Trademark Renewal
U.S. trademark registrations require periodic maintenance filings to stay active. Miss a deadline and your registration can be cancelled often permanently. We help you track and prepare each filing.
The three key maintenance deadlines
A U.S. trademark registration is not permanent. It requires periodic filings with the USPTO to prove continued use and to maintain your rights.
- Section 8 (Declaration of Use) between years 5 and 6 after registration
- Section 15 (Incontestability) optional, between years 5 and 6
- Section 9 (Renewal) every 10 years from registration date
Section 8: Declaration of Continued Use
Between the 5th and 6th year after registration, you must file a Section 8 declaration proving that the mark is still in use in commerce. You must also submit a specimen showing current use.
If Section 8 is not filed within the window, the registration is cancelled. There is a 6-month grace period with an additional fee.
Section 9: Renewal
Every 10 years from registration, you must file a Section 9 renewal. This can be combined with a Section 8 filing every 10 years, but Section 8 is also due at year 5.
Optional: Section 15 (Incontestability)
Between years 5 and 6, you can file a Section 15 declaration to make your registration "incontestable." This strengthens your rights and limits certain challenges. It is optional but recommended when eligible.
How we help
We track deadlines, prepare filing documents, and organize the specimens you need. You review everything before submission.
- Registration deadline tracking
- Section 8 / Section 9 / Section 15 preparation
- Specimen collection and organization
- Filing submission to the USPTO
- Grace period alerts
Not sure where to begin?
Talk to a specialist and we'll guide you through the right next step.