A trademark registration in Moldova runs for a defined term but can be renewed repeatedly when the owner meets the deadlines and pays the applicable fees. Renewal should not be left until the last minute: a miscalculated date, outdated ownership details or late payment can put a valuable brand at risk.
Protection term in Moldova
A national trademark registered with AGEPI is valid for 10 years calculated from the application filing date, not from the date on which the certificate was issued. This distinction matters. Examination and registration may occur after filing, but the first protection term is tied to the filing date shown in the official register.
At the end of the initial period, registration may be renewed for consecutive 10-year periods without a statutory limit on the number of renewals, provided each renewal is completed correctly and no other ground for loss of rights applies.
Renewal does not automatically alter the mark and is not an opportunity to add new goods or services. It continues the existing registration for the goods and services for which renewal is requested. If the business has expanded into other classes or the brand identity has changed materially, a separate new application may be needed.
Renewal window
The renewal request should be filed during the final six months of the registration's validity. The owner, or a person expressly authorized by the owner, may request renewal provided that the procedural requirements are met and the prescribed fee is paid. The exact deadline should be calculated using the filing and registration data in the National Register of Trademarks and the registration certificate.
It is sensible to begin the review 9-12 months before expiry. This allows time to confirm the owner's name and address, representative details and the classes that should be retained. Renewal may cover all registered goods and services or only some of them. If certain activities are no longer relevant, the portfolio can be rationalized, but dropping one class does not allow another class to be added through renewal.
Official fees depend on factors such as the type of mark and number of classes, and fee schedules can change. Check the AGEPI schedule in force at the filing date and retain proof of payment with the renewal confirmation.
What happens if you miss renewal
If the request was not filed during the final six months of the ordinary term, Moldovan law provides an additional six-month period after expiry. Renewal remains possible during this late window, but an additional fee is payable. The grace period should not be treated as the planned filing period: it creates extra cost and unnecessary operational risk if documents or payment are not processed in time.
Once both the registration term and additional six-month period have passed, ordinary renewal is no longer available, and failure to pay the renewal fee can result in loss of rights in the registration. Filing a new application does not automatically restore the old position. The new filing receives a new date, goes through examination again and may face intervening applications or rights owned by others.
If the deadline may already have passed, immediately check the official status and the procedural options available for the specific case. Do not rely solely on an internal calendar or a date copied from an old document.
Maintenance tips
Keep a portfolio register containing the mark number, filing date, owner, classes, territory and next deadline. Set reminders at 12, 9 and 6 months before expiry and assign a named person to act on them. For multi-country portfolios, record each jurisdiction's rules separately rather than applying the Moldovan timetable everywhere.
Keep the owner's and representative's details current. Mergers, company-name or address changes, assignments and licences may require recordal. Periodically compare the registered mark with the way the brand is actually used, and archive dated evidence such as packaging, invoices, advertising, website captures and contracts.
Renewal preserves the registration, but it does not replace monitoring for conflicting filings, genuine use or a wider portfolio review. If you are preparing a first filing or need new protection for changed elements or additional classes, see our trademark registration service.
FAQ
How long does a trademark registration last in Moldova?
It lasts 10 years from the filing date and may be renewed for consecutive 10-year periods.
Can I renew after the trademark has expired?
Usually yes, during the six months following expiry, subject to an additional fee. Confirm the status, procedure and current charges with AGEPI.
Must I prove use at every renewal?
Renewal and the legal obligation to use the mark are separate issues. Even if the renewal process does not require a periodic submission of all use evidence, non-use can have legal consequences in certain disputes or proceedings. Evidence should be retained continuously.
Can I add a new class when renewing?
No. Renewal continues protection for existing goods and services to the extent requested. New goods or services generally require a new application.
When should preparation begin?
Ideally 9-12 months before expiry, even though the ordinary filing window opens during the final six months. This leaves time to audit the portfolio and correct records.
The materials above are for informational purposes only and do not constitute personalized legal advice. Rules, fees and practice may change; for a specific matter, verify the current AGEPI information and consult a lawyer or an authorized intellectual property advisor.