Essential Guide to Trademarks in Canada

Protecting Your Brand with Brealant's Expertise

Hand filling in a trademark application form
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    Legal Definition of Trademark Renewal

    Renewal, under the Trademarks Act, is the payment of the prescribed fee to CIPO to extend a registration for a further 10-year term.

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    Purpose and Function of Renewal

    Canada does not require proof of continued use to renew — timely payment of the fee alone keeps the registration in force, though the mark can separately be challenged for non-use.

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    Protecting Your Trademark

    A missed renewal causes the registration to be expunged, potentially allowing someone else to register the same or a similar mark, so ongoing tracking matters.

A Hassle-Free Registration Journey with Brealant

  1. Contact Brealant step icon

    Contact

    Reach out to Brealant to set up renewal tracking for your Canadian trademark portfolio.

  2. Trademark search step icon

    Search

    We confirm the registration details and ownership are current before renewal.

  3. Get a quote step icon

    Quote

    Receive a fixed-fee quote for managing your renewal.

  4. Payment step icon

    Pay

    Proceed with secure payment for the official renewal fee and our professional fee.

  5. File application step icon

    File

    Brealant submits the renewal request to CIPO.

  6. Waiting period step icon

    Wait

    CIPO processes the renewal and updates the register.

  7. Office action response step icon

    Response

    You receive confirmation once the renewal is recorded.

Hand signing a trademark document with TM symbol icon

Clear, Simple Steps to Renew Your Trademark

In Canada, renewal falls due on the 10-year anniversary of the registration date. CIPO accepts renewal requests up to 6 months before expiry and allows a further 6-month grace period after expiry, with a late fee, before the registration is expunged.

Safeguarding Your Trademark in Canada — With Brealant by Your Side

An expunged trademark loses its registration and can potentially be re-registered by someone else, so missing a renewal can mean losing your brand protection entirely. Brealant's renewal tracking removes that risk from your calendar.

Limitations

What Renewal Cannot Do

Renewal keeps a registration alive, but it has boundaries

  • No Substantive Changes

    Renewal cannot be used to change the mark itself, or add new goods or services.

  • Grace Period Only

    The 6-month grace period is the outer limit — after that, the registration is expunged and cannot simply be reinstated.

  • Doesn't Fix Non-Use

    Renewal doesn't protect against a separate Section 45 non-use cancellation if the mark hasn't genuinely been used in Canada.

  • Doesn't Expand Protection

    Renewal maintains existing rights; it doesn't broaden the scope of protection beyond what was originally registered.

  • Ownership Must Be Current

    Renewal doesn't update ownership records — an assignment must be separately recorded if the owner has changed.

Brealant reviews your registration details as part of every renewal to flag any of these issues early.

What a Trademark Renewal Protects

Renewal keeps the full benefit of your original registration in place, including

  • Exclusive Nationwide Rights

    Your continued exclusive right to use the mark across Canada for the registered goods/services.

  • Your Registration Date

    The priority and seniority attached to your original registration.

  • Enforcement Standing

    Your ability to take infringement or opposition action based on a live registration.

  • Brand Value

    The accumulated goodwill and recognition built up under a continuously registered mark.

Renewal is a simple administrative step that preserves everything your original registration achieved.

Timeline for Trademark Renewal in Canada

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Renewal follows a straightforward, date-driven process

  1. Step 1

    Renewal Window Opens

    CIPO accepts renewal requests up to 6 months before the expiry date.

  2. Step 2

    Reminder & Instruction

    Brealant notifies you well ahead of the deadline and confirms instructions.

  3. Step 3

    Filing & Payment

    The renewal request and fee are submitted to CIPO.

  4. Step 4

    Grace Period (If Needed)

    A 6-month window after expiry remains available, with a late fee, before expungement.

Renewal itself is typically processed by CIPO within a matter of weeks of a complete request.

Understanding Trademark Renewal Costs in Canada — Simplified with Brealant

Renewal costs are predictable and modest compared to re-filing from scratch

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    Official Filing Fees

    CIPO's renewal fee is typically around CAD $450 for the first class when filed online, with an additional fee per further class, plus a late fee if renewed during the grace period.

  • Legal scales of justice icon

    Professional fees

    Brealant's fee for managing the renewal is fixed and quoted in advance, covering tracking, filing, and confirmation.

These costs are far lower than the cost of losing protection and having to re-file and re-clear the mark from scratch.

Brealant support specialist providing continued trademark support

Continued Trademark Protection in Canada — Supported by Brealant

Beyond renewal, Brealant can support ongoing monitoring for confusing new applications, licensing arrangements, and enforcement, so your registration keeps working for your business well beyond each renewal date.

Customer support specialist with headset working at a desk

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I miss my Canadian trademark renewal?

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You have a 6-month grace period after expiry to renew with a late fee; after that, the registration is expunged from the register.

Do I need to prove I'm still using the mark to renew?

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No, Canada does not require evidence of use for renewal — payment of the fee is sufficient.

How early can I renew?

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CIPO accepts renewal requests up to 6 months before the expiry date.

Can Brealant renew a trademark it didn't originally file?

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Yes, we can take over renewal management for existing Canadian registrations regardless of who filed the original application.

How much does it cost to renew a trademark in Canada?

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The renewal fee for a trademark in Canada is typically around CAD $450 for the first class if renewed online, with an additional fee for each further class.

Do I pay a separate renewal fee for each class of goods and services?

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Yes, CIPO charges the renewal fee per class, so a registration covering multiple classes costs more to renew than a single-class registration.

Will I get a new certificate after renewal?

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CIPO updates the register to reflect the new expiry date and issues a renewal confirmation, though Canada does not issue a fresh paper certificate for each renewal cycle.

Does renewing my trademark protect it from a non-use cancellation?

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No — renewal only confirms the fee has been paid; a registration can still face a Section 45 non-use challenge if the mark hasn't been used in the 3 years before the notice, regardless of renewal status.

If my trademark reached Canada through a Madrid Protocol registration, do I renew it differently?

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Yes, an international registration designating Canada is renewed centrally through WIPO rather than directly with CIPO.

Can I update my address or ownership details when I renew?

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Yes, renewal is a good opportunity to correct the address for service or record a change of ownership, though these are technically separate CIPO transactions.

Renew Your Trademark

Blogs and Resources

Discover more insights and stay informed about the latest in intellectual property with Brealant's blog. From expert advice on trademark registration and patent protection to strategies for safeguarding your brand in a competitive market, our resources are here to empower your business. .

Explore our blog to learn how effective IP management can strengthen your brand's position and protect your innovations

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