Trademark Renewal in Nigeria: Your Essential Guide Trademark renewal in Nigeria is a cornerstone of maintaining your brand’s legal protection and market presence. While registering a trademark is a vital first step, keeping it valid through timely renewals ensures that your intellectual property remains safeguarded in an ever-competitive landscape. This guide walks you through the essentials of trademark renewal, highlighting its importance, processes, and best practices to help you stay ahead. Why Trademark Renewal in Nigeria Matters In Nigeria, trademarks are initially valid for seven years and can be renewed every 14 years thereafter. Renewing your trademark ensures uninterrupted protection, granting you exclusive rights to use, license, or enforce your brand identity. Here’s why timely renewal is crucial: Preserving Brand Integrity: A renewed trademark solidifies your brand’s reputation, ensuring continuous recognition and trust. Legal Exclusivity: Renewal prevents third parties from exploiting or registering your mark. Cost-Effectiveness: Renewing on time avoids additional fees or legal complexities tied to restoration. Consequences of Missing a Trademark Renewal in Nigeria Deadline Failing to renew a trademark can lead to significant setbacks, including: Loss of Protection: Expired trademarks are removed from the registry, making them vulnerable to unauthorized use. Brand Dilution: Competitors or third parties could exploit your lapsed trademark, causing potential confusion in the market. Restoration Costs: Reinstating an expired trademark requires extra effort, fees, and documentation. Step-by-Step Guide to Trademark Renewal in Nigeria Renewing a trademark is a straightforward process when managed correctly. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth renewal: Documents Required for Trademark Renewal in Nigeria: Power of Attorney: A signed Power of Attorney authorizing an agent to act on your behalf (notarization or legalization is not required). Trademark Certificate: The original certificate of registration. Renewal Process: Document Preparation: Ensure all necessary documents are accurate and ready. Submission: File the renewal application with the Trademarks, Patents, and Designs Registry in Nigeria. Fee Payment: Pay the required renewal fees promptly to avoid penalties. Confirmation: Receive confirmation once the renewal is processed, extending your protection for another 14 years. What to Do If Your Nigerian Trademark Has Expired If your trademark has already expired, it’s still possible to restore it. However, this process entails additional fees and documentation, and the window for restoration may be limited. Taking swift action is key to minimizing risks. Tips for Maintaining Your Nigeria Trademark Stay Organized: Keep track of renewal dates to ensure timely filings. Monitor Your Trademark: Regularly check for unauthorized use of your trademark in the marketplace. Engage Professionals: Partnering with intellectual property experts can help streamline the renewal process and ensure compliance with legal requirements. Ensuring Long-Term Protection Trademark renewal is more than a procedural necessity; it’s an investment in your brand’s future. By keeping your trademark active, you protect your business identity, maintain your competitive edge, and enhance your market value. Get in Touch With proper planning and expert guidance, you can ensure your trademark’s longevity and your brand’s continued success. For detailed information or assistance with trademark renewals in Nigeria, contact us: Email: lexartifexllp@lexartifexllp.com Phone/WhatsApp: +2348039795959

Trademark Renewal in Nigeria

TRADEMARK RENEWAL IN NIGERIA

A key strategic step in expanding a global brand portfolio is to file for trademark registration in Nigeria. Once the registration is obtained, it is imperative for the owners of trademarks to ensure the validity of their mark by filing timely renewals.
In Nigeria, the first renewal is due 7 years from the date of filing, and each renewal following is needed every 14 years thereafter.

 

EFFECTS OF NON-RENEWAL OF A NIGERIAN TRADEMARK

Filing an application for trademark renewal in a timely manner is essential to prolonging the protection that a Nigerian trademark registration offers. If the renewal is not made within time, there is a risk that the trademark will be canceled or removed from the register; and any person can claim the trademark and get same registered to their name.

 

MAINTAINING NIGERIAN TRADEMARKS

The key to successfully maintaining a Nigerian trademark registration is by ensuring that timely renewal filings are made to sustain the protections offered by the registration and to prevent any chance of cancellation. Trademark renewal in Nigeria does not create any changes in the rights of the trademark holder. As long as the trademark is valid, the trademark holder would enjoy all the rights that were acquired during the initial registration.
Trademark renewal in Nigeria guarantees continuous and unhindered protection of the brand name. Failure of renewal leads to a lapse of legal protection in the country.

 

WHERE THE TRADEMARK EXPIRES

To keep using a trademark that has expired, you need to apply for the restoration of the expired trademark. The process may be risky and attracts additional fees and documentation.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING A TRADEMARK RENEWAL APPLICATION

To file for trademark renewal in Nigeria, the following are required:
  • A duly executed Power of Attorney. No Notarization or legalization is required;
  • The certificate of trademark registration

 

Lex Artifex LLP attorneys work with transnational corporations and foreign law firms from around the world on brand protection in Nigeria. We update our clients on upcoming filing and renewal deadlines. Our focus is on the long-term sustainability of our clients’ intellectual property assets.
For a business-focused IPR advice, contact a member of our team directly or email lexartifexllp@lexartifexllp.com; call or WhatsApp at +2348039795959.