Which document is crucial for maintaining a trademark registration?

The Section 8 declaration of continued use is a vital document for maintaining a trademark registration because it is required to demonstrate that the trademark is still being used in commerce. Under the Lanham Act, the owner of a registered trademark must file this declaration between the 5th and 6th years following the registration date to confirm that the trademark remains in use. If this declaration is not filed, the USPTO may cancel the trademark registration, leading to the loss of valuable rights associated with that mark.

Filing a trademark renewal application is important but occurs later in the trademark's lifecycle, typically between the 9th and 10th year after registration and then every 10 years thereafter. While necessary for trademark maintenance, the Section 8 declaration is the more immediate requirement to affirm ongoing use.

A Notice of Allowance is issued during the application process when an application is allowed but before registration upon the filing of a Statement of Use or an Extension Request. It is not relevant for maintaining an existing registration. Similarly, a Cancellation Notice relates to the process initiated by a third party seeking to invalidate a trademark registration, which does not pertain to maintaining one’s own trademark.