Renewal windows
| Stage | Timing | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Normal renewal | Within 12 months before expiry | Fee paid, right extended ten years |
| Grace period | Within 6 months after expiry | Renewable with a late fee |
| After grace period | Beyond 6 months after expiry | Mark cancelled; a new application is required |
A cancelled mark that is refiled is examined afresh, and by then a third party may have filed first. Treat the grace period as a safety net, not a plan.
Name and address changes
Where the registrant's name or address changes, a recordal must be filed. The common failure is a company rename that never reaches the trademark register, which surfaces years later at renewal, assignment or enforcement.
- Start the trademark recordal alongside the company registration change
- Record all marks of the same registrant together, not a subset
- A recordal cannot alter the mark itself or expand the goods
- Keep the address current so CNIPA notices reach you before deadlines
Assignment and licence recordal
- Similar marks on the same goods should be assigned together
- Check whether the mark is under opposition, revocation or invalidation before assigning
- Licence recordal should state exclusivity and term
- The assignee should verify actual use, or risk revocation for three years of non-use
Frequently asked questions
Can a missed renewal be fixed?
Must the trademark be changed after a company rename?
How long does an assignment take?
Is licence recordal mandatory?
Does renewal require evidence of use?
Tell us the situation first, then we talk options
Send us your entity type, location and what you need done. We will set out the documents required, which steps need you in person, and a realistic timeline.
We serve all five districts of Foshan, and act for clients elsewhere in Guangdong and overseas on the same process.
This page reflects publicly available information as of October 2026. The competent authority's latest requirements prevail.
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