The short answer
A Taiwan trademark lasts 10 years from the date of publication of the registration, and renewals are also for 10 years. Request renewal in the 6 months before expiry, or in the 6 months after expiry at double the fee. Anyone can oppose within 3 months of the registration publication, and a mark that was not used for 3 continuous years without proper reasons can be revoked. A foreign applicant with no domicile or business in Taiwan must appoint an agent.
Trademark deadlines in Taiwan at a glance
These periods come from Taiwan's Trademark Act, English text published by the Ministry of Justice (Laws and Regulations Database), last amended on 24 May 2023. The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) administers it. We re-check every deadline against the current text before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years, and each renewal is also 10 years (Articles 33 and 34). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of publication of the registration, not the filing date (Article 33). |
| When can I renew? | Request renewal and pay the fee within the 6 months before expiry (Article 34). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. Within 6 months after expiry you can still renew, by paying double the fee (Article 34). |
| When does renewal take effect? | The day after the previous term expires (Article 34). |
| Opposition period | 3 months, counted from the day after the publication of the registration (Article 48). |
| Priority claim | Within 6 months from the day after the first application's filing date (Article 20). |
| Non-use revocation | A mark not used, or whose use has stopped, for a continuous period of 3 years or more without proper reasons can be revoked (Article 63(2)). |
| Assignment | Has no effect against third parties until entered in the Register (Article 42). |
| Reply to an Office action | TIPO sets a prescribed period in each notice. We diarise it the day it arrives. |
Who can register a trademark in Taiwan
Natural persons and legal entities can apply. Taiwan's Act protects marks through registration with TIPO.
Agent required. An applicant with no domicile or business establishment in Taiwan must appoint an agent to handle the registration and other procedures. The agent must have a domicile in Taiwan and meet the qualifications listed in the Act (Article 6).
Trademark registration process in Taiwan
Search
- Search TIPO's trademark database for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File through your Taiwan agent with the mark and the goods or services.
- Claim priority within 6 months of your first application (Article 20).
Examination
- TIPO examines the application. If it raises an issue, it sets a prescribed period to respond.
Registration and publication
- Once registered, the registration is published and the 10-year term runs from that publication date (Article 33).
Opposition window
- Anyone can oppose within 3 months after the publication of the registration (Article 48).
Official fees are set by TIPO and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Taiwan trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the date of publication of the registration, and each renewal is 10 years.
- Request renewal and pay the fee within the 6 months before expiry.
- If you miss it, you have 6 months after expiry, at double the fee.
- Renewal takes effect the day after the old term ends.
Count from the publication date, not from the filing date. A Taiwan registration is opposed after it is published, so protection starts first and the challenge window follows.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Taiwan trademark
Assignment
Transfer of a mark
A transfer has no effect against third parties until it is entered in the Register (Article 42). Ask us to record it as soon as it is signed.
Licence
Licence recordal
Record licences so they can be relied on against third parties. Ask us for the current TIPO form and fee.
Name or address
Change of the owner's details
Record the change with TIPO so notices reach the right address.
Agent
Appointing or changing the agent
A foreign owner must keep a Taiwan agent on record (Article 6).
Revocation and non-use of a Taiwan trademark
Article 63(2) allows revocation where the mark has not been used, or its use has stopped, for a continuous period of 3 years or more without proper reasons. Keep dated proof of use in Taiwan: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
Use of the mark by a licensee, and use that keeps the mark's identity, should be documented in the same way.
How to check a trademark in Taiwan
Search applications and registrations in TIPO's online trademark database, and check the publication date. The 3-month opposition period and the 10-year term both run from the publication of the registration.
Sources used
- Trademark Act of Taiwan, English text in the Ministry of Justice Laws and Regulations Database (last amended 24 May 2023): Articles 6, 20, 33, 34, 42, 48 and 63.
- Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) for fees, forms and the database.
Taiwan trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Taiwan, and from when?
10 years from the date of publication of the registration (Article 33).
When should I renew a Taiwan trademark, and is there a grace period?
Within the 6 months before expiry. You can also renew within 6 months after expiry at double the fee (Article 34).
What is the opposition period in Taiwan?
3 months, counted from the day after the publication of the registration (Article 48).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Taiwan?
The official fee is set by TIPO and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Taiwan?
Yes. If it has no domicile or business establishment in Taiwan it must appoint an agent there (Article 6).
Can I assign a Taiwan trademark?
Yes, but the transfer has no effect against third parties until it is entered in the Register (Article 42).
What happens if I miss the renewal date?
You can still renew within 6 months after expiry by paying double the fee. After that the registration is not renewed.
Can a Taiwan trademark be revoked for non-use?
Yes. A mark not used for a continuous 3 years or more, without proper reasons, can be revoked (Article 63(2)).
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Yes, within 6 months from the day after your first application's filing date (Article 20).
How can I check the status of a Taiwan trademark?
Use TIPO's online trademark database and check the publication date.
Protect your brand in Taiwan
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Taiwan deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
