Intellectual Property Maintenance

Intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, and designs hold significant economic and commercial value for their owners. To maintain the rights granted by registering company IP assets, it’s essential to maintain their validity and renew their registration according to law.

Patent Renewal in Israel

Israeli patent registration provides 20-year protection from application filing date. To maintain protection:

Initial Period:

– Initial 3-month validity upon registration

– Must pay renewal fee to extend for 6 years from filing date

– Subsequent renewals every 4 years until 20-year maximum

– Option to extend upfront for 20 years with increased fee

Important Notes:

– Patent validity updated in certificate records

– Patent Registrar not obligated to send renewal reminders

– Renewal responsibility lies with patent owner

– Beware of fraudulent renewal notices

– Recommended to consult IP attorney/patent attorney to:

– Verify legitimate renewal notices

– Ensure proper patent renewal

– Avoid fraud

International Patent Renewal

For maintaining foreign patent validity:

– Renewal fees must be paid periodically per country laws

– Expired patents cannot be enforced

– Some countries allow revival of expired patents within specific timeframes

US Patent Renewal

20-year validity with 3 renewal dates:

1. First renewal: 3.5 years after registration

– 6-month grace period with late fee

– Patent expires if unpaid

2. Second renewal: 7.5 years after registration

– 6-month grace period with late fee

– Patent expires if unpaid

3. Third renewal: 11.5 years after registration

– 6-month grace period with late fee

– Patent expires if unpaid

Trademark Renewal

Registered trademark validity is unlimited but requires:

1. Between 5th-6th year after registration:

– File Declaration of Use with proof

– Pay fee

– 6-month grace period available with additional fee

2. Before 10th year and every 10 years thereafter:

– Renew registration

– Submit Declaration of Use with proof

– Pay fee

Important Notes:

– Renewal confirmation posted online

– Owner responsible for renewal

– Registry sends written reminder

– Mark deleted if not renewed within 6 months of expiration

– Late fees apply for delayed renewal

– Revival possible within one year of expiration

– Changes to registration details possible

– Cancellation requests accepted

Design (Model) Renewal

Registered Design:

– Initial 5-year validity from application

– Renewable for four additional 5-year periods (25 years total)

– Renewal application required 3 months before expiration

– 6-month grace period after expiration with late fees

Registered Model:

– 15-year validity from registration

– No renewal fees required

Professional Services

As a leading IP firm, Dr. Mark Friedman’s practice offers:

– 30+ years diverse experience

– Thousands of registrations worldwide

– Comprehensive professional oversight including:

– Timely renewals

– Patent maintenance

– Trademark maintenance

– Design/model maintenance

– Solutions for expired IP revival

– Expert handling of Registrar negotiations

Note: Critical to renew IP assets before expiration, though our office provides optimal solutions for expired cases requiring renewal discussion with relevant Registrar.

*The aforementioned in this article and on the website in general should not be considered as legal advice and the things written in it should not be considered as a substitute for individual legal advice, but a personal opinion and/or a general explanation only. Of course, you should not rely on and/or act in accordance with the above without individual legal advice from an attorney

For any questions on this topic, contact us