A Canadian trademark must be renewed every 10 years to remain active. The standard CIPO renewal fee is $595.06 CAD for the first class of goods or services, plus $185.49 CAD for every additional class attached to the registration.
Securing a trademark is a massive milestone for any business, whether you operate a local bakery in Winnipeg or a tech startup in Mississauga. However, intellectual property protection in Canada is not a one-time purchase. To keep your exclusive rights intact and prevent competitors from stealing your brand identity, you must actively maintain your registration. Knowing exactly How Much It Costs to Renew a Trademark in Canada is vital for your long-term corporate budgeting.
Unlike patents, which eventually expire permanently, a trademark can theoretically last forever-as long as you continue to pay the renewal fees and actually use the mark in commerce. 📍 The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) operates on a strict 10-year renewal cycle. If you miss your deadline, the government will wipe your brand from the register, leaving your name completely unprotected. To avoid this catastrophic business error, most successful companies hire a trademark lawyer from our directory to track deadlines and manage the renewal paperwork on their behalf.
Step-by-Step Process for Renewing a Canadian Trademark
Renewing your brand is entirely a federal process. You do not need to deal with provincial courts; everything is handled directly through CIPO in Ottawa. Here is the standard process for keeping your trademark alive.
Step 1: Calculate Your Renewal Deadline
The first step is knowing your dates. 📅 In Canada, trademarks registered on or after June 17, 2019, are valid for 10 years from the date of registration. If your trademark was registered prior to that date, it originally had a 15-year term, but its next renewal will shift to the new 10-year cycle. You can process your renewal at any time during the 6 months leading up to the exact expiry date.
Step 2: Review Your Nice Classification Classes
Before 2019, Canadian trademarks did not charge per “class” of goods and services. Under the current modern system, your fees are directly tied to the internationally recognized Nice Classification system. You must review your original certificate and group your products. For example, if your trademark covers both software (Class 9) and clothing (Class 25), you will have to pay the base fee plus one additional class fee.
Step 3: Access the CIPO Online Portal
The most efficient way to renew is digitally. 💻 You or your registered trademark agent will log into the CIPO online e-services portal using a My ISED Account. You will need your official trademark registration number to pull up the correct file. The system will automatically calculate the required fees based on the classes currently listed on your profile.
Step 4: Pay the Government Fees
Once the classes are confirmed, you submit your payment. CIPO accepts standard corporate credit cards for online transactions. Once the payment is successfully processed, the federal database is updated almost immediately to reflect your new 10-year expiry date. A fresh digital certificate of renewal will be issued to your law firm or business address shortly after.
Step 5: Managing the Grace Period (If You Are Late)
If you accidentally miss your 10-year deadline, do not panic immediately. ⚠️ CIPO grants a 6-month grace period starting from the date of expiry (or two months from the date they mail you a default notice, whichever is later). Under Section 46(1) of the Trademarks Act, this grace period is officially part of the prescribed period for paying the renewal fees, meaning CIPO does not charge any additional late fee or penalty surcharge. However, relying on the grace period is still risky as it leaves your trademark vulnerable to potential administrative cancellation if you fail to finalize payment in time.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
CIPO updates their fees periodically to account for inflation, but the cost structure is highly predictable. Here is the exact breakdown of what you will pay in CAD:
| Type of Government Fee | Required Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Base Renewal Fee (First Class) | $595.06 paid via the CIPO online portal. |
| Additional Classes | $185.49 for each additional class beyond the first one. |
| Grace Period Renewal Surcharge | $0.00 (No late fee is charged by CIPO for paying within the grace period). |
| Law Firm Service Fee | Typically $300 – $600 for a lawyer to manage the docketing and submission. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Because renewal is mostly an administrative fee collection rather than a substantive legal review, the timeline is very fast. If you use the CIPO online portal, the database updates your new expiry date instantly upon payment confirmation. However, receiving the official paper or digital Certificate of Renewal in the mail can take between 2 to 4 weeks. It is best practice to initiate the process at least 3 months before your deadline to avoid any technical glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I drop a class of goods to save money on my renewal?
Yes. When it is time to renew, if you no longer sell a certain type of product (e.g., you stopped selling clothing), you can choose not to renew that specific class, saving yourself the $185.49 additional fee.
Will CIPO remind me when my trademark is expiring?
Generally, CIPO will mail a renewal notice to the address on file shortly before expiry. However, if you moved offices and forgot to update your address, you will miss the letter. It is ultimately your responsibility to track the deadline.
Do I have to prove I am still using the trademark to renew it?
Unlike the United States, Canada does not currently require you to submit a “Declaration of Use” or physical evidence just to pay your renewal fee. However, a third party can still challenge and cancel your mark for non-use at any time under Section 45 of the Trademarks Act.
What happens if the 6-month grace period expires?
If the grace period ends and fees remain unpaid, CIPO will officially expunge your trademark. You will lose all your registered rights, and you must start a brand new application from scratch, paying all new filing fees.
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