The short answer
A Danish trademark is registered for 10 years from the date of filing the application and can be renewed for further 10-year periods. Renewal can be filed from 6 months before expiry to 6 months after expiry, with an additional fee in the late period. Denmark publishes the application first: anyone can oppose within 2 months of publication on relative grounds, by filing the opposition with a fee. A mark can be limited or revoked after 5 years without genuine use in Denmark.
Trademark deadlines in Denmark at a glance
These periods come from the Danish Consolidated Trade Marks Act (Consolidated Act No. 88 of 29 January 2019), in the unofficial English translation published by the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO). The Danish text prevails if there is a difference, so we check it and later amendments before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long is a registration valid? | 10 years from the date of filing of the application, renewable for further 10-year periods (Section 24(1) and (2)). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date (Section 24(1)). |
| When can I renew? | The application and the renewal fee can be filed 6 months before expiry at the earliest. Payment of the renewal fee is itself regarded as an application (Section 24(3) and (5)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. Within 6 months from expiry, subject to an additional fee. The renewal fee and the additional fee must be paid in that period (Section 24(5)). |
| Will the Office remind me? | It informs the proprietor at least 6 months before expiry, but cannot be held accountable for a missing notice (Section 24(4)). |
| Opposition period | 2 months from the date of publication of the application, with the grounds stated and a fee paid (Section 19(1)). |
| Opposition grounds | Relative grounds, such as conflict with an earlier right, against part or all of the goods or services (Section 19(2)). |
| Non-use | If the mark has not been put to genuine use in Denmark within 5 years after registration is completed, or use has been suspended for a continuous 5-year period, the mark faces the limits and sanctions in the Act, unless there are proper reasons (Section 10c). |
| Assignment | A transfer is recorded in the register on request (Section 38(3)). |
| Search report | The Office performs a search for earlier marks and sends a report to the applicant for information, with a time limit to respond, unless the applicant waives it (Section 17). |
Who can register a trademark in Denmark
Individuals and companies from any country can apply to the DKPTO. Denmark examines the application, publishes it, opens the opposition period, and then registers the mark (Sections 18, 19 and 23).
Representation. The Act text we reviewed does not itself set a rule on a Danish representative. The DKPTO's practice and the Executive Order govern this, so we confirm the requirements for a foreign owner before filing.
Trademark registration process in Denmark
Search
- Search the DKPTO register, the EU register and the international register for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the DKPTO with the mark and the goods or services in classes. Claim Paris Convention priority at filing.
Examination and search report
- The Office examines the application and sends a search report for information (Section 17).
Publication and opposition
- The application is published (Section 18).
- Anyone with a relative-ground objection can oppose within 2 months, with a fee (Section 19).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or any opposition is finally decided in your favour, the Office registers and publishes the mark (Section 23).
Official fees are set by the Act and Executive Order and change. We confirm the current DKPTO fee for your classes before we quote.
Denmark trademark validity and renewal
- The registration lasts 10 years from the filing date.
- Renewal can be filed from 6 months before expiry.
- A late renewal is possible up to 6 months after expiry, with an additional fee.
- A renewal can be limited to some of the goods or services.
- The renewal takes effect from the day after the existing period ends.
Count from the filing date, not from the registration date. The DKPTO's reminder is a courtesy, so we diarise every Danish expiry date.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Danish trademark
Assignment
Transfer of a mark
A mark can be transferred separately from the business, for all or some of the goods or services. A transfer of the whole business includes the mark unless otherwise agreed (Section 38(1) and (2)).
Recordal
Register entry
The transfer is recorded on request. Until the Office is notified, it considers the previous proprietor as the holder (Section 38(3)).
Renewal for part
Partial renewal
If the application or fee covers only part of the goods or services, only those are renewed (Section 24(6)).
Name or address
Change of the owner's details
Record the change so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address.
Non-use of a Danish trademark
Section 10c applies when the proprietor has not put the mark to genuine use in Denmark for the registered goods or services within 5 years following completion of the registration procedure, or if use has been suspended for a continuous 5-year period. The mark then becomes subject to the limits and sanctions in the Act, such as revocation and limits in infringement and invalidity proceedings, unless there are proper reasons for non-use.
Keep dated proof of use in Denmark: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Denmark
Search the DKPTO trademark register for applications and registrations and check the publication date. The 2-month opposition period runs from the date of publication.
Sources used
- Danish Consolidated Trade Marks Act (Consolidated Act No. 88 of 29 January 2019), unofficial English translation by the Danish Patent and Trademark Office: Sections 10c, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24 and 38.
- Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO) for fees, forms and the register.
Denmark trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Denmark, and from when?
10 years from the date of filing the application, renewable for further 10-year periods (Section 24).
When should I renew a Danish trademark, and is there a grace period?
From 6 months before expiry to 6 months after expiry, with an additional fee in the late period (Section 24(5)).
What is the opposition period in Denmark?
2 months from the date of publication of the application, with a fee (Section 19).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Denmark?
The official fee is set by the Act and Executive Order 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 Denmark?
Yes. We confirm the current representation requirements before filing.
Can I assign a Danish trademark?
Yes, separately from the business if you wish. Record the transfer in the register on request (Section 38).
Can a Danish trademark be revoked for non-use?
The mark becomes subject to the Act's limits and sanctions after 5 years without genuine use in Denmark, unless there are proper reasons (Section 10c).
Does Denmark register first and publish later?
No. Denmark publishes the application, opens the opposition period, and registers the mark after it (Sections 18, 19 and 23).
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Yes, under the Paris Convention, which allows 6 months from your first filing. We claim it at filing.
Does a Danish trademark cover the whole EU?
No. A Danish registration covers Denmark only. An EU trademark covers all EU member states.
Protect your brand in Denmark
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Danish deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
