How Long Is a Trademark Good for in Hong Kong?

Understanding the duration of a trademark in Hong Kong is essential for businesses looking to protect their brand and intellectual property. A trademark not only safeguards your logo, name, or slogan but also strengthens your market credibility and prevents competitors from using similar identifiers.

In Hong Kong, once a trademark is successfully registered, it is valid for an initial period of 10 years from the date of registration. This applies to both local businesses and international companies registering their marks under the Hong Kong Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559).

Renewal of Trademarks

In Hong Kong, the practice of renewing a trademark can be done over and over without any limit, if only the owners continue paying their renewal fees each decade. As a result, the renewal is done through the submission of a renewal application at the IPD in Hong Kong, which has to be done before the expiration date. There is a short period, usually a few days, between the expiration date of a trademark and the time when you can renew it and in this case, you may be charged with a payment of a certain amount as a penalty.

Key Points to Keep in Mind:

• The start of the first 10-year period is the date of registration, not that of application.
• Trademark rights extend to those goods and services for which you have applied. If you want to trade in other categories, a new application will be necessary.
• By actively keeping your trademark, you avoid legal fights and infringements thereby making sure that your brand remains the exclusive one in Hong Kong.
• Brands usually secure their trademarks together with domain names and social media handles for a total brand protection strategy.

Expert Assistance

Navigating trademark registration and renewals in Hong Kong can be complex, especially for international businesses. Professional services, such as One IBC Hong Kong, offer expert guidance to ensure your trademark registration is accurate, complete, and compliant. They can help you monitor renewal deadlines, manage applications across multiple jurisdictions, and maintain continuous brand protection.

In summary, a registered trademark in Hong Kong is valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely, giving your brand long-term security in one of Asia’s most competitive business environments.