Trademark Registration and Expiration Date: What You Need to Know

When does a registered trademark like that of Ajax Company expire?

Assuming that Ajax continues to renew its registration, the expiration date of the mark will be:

a. 5 years from the filing date

b. 10 years from the filing date

c. It does not expire as long as maintenance documents are filed appropriately

Answer:

c. It does not expire as long as maintenance documents are filed appropriately

In the U.S., a registered trademark like that of Ajax Company doesn't expire as long as maintenance documents are filed appropriately. These documents must be filed between the 5th-6th year, 9th-10th year, and every 10 years thereafter from the initial registration.

The registration of a trademark by an entity such as the Ajax Company provides the entity with legal rights pertaining to that mark. In the United States, a trademark registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office does not have a specific expiration date as long as it continues to be used in commerce and the mandatory maintenance documents are filed at the appropriate times. These maintenance documents should be filed between the 5th and 6th year after initial registration, between the 9th and 10th year after initial registration, and then every 10 years thereafter. Hence, if Ajax Company registered its famous mark on January 1, 2012, and continues to correctly file its maintenance documents, there will be no expiration date for the mark.