If you are an Amazon seller and you urgently need a trademark for Amazon Brand Registry, then Germany is the best and quickest choice. Typically, trademarks are registered by the German trademark office within 3 to 4 weeks, in accelerated trademark application proceedings often in 2 to 3 weeks.
Additionally, a registered German trademark will allow you to enroll into Amazon Transparency program. In Amazon’s own words “Transparency is a product serialization service that helps identify individual units and proactively prevent counterfeits from reaching customers. When you enroll in Transparency, Amazon scans your products to ensure that only authentic units are shipped to customers.”
Of course, filing in Germany is advisable as well if you sell your products in Germany or if you have a business in Germany.
Trademarks can last forever if they are renewed on time. Keep in mind you will have to continue using your trademark to keep it in good standing.
In the US, you must renew your trademark every 10 years. The 10 year term is counted from the registration date. In addition, between the 5th and 6th year after the registration date, you must file an “affidavit of use” to keep the registration alive.
In European Union, Germany, the United Kingdom, India and Australia, you have to renew your trademark every 10 years. The 10 year term counts from the application date.
In China, trademarks have to be renewed every 10 years. The renewal period is counted from the date of registration.
In Canada, a trademark has to be renewed every 10 years (the renewal period was changed from 15 to 10 years in June of 2019). The 10 year term counts from the registration date.
