{"id":29132,"date":"2026-05-20T14:09:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T14:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regimbeau.eu\/?post_type=insight&p=29132"},"modified":"2026-10-01T12:49:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T12:49:20","slug":"trademark-proof-of-use-revocation","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/regimbeau.eu\/en\/insight\/trademark-proof-of-use-revocation\/","title":{"rendered":"Insufficient proof of use: a serious threat to your trademark rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Is my trademark at risk of revocation on the ground of non-use?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Any owner of a trademark that has been registered for a certain period of time is at risk of revocation for non-use, which is why it is important to plan ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the five-year period following registration has elapsed, your trademark may become vulnerable to revocation proceedings for non-use. The risk? Your rights may become unenforceable, or you may even lose them in the relevant territory, for all or part of the goods and services covered by the registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, by adopting a few simple practices, this risk can be largely managed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When does the risk arise? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even outside of any dispute, any interested third party may seek revocation on the grounds of non-use. The aim? To have your trademark revoked and removed from the register, thereby making it available for registration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The risk may also arise when you wish to invoke your rights against third parties. This could involve, for example, preventing the registration of a trademark that is too similar to yours or seeking a declaration of invalidity of an already registered trademark. Failure to use your trademark is the opposing party\u2019s first line of defence!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these various scenarios, proof of use must be provided within very tight deadlines: one month before the INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property) andtwo months before the EUIPO. Such proof must therefore be readily gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words: five years after registration, a trademark for which you cannot provide proof of genuine use is significantly weakened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anticipate rather than react : keep proof of use of your trademark!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Businesses which encounter the fewest difficulties are those that adopt good practices. Regularly collecting proof of use of your trademark is the most effective safeguard against revocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this regard, the proof of use provided must demonstrate use of the trademark as a trademark, aimed at maintaining or creating market shares, rather than purely symbolic use or use merely as a trade name, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practice, a wide variety of documents can be collected, as genuine use can be proven by any means: invoices, brochures and catalogues, marketing materials, advertisements, website screenshots, product packaging, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get your marketing and communications teams on board : they are on the front line to help you gather proof of use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good to know : genuine use may be demonstrated by the trademark owner or by persons using the mark with the owner\u2019s consent, in particular a licensee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key areas of concern<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Proof of use is assessed as a whole by the offices, which evaluate its consistency and relevance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practical terms, the proof submitted should clearly identify:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • your trademark as registered (subject to permissible variations in certain specific cases)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • the goods and services covered by your trademark;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • the territory in which your trademark is protected;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • the period of use, hence the importance of dated documents. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Particular care should be taken with regard to the applicable rules, which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In the United States for instance, proving the use of a trademark involves filing periodic declarations with the local trademark office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It should also be noted that the point at which a trademark may be challenged on the grounds of non-use varies from country to country, and the rules may be\u00a0more stringent. In China, for example, a trademark may be challenged after only three years of non-use following its registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Building a robust file of proof of use cannot be improvised: it is an essential investment in protecting and enhancing the value of your trademarks, which are strategic assets for your business!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our team of experts assists you in implementing best practices to protect, enforce and enhance the value of your trademarks over the long term.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Is my trademark at risk of revocation on the ground of non-use? Any owner of a trademark that has been registered for a certain period of time is at risk...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":0,"template":"","tags":[397],"class_list":["post-29132","insight","type-insight","status-publish","hentry","tag-trademarks-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nInsufficient proof of use: a serious threat to your trademark rights - Regimbeau<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Trademark proof of use: why collect it and how to avoid the risk of revocation for non-use? 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