How long is my brand protected after it has been registered?
January 26, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Carsten Schlüter
Dear trademark lawyer,
My name is Dennis Baumgart and I have recently successfully registered my trademark. Now I am wondering how long my trademark protection actually lasts and what measures I need to take to protect my brand in the long term.
The background is that I have invested a lot of time, money, and energy in developing my brand and I want to ensure that it is protected from unauthorized use by third parties. The current situation is that my trademark is now officially registered, but I am unsure how long this protection actually lasts and whether I need to take further steps to extend my trademark protection.
My concerns mainly lie in the fact that I could lose the rights to my trademark if I am not active enough or do not take the necessary protective measures. Therefore, I am wondering how long my brand is exactly protected, if there is a way to extend this protection, and what specific steps I need to take to secure my brand in the long term.
Could you please explain in detail how long my trademark is protected after being registered, and what steps I need to take to extend and secure my trademark protection?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Best regards,
Dennis Baumgart
Dear Mr. Baumgart,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the protection of your brand. It is understandable that you are concerned about how long your trademark protection actually lasts and what measures you need to take to protect your brand in the long term.
After your brand has been successfully registered, you generally have the right to exclusive use of the brand for the goods or services you have registered. Trademark protection typically lasts for a period of ten years from the date of application. After this period, you can renew the protection of your brand for another ten years. It is important that you apply for the renewal in a timely manner before the expiration of the protection period to maintain the protection of your brand.
To ensure the long-term protection of your brand, you should regularly check if your brand is still in use and if market conditions have changed. It is advisable to actively promote and defend your brand to protect it from unauthorized use by third parties. If you find that someone is using your brand without your permission, you should take legal action immediately to enforce your rights.
In addition to renewing the protection of your brand, you should also consider registering your brand internationally if you intend to offer your products or services worldwide. Through international registration, you can secure the protection of your brand in different countries and effectively protect your intellectual property.
Overall, it is important that you take proactive steps to protect your brand in the long term. By regularly reviewing the protection of your brand, taking legal action in case of infringements, and possibly obtaining international registration, you can ensure that your brand is protected permanently.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Carsten Schlüter, Trademark Attorney
