How Long Do Trademarks Last? UK & Global Guide
If you’re building a brand, one of the most common (and important) questions people ask is: how long do trademarks last?
It’s a fair question. You’ve invested time, money, and energy into your name or logo — the last thing you want is to lose protection just because of a technicality.
The short answer is reassuring: trademarks can last forever. The longer answer (and the one that matters) is only if you renew and use them correctly.
This guide explains how trademark duration works in the UK and internationally, why it matters for businesses, the risks of getting it wrong, and how to protect your brand long-term.
No legal jargon. Just clear, practical answers.
What Does “How Long Do Trademarks Last” Actually Mean?
When people ask how long do trademarks last, they’re usually asking one of three things:
How long does trademark protection last after registration?
Do trademarks expire?
Can a trademark last forever?
A trademark doesn’t expire like a domain name or a licence. Instead, it works on renewable protection cycles.
Once registered, a trademark gives you exclusive rights to use that brand name or logo for specific goods and services, as long as you:
Renew it on time
Continue using it in real commercial trade
How Long Do Trademarks Last in the UK?
In the UK, a registered trademark lasts:
10 years from the filing date
This applies to trademarks registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office.
At the end of each 10-year period, the trademark can be renewed indefinitely — every 10 years — with no limit on the number of renewals.
Key UK trademark timeline:
Year 0: Application filed
Registration granted
Year 10: First renewal due
Year 20, 30, 40…: Renew again and keep protection alive
As long as renewals are paid and the mark is used, the trademark can last forever.
How Long Do Trademarks Last Internationally?
While details vary slightly, most countries follow the same basic structure:
10-year protection periods
Unlimited renewals
Renewal fees required at each cycle
This applies to:
EU trademarks
US trademarks
International trademarks via WIPO
What differs is:
Renewal costs
Proof of use requirements
Grace periods after expiry
The principle is the same everywhere: renew on time or risk losing your rights.
Why Trademark Duration Matters for Businesses
Understanding how long trademarks last isn’t just a legal detail — it directly affects your business strategy.
Trademarks protect long-term brand value
Your brand may grow far beyond what you imagined. A trademark protects that future value — not just what you’re doing today.
Trademarks support licensing and partnerships
Investors, distributors, and collaborators often ask:
“Is the trademark registered and active?”
An expired or lapsed trademark can derail deals instantly.
: Trademarks reduce copycat risk
If your trademark lapses, competitors can apply for the same or similar name — sometimes legally.
What Happens If You Don’t Renew a Trademark?
This is where many businesses get caught out.
If a trademark renewal is missed:
The mark enters a grace period (extra fees apply)
If still unpaid, the trademark expires
Legal protection is lost
Anyone can apply for a similar mark
In practical terms, this can mean:
Losing exclusivity over your brand
Being forced to rebrand
Facing legal disputes over a name you built
Renewal is almost always cheaper than recovery.
Do You Have to Use a Trademark to Keep It?
Yes — and this is crucial.
In the UK, a trademark can be challenged or cancelled if it hasn’t been genuinely used for five consecutive years.
This means:
You can’t register a name and “sit on it forever”
There must be real commercial use
Use must match the registered goods/services
If you stop trading under a brand for years, your trademark may become vulnerable — even if it’s renewed.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Long-term brand success
A food brand registers its name in 2005. It renews every 10 years and continues trading. In 2025, the trademark is still fully protected — and can remain protected indefinitely.
Example 2: Missed renewal
A startup registers a trademark but forgets to renew after 10 years. The mark expires. A competitor registers a similar name — legally.
Example 3: Non-use risk
A business registers a trademark for clothing but never launches products. After five years of non-use, another party challenges the mark and succeeds.
Benefits and Risks at a Glance
Benefits of understanding trademark duration
Long-term brand security
Stronger commercial position
Easier enforcement against infringers
Increased business valuation
Risks of misunderstanding it
Accidental loss of rights
Forced rebranding
Legal disputes
Wasted investment
FAQs – How Long Do Trademarks Last?
Can a trademark last forever?
Yes. As long as it’s renewed every 10 years and genuinely used, a trademark can last indefinitely.
: How long does a trademark last without renewal?
In the UK, a trademark lasts 10 years from filing. Without renewal, it expires after that period (subject to a short grace period).
Do trademarks expire automatically?
They don’t expire suddenly, but they do lapse if renewal fees aren’t paid.
Is renewal expensive?
Renewal fees are relatively modest compared to the cost of rebranding or legal disputes later.
Can someone take my trademark if I don’t use it?
Potentially, yes. After five years of non-use, your trademark can be challenged and cancelled.
Final Thoughts – Protecting Your Brand Long Term
So, how long do trademarks last?
The honest answer is: As long as you look after them.
Trademarks aren’t “set and forget” assets — but with the right renewals and monitoring, they can protect your brand for decades.
If you’re unsure:
When your trademark expires
Whether it’s vulnerable due to non-use
Or whether your brand is properly protected
A quick check now can save serious headaches later.
Your brand deserves long-term protection — not accidental risk.