--- title: "How Long Does a Trademark Last? | GTC" description: "How long does a trademark last? Potentially forever with proper maintenance. Learn Section 8, Section 9 deadlines, renewal costs, grace periods, and what h..." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg", "description": "Multi-practice IP and business legal firm. Trademarks in 100+ jurisdictions, patents in 10 + PCT, copyrights under Berne. 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Durations, Renewals, and Deadlines", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog/how-long-does-trademark-last" } ] } ] --- [](/) - Trademarks - Patents - Copyrights - Data Privacy - Business Legal - [Pricing](/pricing) - Resources Sign inEN · USD Sign in 1. [Home](/) 2. / 3. [Blog](/blog) 4. / 5. How Long Does a Trademark Last? Durations, Renewals, and Deadlines [Back to Blog](/blog) guides # How Long Does a Trademark Last? Durations, Renewals, and Deadlines ![Rajatpreet Singh Modi](/team/rajat.jpg)Rajatpreet Singh Modi · Founder & International Trademark Attorney November 30, 2025 8 min read Share Last updated: June 22, 2026 ![How Long Does a Trademark Last? Durations, Renewals, and Deadlines](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/how-long-does-trademark-last.jpg?width=1200&quality=80&resize=contain&t=1780326987264) In this article [How Long Does a Trademark Last? Durations, Renewals, and Deadlines](#how-long-does-a-trademark-last-durations-renewals-and-deadlines)[The Short Answer](#the-short-answer)[The Maintenance Timeline](#the-maintenance-timeline)[Cost of Keeping a Trademark Alive](#cost-of-keeping-a-trademark-alive)[What Causes a Trademark to Die](#what-causes-a-trademark-to-die)[Common Law Marks vs. Registered Marks](#common-law-marks-vs-registered-marks)[Comparison with Other Intellectual Property](#comparison-with-other-intellectual-property)[Key Takeaways](#key-takeaways) ## How Long Does a Trademark Last? Durations, Renewals, and Deadlines Unlike patents (20 years) and copyrights (life of the author plus 70 years), a trademark can theoretically last **forever**. But only if the owner takes specific actions at specific times. Miss a single maintenance deadline, and your registration can be cancelled with no way to revive it. ## The Short Answer A US federal trademark registration lasts **10 years** from the date of registration and can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods — as long as the mark remains in use and all maintenance filings are made on time. Some of the world's oldest trademarks are still active today: - **Bass Ale** (red triangle) — registered since 1876 - **Levi Strauss** — registered since 1873 - **Coca-Cola** — registered since 1893 These trademarks have survived for over a century because their owners never missed a maintenance filing. ## The Maintenance Timeline Every trademark registration requires multiple maintenance filings over its lifetime: Year Filing Required Purpose Fee (per class) Grace Period Years 5–6 Section 8 Declaration Prove continued use $325 6 months (+$100 surcharge) Years 5–6 Section 15 Declaration (optional) Claim incontestability $250 N/A Years 9–10 Section 8 + Section 9 Renewal Prove use + renew registration $325 + $325 = $650 6 months (+$100 surcharge each) Years 19–20 Section 8 + Section 9 Renewal Same $650 6 months Every 10 years Section 8 + Section 9 Renewal Same $650 6 months For detailed information on Section 8 and Section 15 filings, see our guide on [Section 8 and Section 15 Declarations](/blog/section-8-15-trademark-declarations). > **Pro Tip:** Over a 30-year period, you'll file approximately 4 maintenance filings. Budget $325–650 per class per filing. For a single-class registration, that's roughly $1,200–2,400 over 30 years — a modest investment to protect a brand worth far more. ## Cost of Keeping a Trademark Alive Timeframe 1 Class 3 Classes Years 5–6 (Sec 8 + 15) $575 $1,725 Years 9–10 (Sec 8 + 9) $650 $1,950 Years 19–20 (Sec 8 + 9) $650 $1,950 Years 29–30 (Sec 8 + 9) $650 $1,950 **30-year total (USPTO fees only)** **$2,525** **$7,575** \*Fees shown are USPTO fees only (TEAS Standard). Professional service fees are additional. Grace period surcharges ($100/class per section) apply if filing in the grace period.