When and how do you renew a trademark in Pakistan?
File the renewal form with the fee within six months before the registration expires. Diary the date the day you receive your certificate. Grace periods and surcharges exist in some cases, so do not rely on them.
What happens if you do not renew?
The mark can be removed from the register. Another business can then apply for the same name, and you would have to oppose it or start again.
Must you use the mark?
A registration can be attacked for non-use if the mark has not been used for five years after registration. Keep records of use.
What counts as trademark infringement in Pakistan?
Using an identical or confusingly similar mark on the same or similar goods or services without permission. Registered owners can seek injunctions and damages through the courts. Unregistered brands rely on passing off, which needs proof of reputation. This is why registering early matters.
What to do if you find a copycat
- Collect dated evidence of the copying.
- Check your registration status and class.
- Send a written notice through a professional.
- Consider opposing their application if they have filed one.