Back to Trademark basics

Can you modify a trademark?

Founder & Trademark Attorney

No, except for minor, non-material changes, the mark itself cannot be changed. You can narrow down the list of goods and services (but not expand it), and you can update administrative details such as the ownership information, but the mark on record always stays fixed.

This is because the IP office's examination is based on the mark as submitted. Changing the mark would require a new assessment, which effectively means a new application. For example, if you've rebranded to a different logo and need to register a different version of the mark, a new application must be filed.

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Numerous entrepreneurs could start their story with the words “inspired by life” and Tom Revill, the founder of Plank hardware, is certainly one of them. “Plank Hardware all started with a few planks of wood and a new flat. We found that finding the right hardware at a reasonable price wasn’t so easy. We were so happy with the final pieces that we started making and selling them to friends, family and online. As a start-up, we’ve invested everything into our products and building our brand, so protecting that is really important to us.”

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