Congratulations on your registration!
Receiving a trademark certificate is an important step in protecting your brand. But the work does not end there. Here is what you need to know and do after registration.
Use the marking symbols
After registration, you have the right to use special symbols:
- ® — the mark is registered (Registered)
- ™ — can be used even before registration (Trademark)
Important: Using the ® symbol for an unregistered designation is a violation and may entail liability.
Use the mark correctly
Mandatory use
The trademark must be used in the form in which it was registered. If the mark is not used for 3 consecutive years, any interested party may seek early termination of its legal protection.
What counts as use:
- Placement on goods and packaging
- Use in advertising and on your website
- Use in documents (contracts, delivery notes)
- Use in a domain name
Record your use
Collect evidence of the mark's use:
- Photographs of goods bearing the mark
- Advertising materials with dates
- Contracts for the supply of marked goods
- Dated screenshots of your website
Keep track of the deadlines
Term of validity
A trademark is valid for 10 years from the application filing date. After that, it can be renewed for another 10 years — and so on, an unlimited number of times.
When to renew
An application for renewal may be filed:
- During the final year of the term of validity
- Within 6 months after the term expires (with an additional official fee)
Recommendation: Set a reminder 1 year before the term of validity expires so you do not miss the renewal.
Monitor for infringements
Regularly check for:
- New applications to register similar marks
- The appearance of similar brands on marketplaces
- Registration of domains using your name
- Use of similar names on social media
Make changes when necessary
If your details change, they must be updated in the register:
- Change of company name or address — notify Rospatent
- Transfer of rights — execute an assignment or license agreement
- Change to the mark — significant changes require a new registration
Expand your protection
Over time, you can:
- Add Nice classes (MKTU) — as your business expands
- Register variations — new logos, slogans
- Enter international markets — through the Madrid System
Trademark owner's checklist
- ✓ Add the ® marking to your mark
- ✓ Use the mark in its registered form
- ✓ Collect evidence of use
- ✓ Set up monitoring for infringements
- ✓ Set a renewal reminder
- ✓ Update the register promptly