Trademark Registration
Protect your brand identity (Name, Logo, Tagline) with a registered Trademark under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. It grants you the exclusive legal right to use the mark across India and the power to stop counterfeiters.
Key benefits
- Exclusive Rights: Prevents competitors from riding on your goodwill by using identical or confusingly similar names.
- Intangible Asset: A registered trademark can be sold, franchised, or commercially contracted.
- Legal Presumption: Registration provides prima facie evidence of ownership in Indian courts.
- TM and ® Symbol: Use the ™ symbol immediately upon filing, and the ® symbol once the certificate is granted.
Documents required
- Logo image (if applying for a device mark).
- Applicant details (PAN, Aadhaar/Certificate of Incorporation).
- User Affidavit (if claiming that the mark has been used before the application date).
- MSME/Udyam Certificate (to claim a 50% discount on government fees).
How it works
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1
Application Drafting
Filing Form TM-A with precise descriptions of goods/services.
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2
Vienna Codification
The registry assigns codes to the graphical elements of your logo.
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3
Examination
An examiner reviews the application and either accepts it or issues an Examination Report (Objection).
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4
Publication
The mark is published in the Trademark Journal for 4 months to allow third-party oppositions.
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5
Registration
If unopposed, the Registration Certificate is issued, valid for 10 years.
Frequently asked questions
What is the government fee?
₹4,500 for Individuals, Startups (DPIIT), and MSMEs. ₹9,000 for other corporate entities (per class).
Can I register a descriptive word?
Usually no. Words that directly describe the product (e.g., 'Sweet' for chocolates, 'Fast' for couriers) are rejected under Section 9 unless they have acquired distinctiveness through massive long-term use.
Does an Indian trademark protect me globally?
No. Trademarks are territorial. For international protection, you must file via the Madrid Protocol or directly in target countries.