The Growing Craze About the trade mark search india
The Growing Craze About the trade mark search india
Blog Article
Trademark Search in India: How to Check and Find Trade Marks Easily and Effectively
What is a Trademark Search?
A trademark search involves checking existing applied or approved trademarks in the central database maintained by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This process helps verify whether your proposed trademark is free to use or if it conflicts with any existing mark.
Conducting a trademark search before the branding process minimises the risk of infringement and ensures your trademark identity remains unique and legally protected.
Why Checking Trade Marks Before Filing Matters
Doing a trade mark search prior to filing is not just wise—it’s crucial for protecting your brand. A thorough search lets you:
- Prevent selecting already-used marks
- Reduce costs from rejected applications
- Reduce opposition risks
- Maintain exclusivity
- Simplify the registration process
Without careful checking, your trademark application might be opposed, wasting time and resources.
How to Check a Trade Mark in India?
The Trade Marks Registry offers an official website where anyone can perform a trademark search. To search:
- Go to the Trade Marks Registry website
- Navigate to the public search section
- Type your brand name or logo text
- Select the correct class
- Browse the list
This platform gives you visibility into both approved marks and filed requests, so you know where your brand stands.
Understanding Trademark Classes
Each trademark belongs to a specific class. In India, there are 45 trademark classes—34 for goods and 11 for services. Choosing the correct class ensures your search is relevant.
For example, a clothing label usually search under Class 25, while software tools often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting relevant results.
Why You Should Do Both Phonetic and Wordmark Searches
When checking for trademark availability, run both wordmark and phonetic searches. A literal match check looks for identical or similar spellings. A phonetic search finds names that are pronounced similarly, even if spelled in a different way.
This ensures you catch trademarks that could pose legal issues, giving you better security before applying.
Resources and Platforms for Trade Mark Checks
The Indian IP Office provides a free, official search tool. There are also private platforms that offer extra features like:
- Search filters
- Legal guidance
- Detailed reports
These tools make the process easier for small businesses and give confidence that your trademark is clear to register.
Searching for Non-Text Trade Marks
If your brand identity uses a logo, you’ll need to perform a visual mark check. Searching logos is more complex than wordmark searches, but the Registry portal supports visual filters and keyword tagging.
This ensures your design or icon doesn’t conflict with another registered design, keeping your brand safe.
Why Hire a Trademark Consultant?
While individuals can check trademarks, a trademark attorney brings clarity to the public search tm process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Identify hidden risks
- Recommend changes
- Handle the registration process
For serious businesses, professional support adds strategy and peace of mind.
From Search to Registration: Next Steps
Once your search confirms the mark is available, you can start the application process. This includes:
- Filling forms
- Selecting classes
- Submitting payments
The process then enters examination, publication, and if no objections arise, your mark is officially registered.
Conclusion
An early trademark search in India is the most important step in protecting your brand. It ensures your name, logo or slogan are free to use, protected by law, and fit for filing.
With easy-to-use tools and expert help, the process is now accessible. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation. Report this page