How Much is it Worth For public search of trade marks
How Much is it Worth For public search of trade marks
Blog Article
How to Conduct a Trademark Search in India: Simple and Effective Steps
Understanding Trademark Search in India
A trademark search involves checking existing applied or approved trademarks in the government-maintained database run by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This process helps identify whether your desired trademark is available or if it interferes with any existing mark.
Conducting a trademark search at the beginning of the branding process minimises the risk of infringement and ensures your brand identity remains unique and legally protected.
Importance of Doing a Trade Mark Search
Doing a trade mark search prior to filing is not just wise—it’s essential for avoiding problems. A comprehensive search lets you:
- Prevent selecting already-used marks
- Save money from rejected applications
- Prevent future disputes
- Maintain exclusivity
- Simplify the registration process
Without proper checking, your trademark application might be opposed, wasting time and resources.
How to Check a Trade Mark in India?
The Trade Marks Registry maintains an official website where anyone can do a trademark search. To search:
- Access the Trade Marks Registry website
- Open the public search section
- Type your brand name or logo text
- Select the correct class
- View results
This platform gives you visibility into both registered trademarks and filed requests, so you can check availability.
Understanding Trademark Classes
Each trademark is grouped into a specific class. In India, there are 45 trademark classes—34 for goods and 11 for services. Selecting the right class ensures your search is relevant.
For example, a clothing label usually fall under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting precise results.
Why You Should Do Both Phonetic and Wordmark Searches
When checking for trademark availability, do 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 differently.
This helps you spot trademarks that could lead to confusion, giving you better security before applying.
Tools for Trademark Search in India
The Indian IP Office provides a free, government search tool. There are also private platforms that offer advanced features like:
- Search filters
- Expert analysis
- Trademark risk reports
These tools make the process easier for new brands and help ensure 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 government system supports image-based filters and keyword tagging.
This ensures your design or icon doesn’t infringe on another registered design, avoiding legal issues.
Professional Assistance for Trademark Search
While anyone can search, a legal expert brings experience to the process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Spot potential conflicts
- Suggest alternatives
- Handle the registration process
For serious public search tm businesses, professional support adds strategy and peace of mind.
Post-Search Steps: Filing Your Trademark
Once your search confirms the mark is clear, you can file your trademark. This includes:
- Preparing documents
- Choosing categories
- Paying government fees
The process then enters review, publication, and if no objections arise, your mark is officially registered.
Final Thoughts on Trademark Search
A proper trademark search in India is the most important step in protecting your brand. It ensures your brand assets are unique, protected by law, and ready for registration.
With simple search platforms and expert help, anyone can conduct a trademark search. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation. Report this page