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FY 2026-27
How to renew a registered trademark in Pakistan on Form TM-12 under Section 38. Learn 10-year renewal deadlines, grace periods, restoration on Form TM-13, and f
By Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi · 6 September 2026
Author Note / Last Updated: Updated September 2026 by Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi | Advocate High Court | Professional Tax Consultant
Securing a Trademark Registration Certificate from IPO-Pakistan is a major milestone, but it does not grant you eternal rights by default. Unlike a copyright, which lasts for the author's lifetime plus fifty years, a trademark is a commercial monopoly that must be actively maintained.
In Pakistan, if you fail to renew your trademark by the statutory deadline, the Trade Marks Registry will administratively cancel your registration, stripping your brand of all legal protections and allowing competitors to legally register and use your name.
This guide explains the exact timelines, government fees, and the critical legal process required to renew or restore an expired trademark under the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001.
Under Section 34 of the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001, a registered trademark in Pakistan is valid for 10 years.
Crucial Warning: This 10-year period is calculated from the Date of Filing (Priority Date) of the original application (Form TM-1), not the date the final certificate was issued.
Since the registration process itself often takes 2 to 3 years, many business owners mistakenly believe they have 10 years from the date they received the certificate. This error is the number one cause of missed renewal deadlines in Pakistan.
A trademark can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods, provided the renewal fees are paid.
You are legally permitted to file for renewal up to six months before the expiration date. It is highly recommended to file at least 3 months prior to expiration to account for administrative processing delays at IPO-Pakistan.
The renewal process is entirely administrative. It does not require a new examination or publication in the Trade Marks Journal (unless the mark was struck off and is being restored).
Once processed, the Registry will issue a formal Renewal Certificate extending your protection for another decade.
Business owners frequently miss the exact 10-year anniversary. Fortunately, the Trade Marks Ordinance provides a statutory grace period, though it comes with financial penalties.
If your trademark expires, you have exactly six months from the date of expiration to file for late renewal.
Legally, the Registrar is required to send a notice (Form O-3) to the registered proprietor (at the address on file) before removing the mark. However, relying on the postal service or the IPO to remind you is extremely dangerous. It is entirely your responsibility to track the 10-year deadline.
What happens if you miss the expiration date AND you miss the 6-month grace period?
At this point, the Registrar will officially remove your trademark from the register and publish a notice of removal in the Trade Marks Journal. Your brand is now legally unprotected.
However, all hope is not lost. You can file for Restoration.
If more than one year has passed since the expiration date, the trademark cannot be restored. The file is permanently dead. To regain protection, you must start the entire process from scratch by filing a brand new TM-1 application, completely losing your original Priority Date. If a competitor has registered the name in the interim, you will lose your brand entirely.
Managing an Intellectual Property portfolio requires rigorous calendaring. A missed trademark renewal deadline can destroy a brand's valuation overnight. To ensure continuous protection, task your legal counsel with maintaining an IP docket, and always initiate the TM-12 renewal process at least 90 days before your 10-year anniversary.
Disclaimer: Statutory deadlines and IPO-Pakistan government fees are subject to change. This guide outlines the legal procedures under the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001, as of 2026. Always consult with a registered IP attorney for critical deadline management.
Legal & Statutory Notice: The information provided in this publication is for general educational, academic, and statutory informational purposes only under the relevant laws of Pakistan (including the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Companies Act, 2017, and the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001). This content does not constitute formal legal, financial, or tax advice. For specific assessments, consult a licensed Advocate or qualified tax professional.
