Maryland § 1-410

§ 1-410.

    (a)    Unless registration of a mark is renewed for a 10-year term as provided in this section, the registration expires on the tenth anniversary of its effective date.

    (b)    Within 1 year before registration of a mark expires, the Secretary of State shall mail to the registrant, at the last known address of the registrant:

        (1)    a renewal application form; and

        (2)    a notice that states:

            (i)    the date on which the current registration expires;

            (ii)    the date by which the Secretary of State must receive the renewal application for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the registration expires;

            (iii)    the amount of the renewal fee; and

            (iv)    instructions on how to access the renewal application form online.

    (c)    Before the registration of a mark expires, the registrant periodically may renew it for an additional 10–year term if, within 6 months before the expiration of the term of the registration:

        (1)    the registrant submits to the Secretary of State:

            (i)    a renewal application on the form that the Secretary of State provides; and

            (ii)    3 different specimens or reproductions of the mark being used;

        (2)    the registrant states in the renewal application that the mark is still in use in the State;

        (3)    the mark otherwise is entitled to be registered; and

        (4)    the registrant pays to the Secretary of State a renewal fee of $50.

    (d)    The Secretary of State shall renew the registration of and issue a renewal certificate to each registrant who meets the requirements of this section.

    (e)    A specimen or reproduction submitted under subsection (c) of this section may not include a business paper, including letterhead, a business card, or an envelope.