Trademark Renewal in Nigeria

Renewal of a trademark registration in Nigeria can be conducted as early as 12 months before the renewal due date. You can still renew up to six months past the trademark renewal date in Nigeria. However, additional fees for extension will be added to the renewal fees. AAED attorneys help prevent any additional fees being incurred or lapsing of the registration by sending you timely reminders before renewal is due.

Consequences of non-renewal of a trademark in Nigeria

Failure to renew a trademark by the expiry date means that the trademark will lose any rights and will be labeled lapsed. However, registration can be renewed within a six-month period after the renewal date. When this period has elapsed, the trademark may be deleted from the Nigerian Trade Marks Register. Unless you can successfully get an extension of time, you may need to lodge a new application for the trademark. Your trademark attorney can advise you of your options should you miss a renewal deadline.

If your business has been actively gaining goodwill associated with the trademark, a lapsed trademark opens up a window for opportunistic trademark filings by any competitors for a similar or identical trademark in respect of the same goods and classes. Therefore, it is in your best interest to stay informed of the important dates in your trademark’s timeline and to keep your registration up to date.