1. Designate the correspondent for your trademark.
Trademarks are intangible assets. Every trademark should be properly taken care of.
The trademark correspondent is the person who keeps direct & exclusive connections with the trademark official institute. The correspondent can monitor the status and get any news of the trademark all the time.
Upon becoming the new owner after the ownership transfer, it is highly recommended to engage your own attorney as the correspondent to take care of your purchased trademarks. If you are a U.S. citizen, USPTO allows you to designate yourself as the correspondent of your U.S. trademarks. You can sign up for your own USPTO account through which you can facilitate the settings.
2. Keep using the trademark in commerce.
Keeping and using your trademark in commerce is crucial for its protection, validity, distinctiveness, defense against challenges, and overall business reputation. Regular and genuine use helps ensure that your trademark maintains its legal significance and serves as an effective tool for brand recognition and consumer trust.
3. Renewal and Maintenance.
Trademarks require ongoing maintenance to remain valid and enforceable. Stay aware of renewal deadlines and ensure that you submit the necessary paperwork and fees to keep your trademark registration active. Be mindful of any other requirements or maintenance obligations specific to your jurisdiction.
For a U.S. trademark, your registration will be cancelled if you do not file the documents below during the specified time periods:
Requirements in the First Ten Years*
What and When to File:
• First Filing Deadline: You must file a Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) between the 5th and 6th years after the registration date. If the declaration is accepted, the registration will continue in force for the remainder of the ten-year period, calculated from the registration date, unless canceled by an order of the Commissioner for Trademarks or a federal court.
• Second Filing Deadline: You must file a Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) and an Application for Renewal between the 9th and 10th years after the registration date.
Requirements in Successive Ten-Year Periods*
What and When to File:
• You must file a Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) and an Application for Renewal between every 9th and 10th-year period, calculated from the registration date.