What trademark owners need to know

A trademark is a sign or combination of signs that enables the goods or services of one person to be distinguished from those of others.

On May 31, 2025, the Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of the Interests of Individuals in the Sphere of Intellectual Property during the Martial Law Introduced in Connection with the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” (hereinafter referred to as the Law) became invalid. Thus, special conditions for owners of intellectual property rights, in particular trademarks (hereinafter referred to as TMs), that were in force during the period of validity of the said Law are being abolished.

Currently, in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On the Recognition of the “Law of Ukraine On the Protection of the Interests of Individuals in the Sphere of Intellectual Property during the Martial Law Introduced in Connection with the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” as invalid, a transitional period is in effect until August 14, 2025, and, accordingly, trademark owners still have the opportunity to sort out issues regarding their TMs without imposing additional costs or other adverse consequences on them.

• Who does this apply to?

For example, TM owners whose certificates expired during the grace period and who need to submit an application for the extension of the certificate for a mark for goods and services. If the deadline for paying the fee for the extension of the TM has come during the validity of the Law, but has not been paid due to the grace period, then there is time to do this until August 14, 2025. The fees paid during this period will be considered paid on time, and the validity of the certificate for a mark for goods and services is extended for a period of 10 years from the date of the end of the previous period of validity of this certificate.

• What are the consequences of not doing this?

The validity of the certificate for a mark for goods and services will be terminated if the deadline for the extension of the rights is missed. The usual terms and conditions for the extension of the term of validity of TM certificates, providing a response to objections to the registration of a TM, etc., are restored – those that were in effect before the entry into force of the aforementioned Law.
So, pay attention to the expiration dates of your trademarks: now is the time to check whether they need to be renewed. If the certificate has already expired, it is advisable to take advantage of the transition period, which lasts until August 14, 2025.
We recommend that you consult with our specialists to prepare the necessary documents in a timely manner and preserve the rights to your trademark without unnecessary risks and costs.