call +91-8576076152, email [email protected], or visit www.tmsearch.co.in.
+91-8576076152 Get Renewal Assistance — Free Consult