\* ## What Causes a Trademark to Die ### 1\. Missed Maintenance Deadlines The most common cause of trademark death. If you fail to file a Section 8 Declaration within the filing window (including the 6-month grace period), your registration is **cancelled**. There is no petition to revive — the cancellation is permanent. For renewal deadlines and costs, see our detailed guide on [trademark renewal deadlines and costs](/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs). ### 2\. Abandonment Through Non-Use Under US law, a trademark is presumed abandoned if it has not been used in commerce for **3 consecutive years** with no intent to resume use. Abandonment can be claimed regardless of whether maintenance filings have been made. \*Citation: 15 U.S.C. § 1127 — Abandonment\* ### 3\. Genericization When a trademark becomes the common name for a product category, it loses protection. Famous examples: - **Aspirin** — Originally a Bayer trademark, now generic in the US - **Escalator** — Originally an Otis trademark - **Thermos** — Originally a vacuum flask trademark - **Zipper** — Originally a B.F. Goodrich trademark To prevent genericization, always use your mark as an adjective (not a noun or verb) and police unauthorized use. ### 4\. Naked Licensing If a trademark owner licenses the mark to others without maintaining quality control over the licensee's goods/services, the mark may be deemed abandoned through "naked licensing." The rationale: a trademark guarantees consistent quality, and licensing without quality control breaks that guarantee. ## Common Law Marks vs. Registered Marks Aspect Common Law Mark Registered Mark Duration As long as you use it Perpetual with maintenance filings Maintenance filings None required Section 8 + Section 9 required Geographic scope Limited to area of use Nationwide What ends protection Non-use Non-use OR missed maintenance filings For a detailed comparison, see our guide on [common law vs. federal trademark rights](/blog/common-law-vs-federal-trademark). ## Comparison with Other Intellectual Property IP Type Duration Renewable? Maintenance Required? **Trademark** Perpetual Yes (every 10 years) Yes (Section 8 + 9) **Utility Patent** 20 years from filing No Maintenance fees at years 3.5, 7.5, 11.5 **Design Patent** 15 years from grant No No **Copyright** Life of author + 70 years No No **Trade Secret** Indefinite (if secret maintained) N/A Must maintain secrecy Trademarks are the only form of IP that can last forever — making them potentially the most valuable long-term IP asset a business can own. ## Key Takeaways 1. **Trademarks can last forever** — but only with active maintenance 2. **The first critical deadline is years 5–6** — file Section 8 (and ideally Section 15) 3. **Renewals are every 10 years** — combined Section 8 + Section 9 4. **Missing a Section 8 deadline is fatal** — no revival, no second chances 5. **Budget for maintenance** — approximately $650/class every 10 years in USPTO fees 6. **Use it or lose it** — 3 years of non-use creates a presumption of abandonment \*Need help with trademark renewal or maintenance? Our team tracks every deadline and handles all filings. [Start Your Renewal →](/services/us-trademark-renewal)\* ### Need help with your trademark? Get a free trademark check from our specialists, no obligation. Start Your Renewal Or [learn more about this service →](/services/us-trademark-renewal) ### Ready to get started? Our trademark specialists can help you with every step of the process. [Start Your Renewal](/services/us-trademark-renewal) ![Rajatpreet Singh Modi](/team/rajat.jpg) Rajatpreet Singh Modi Founder & International Trademark Attorney trademark-duration renewal maintenance USPTO ## Related Articles [ ![Trademark Searches: Beyond Google – Comprehensive Tools and Best Practices](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/pipeline/9358f640-cc7c-49d6-9d70-aafc78f3a270.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780479747214) ### Trademark Searches: Beyond Google – Comprehensive Tools and Best Practices Jun 6, 2026 ](/blog/trademark-searches-beyond-google-comprehensive-tools-and-best-practices)[ ![EU PCT National Phase: 2026 UPC Impact](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/eu-pct-national-phase-upc-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780326641627) ### EU PCT National Phase: 2026 UPC Impact Apr 24, 2026 ](/blog/eu-pct-national-phase-upc-2026)[ ![Japan Amazon Brand Registry: Trademark Requirements 2026](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/japan-amazon-brand-registry-trademark-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780411398351) ### Japan Amazon Brand Registry: Trademark Requirements 2026 Apr 20, 2026 ](/blog/japan-amazon-brand-registry-trademark-2026) ## Site footer ![Global Trademark Company](/assets/gtc-logo-white-DQ8YcvVd.svg) Secure Every Step of Your Growth Trusted by brands since 2016 [hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com ](mailto:hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com) [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/) [+1 510-973-4964 (US & International) ](tel:+15109734964)[+44 7453 347853 (UK & EU) ](tel:+447453347853)[+91 6397-329955 (India) ](tel:+916397329955) ### Company - 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