Canadian Trademark Renewal: CIPO Deadlines, Costs, and Maintaining Your Registration

Canadian Trademark Renewal: CIPO Deadlines, Costs, and Maintaining Your Registration

A Canadian trademark registration is a valuable business asset, but it requires active maintenance. Under the Trademarks Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. T-13), trademark registrations must be renewed periodically to remain in force. Missing a renewal deadline can result in the loss of your registration and the nationwide protection it provides.

This guide covers everything you need to know about renewing your Canadian trademark with CIPO, including deadlines, costs, grace periods, and strategies to keep your registration active.

Pro tip: If you're also considering new filings, start with a free trademark check to assess availability before investing in additional registrations.

Trademark Validity Periods in Canada

The validity period for Canadian trademark registrations depends on when the mark was registered:

Post-June 17, 2019 Registrations

• 10-year validity from the date of registration
• Renewable for successive 10-year periods
• This applies to all registrations issued after Canada's trademark modernization

Pre-June 17, 2019 Registrations

• Originally registered with 15-year validity
• Transitional provisions — when these marks come up for renewal, they renew for 10-year periods under the new rules
• The first renewal after June 2019 follows the new fee structure

Renewal Timeline and Deadlines

When to Renew

• Earliest renewal: You can file for renewal up to 6 months before the expiry date
• Expiry date: The registration expires on the 10th anniversary (or 15th for pre-2019 marks)
• Grace period: If you miss the expiry date, you have a 6-month grace period to renew with payment of the late fee

Critical Dates

Important: CIPO sends renewal reminder notices, but failure to receive a notice does not extend your deadline. You are responsible for tracking your renewal dates.

Renewal Costs

Government Fees (2026)

For marks registered in multiple Nice classes, the renewal fee applies per class. A mark registered in 3 classes would require CAD $1,200 in government fees alone.

Professional Service Fees

In addition to government fees, professional service fees cover:

• Renewal filing and processing
• Verification of registration details
• Monitoring confirmation of renewal

GTC advantage: Our trademark renewal service handles the entire renewal process, including deadline monitoring, filing, and confirmation.

How to Renew Your Canadian Trademark

Step 1: Verify Your Registration Details

Before filing renewal, confirm:

• Registration number and current owner information
• Nice classes covered by the registration
• Any recorded changes (assignments, amendments) are up to date
• The mark is still in use for the registered goods/services

Step 2: Assess Your Renewal Strategy

Consider whether you need to:

• Renew all classes — if you're using the mark across all registered goods/services
• Let some classes lapse — if you've stopped using the mark for certain goods/services
• File new applications — if your business has expanded into new areas not covered by the existing registration

Step 3: File the Renewal

Renewals can be filed:

• Online through the CIPO renewal portal
• Through a trademark agent — recommended for foreign trademark owners

Step 4: Confirm Renewal

After processing, CIPO updates the register to reflect the new expiry date. Verify that the renewal has been recorded correctly.

The Grace Period: Don't Rely on It

While the 6-month grace period provides a safety net, relying on it is risky:

• Additional fees — late renewal incurs extra charges
• Vulnerability — during the grace period, your registration is technically expired
• Third-party filings — competitors could file applications for similar marks
• No guarantee — if you miss the grace period, your registration is permanently lost

Non-Use Cancellation: The Other Threat

Even if your registration is current, it can be challenged through Section 45 proceedings if you haven't used the mark in Canada for a continuous period of 3 years.

To protect against non-use cancellation:

• Maintain evidence of use — keep records of sales, advertising, and promotional materials
• Use the mark as registered — significant alterations may not qualify as "use"
• Use in Canada specifically — use in other countries doesn't satisfy Canadian use requirements
• License properly — if third parties use your mark, ensure proper licensing arrangements

Voluntary Cancellation (Surrender)

If you no longer need your Canadian trademark registration, you can voluntarily cancel it by requesting surrender with CIPO. This may be appropriate when:

• Your business has changed direction and the mark is no longer relevant
• You're consolidating your trademark portfolio
• The mark is causing conflicts with other parties

Renewal for International Registrations Designating Canada

If your Canadian trademark protection comes through a Madrid Protocol international registration, renewal is handled differently:

• Renewal is filed through WIPO, not directly with CIPO
• The renewal period for international registrations is 10 years
• WIPO sends renewal reminders to the holder
• Renewal fees are paid to WIPO in Swiss Francs

Don't Risk Losing Your Canadian Trademark

Timely renewal is essential to maintaining your trademark rights. Start with a free trademark check for new filings, or explore our trademark renewal services for professional deadline management and filing.

*This guide reflects current CIPO renewal procedures and fee schedules as of December 2025.*