Renewal
Trademark renewal in Kosovo — keep what you built
A trademark never has to expire. Registrations are lost not because the law is strict, but because a notice went to an old email address or an expiry date was calculated from the certificate instead of the filing date. Here is how the renewal window actually works.
The renewal process step by step
1. Confirm the expiry date
Protection runs ten years from the filing date, not from the date printed on the certificate. Recalculating from the wrong date is the single most common reason registrations lapse.
2. File within the last six months
A renewal request can be filed during the final six months of the term. This window carries no surcharge and leaves no gap in protection.
3. Use the grace period only as a fallback
If the deadline passes, most jurisdictions in the region allow a further six months with a late fee. After that the mark is removed from the register and the name becomes available to anyone.
4. Review your classes before renewing
Renewal is the moment to drop unused classes and cut cost. New classes cannot be added by renewal — they require a fresh application, so plan expansion separately.
5. Update ownership records first
Mergers, transfers and company name changes must be recorded before renewal. A register showing a former owner can delay or block the request.
6. Keep parallel registrations aligned
Kosovo, Albania, EUIPO and Madrid designations run on independent clocks. A single renewal calendar across all territories prevents silent loss of a whole market.
What a lapsed registration costs you
- Loss of priority date — refiling starts from zero and a competitor may have filed in the meantime.
- Customs and anti-counterfeiting recordals tied to the registration number stop working.
- Licence and franchise agreements that require an active registration fall into breach.
- Fraudulent renewal invoices from private 'registers' — renewals go only through the competent office or a licensed agent.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a trademark last in Kosovo?
Ten years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for further ten-year periods. A trademark is the only industrial property right that can last forever if renewed on time.
What happens if I miss the renewal deadline?
A six-month grace period with a surcharge normally applies. Once it expires the registration is cancelled and the name can be lawfully filed by a third party.
Do I need to prove use in order to renew?
No proof of use is required at renewal in Kosovo or Albania, but a mark unused for five consecutive years can be challenged for revocation by a third party.
Can I renew only some classes?
Yes. Partial renewal is common and reduces cost, but classes dropped at renewal cannot be recovered later without a new application.
Check your renewal deadline for free
Send us the registration number or the mark and we will confirm the exact expiry date and renewal plan within 24 hours.
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