Trademark renewal: how to keep your mark in force every 10 years

Unlike patents, which expire for good, a trademark can live without a time limit – on one condition that is often forgotten: it must be renewed every 10 years. On trademark.al, trademark renewal is requested as a service for your mark, the representative files it and you follow the status to the end, for Albanian and Kosovo marks alike.

Trademarks in the DPPI register (Albania): 63.899
Trademarks in the KIPA register (Kosovo): 45.262
Companies in the QKB register (Albania): 366.371
Businesses in the ARBK register (Kosovo): 274.947

10 years of protection, unlimited renewals

In Albania and in Kosovo alike, a trademark registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and is renewed for successive 10-year periods, without limit, each time the renewal fee is paid. If the renewal is forgotten, protection ends: the sign may become free again and someone else may register it – perhaps a competitor.

Renewal also matters for the value of your business. An expired mark cannot be sold, licensed or used as security like a mark in force, and anyone reviewing your business will notice.

How to find the expiry date

In the office's public register, where every registered mark shows the date its protection ends.
On the mark's public page on trademark.al, which you find through the search.
On the mark's page in your dashboard, if the mark was applied for through TMA.

Save the date in your calendar as soon as the mark is registered and set a reminder many months ahead. Do not leave it to the last week: renewal also involves checking the details and paying.

What to check before renewing

The owner and the details

Is the owner still the same person or company? Changes of the owner's name, address or details are recorded with the data change service, while a transfer to someone else uses the transfer of ownership service. Sort them out before the renewal or together with it.

Goods and services

Renewal keeps the registration in force with its existing list of goods and services. New fields need a new application.

Genuine use

Renewal does not protect the mark against non-use: if it is not genuinely used for 5 years without a valid reason, another party may ask for its revocation. Keep evidence of use – invoices, catalogues, photos and adverts with dates.

How to request renewal on trademark.al

Open Services and choose Renewal in the Mark management group.
Choose the mark and, if you wish, write a note.
The request goes to the mark's representative; if the mark has none, to your representative for that country or to the one TMA assigns.
TMA sets the price – office fee, professional fee and administration fee – and the request moves to Pending payment.
Pay by card or by bank transfer – the same amount, with the transaction fee included – and follow the status: every change reaches you as a notification.

If your mark was registered before you used trademark.al, talk to your representative: representatives can ask to link a register mark to their portfolio, and TMA reviews the request.

What happens if the deadline passes

In the register, the mark may show as in its renewal period or as expired. If you missed a deadline through no fault of your own, there is the restitution of a deadline service. Do not rely on it: renewing on time is always the safest route.

One mark, two registers, two deadlines

If your mark is registered in both Albania and Kosovo, you have two independent registrations, each with its own expiry date. Renewing one does not renew the other. Keep a list of every mark, its country, registration number and expiry date. When you subscribe to monitoring, you can choose the term until the mark expires, so that it is watched throughout its protection.

Current fees

Albania

Renewal (1 class included): 20.000,00 ALL
Each additional class at renewal: 8.000,00 ALL

Kosovo

Renewal (1 class included): 10.000,00 ALL
Each additional class at renewal: 8.000,00 ALL

The total includes the office fee, representation, the administration fee and the transaction fee. The full price, line by line, is shown before payment.

Frequently asked questions

How long does trademark protection last?

A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and is renewed for successive 10-year periods, without limit, each time the renewal fee is paid. If you do not renew it, the protection is lost.

Can I change the logo when I renew the mark?

Renewal keeps the mark as it was registered. A modification of the mark covers only non-substantial changes to its representation; a completely new logo is protected with a new application. It often makes sense to renew the old mark and apply separately for the new logo.

Can I add new classes when renewing?

No. Renewal applies to the existing list of goods and services. New fields need a new application, with the relevant classes.

Who carries out the renewal for me?

The mark's representative – or, if the mark has none, your representative for that country or the one TMA assigns. You request the service, pay for it and follow the status on the platform.

Should I renew a mark I no longer use?

The decision is yours, but a mark unused for 5 years may be revoked at another party's request. If you are no longer interested, the surrender service lets you give up the right, wholly or partly.

Keep your trademark in force

Request the renewal under Services, see the price before you pay and follow every step until it is renewed.