Importance of Using and Maintaining Trademarks
Once you have successfully registered your trademark, you can have a monopoly on it forever, in principle. However, you must actively use it within 5 years and renew it every 10 years with the US Patent and Trademark Office to prevent cancellation.
Risks of Non-Use for Trademarks
If you don’t use your trademark within 5 years of registering it, someone else can target your trademark for cancellation. Lack of genuine use can lead to additional fees, while failure to correct non-use may result in trademark abandonment.
Maintaining Trademarks Through Active Use
Continued use is vital in preventing trademark loss. A trademark must be genuinely used to maintain protection. Failure to do so can result in abandonment unless strategies are implemented to maintain the trademark.
Trademark Abandonment and Loss
Abandonment can occur if a trademark is not actively used for three consecutive years. Improper licensing or assignment can also lead to trademark loss. Such trademarks can be removed for non-use through proper applications to IP Australia.
How to Maintain Trademark Rights
It is essential to actively monitor and use your trademarks to prevent cancellation. Proper use, registration maintenance, and timely updates are crucial in safeguarding your trademark rights.