The short answer
A Czech trademark is registered for 10 years from the filing date and renewed for further 10-year periods. The renewal request must be filed in the 12 months before expiry, at the latest on the expiry date, or in a further 6 months after expiry. These time limits cannot be extended. Anyone with an earlier right can oppose within 3 months of the publication of the application, and a mark can be revoked after 5 continuous years without genuine use.
Trademark deadlines in the Czech Republic at a glance
These rules come from Act No. 441/2003 Coll. on Trade Marks, in the English text on WIPO Lex as amended up to Act No. 261/2021 Coll. The authority is the Industrial Property Office (UPV). We check later amendments before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years from the date of filing, renewable for further periods of 10 years (Section 29(1) and (2)). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date. Trade marks are registered for 10 years from the date of filing of the application (Section 29(1)). |
| When can I renew? | File the renewal request in the 12 months before expiry, at the latest on the expiry date. The time limit cannot be extended or restored (Section 29(2)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. A request can still be filed within a further 6 months following expiry (Section 29(3)). If it is filed outside the time limits, it is deemed not to have been filed (Section 29(4)). The Office tells the proprietor at least 6 months before expiry, but not receiving that notice does not stop the registration from expiring. |
| Opposition period | 3 months following the publication of the application, by the persons listed in Section 7. The notice must contain reasons and evidence, and the time limit cannot be extended or restored (Section 25). |
| Priority claim | A right of priority can be claimed in the application, stating the date and country of the earlier application (Section 20 and the application section). The Paris Convention gives 6 months. |
| Non-use | The Office revokes a trade mark, on application by a third party, if within a continuous period of 5 years before the application it was not put to genuine use for the goods or services, and there are no proper reasons (Section 31(1)(a)). Use that started or resumed within 3 months before the application, after the owner learned an application might be filed, is disregarded. |
| Assignment | Record the transfer with the Office so the register shows the new owner. Ask us for the current procedure and fee. |
| Proof of use in opposition | The applicant can request proof of use of an earlier trade mark within 2 months from delivery of the opposition notice. That time limit cannot be extended or restored. |
| Partial renewal | If the request covers only some goods or services, the registration is renewed for those only (Section 29(5)). |
Who can register a trademark in the Czech Republic
Individuals and companies from any country can apply to the UPV. The Office examines the application, registers the mark and publishes it, and owners of earlier rights can oppose within 3 months of the publication.
Representation. An applicant can act through a representative with a representation document attached to the application. Applicants without a seat in the Czech Republic normally use a Czech agent. We confirm the current requirements before filing.
Trademark registration process in the Czech Republic
Search
- Search the Industrial Property Office (UPV) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the Industrial Property Office (UPV), through your Czech representative.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Registration and publication
- The Office examines the application, registers the mark and publishes it. Opposition runs from the publication.
Opposition window
- Owners of earlier rights can oppose within 3 months of publication, with reasons and evidence (Section 25).
Official fees are set by the Industrial Property Office (UPV) 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.
the Czech Republic trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the filing date.
- Request renewal in the 12 months before expiry, at the latest on the expiry date.
- A request can still be filed in a further 6 months after expiry.
- These time limits cannot be extended or restored, so we diarise them well ahead.
- A partial renewal renews only the goods and services named.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Czech trademark
Assignment
Transfer of a mark
Record the transfer with the Office so the register shows the new owner.
Licence
Licensing
A licence can be recorded. Ask us for the current approach.
Partial renewal
Fewer goods or services
Name the goods and services to renew (Section 29(5) and (6)).
Name or address
Change of the owner's details
Record the change so notices and the 6-month expiry notice reach the right address.
Non-use and cancellation of a Czech trademark
Under Section 31(1)(a), the Office revokes a trade mark, on a third party's application, if it was not put to genuine use for the goods or services for a continuous period of 5 years before the application, and there are no proper reasons for non-use. The Act also provides for revocation if the mark became the common name or misleading through the owner's acts.
Keep dated proof of use in the Czech Republic: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in the Czech Republic
Search the UPV register and check the publication date for the opposition clock and the filing date for the renewal clock.
Sources used
- Act No. 441/2003 Coll. on Trade Marks, English text on WIPO Lex (as amended up to Act No. 261/2021 Coll.): Sections 7, 20, 25, 26, 29, 31 and 32.
- Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (UPV) for the register, forms, fees and later amendments.
the Czech Republic trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in the Czech Republic, and from when?
10 years from the date of filing, renewable for further periods of 10 years (Section 29(1) and (2)). It counts from the filing date of the application (Section 29(1)).
When should I renew a Czech trademark, and is there a grace period?
File the renewal request in the 12 months before expiry, at the latest on the expiry date. The time limit cannot be extended or restored (Section 29(2)).
What is the opposition period in the Czech Republic?
3 months following the publication of the application, by the persons listed in Section 7. The notice must contain reasons and evidence, and the time limit cannot be extended or restored (Section 25).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the Czech Republic?
The official fee is set by the Industrial Property Office (UPV) 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 the Czech Republic?
Yes. A foreign applicant can file in the Czech Republic and normally uses a Czech representative. We confirm the current requirements before filing.
Can I assign a Czech trademark?
Record the transfer with the Office so the register shows the new owner. Ask us for the current procedure and fee.
Can a Czech trademark be cancelled for non-use?
The Office revokes a trade mark, on application by a third party, if within a continuous period of 5 years before the application it was not put to genuine use for the goods or services, and there are no proper reasons (Section 31(1)(a)). Use that started or resumed within 3 months before the application, after the owner learned an application might be filed, is disregarded.
How can I check the status of a Czech trademark?
Use the Industrial Property Office (UPV) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
A right of priority can be claimed in the application, stating the date and country of the earlier application (Section 20 and the application section). The Paris Convention gives 6 months.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the Industrial Property Office (UPV) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in the Czech Republic
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Czech deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
