The Growing Craze About the public search of trade marks
The Growing Craze About the public search of trade marks
Blog Article
Trademark Search in India: How to Check and Find Trade Marks Easily and Effectively
Trademark Search Basics – What You Need to Know
A trademark search is about examining existing registered or pending trademarks in the official database hosted by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This process helps verify whether your desired trademark is free to use or if it interferes with any existing mark.
Performing a trademark search before the branding process minimises the risk of legal violation and ensures your brand identity remains distinctive and legally protected.
Why Checking Trade Marks Before Filing Matters
Doing a trade mark search prior to filing is not just smart—it’s essential for ensuring success. A comprehensive search lets you:
- Avoid choosing already-used marks
- Save money from rejected applications
- Prevent future disputes
- Ensure your brand is unique
- Streamline the registration process
Without proper checking, your trademark application might be rejected, wasting time and resources.
Where and How to Search for Trade Marks in India
The Trade Marks Registry maintains an official portal where anyone can do a trademark search. To search:
- Visit the Trade Marks Registry website
- Open 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 registered trademarks and pending applications, 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 accurate.
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, run both wordmark and phonetic searches. A literal match check trademark search looks for same or close spellings. A sound-based check finds names that are pronounced similarly, even if spelled in a different way.
This helps you catch trademarks that could pose legal issues, giving you better security before applying.
Tools for Trademark Search in India
The Indian IP Office provides a free, official search tool. There are also private platforms that offer extra features like:
- Smart filters
- Expert analysis
- Detailed reports
These tools make the process easier for startups and help ensure your trademark is ready to file.
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 symbol or logo doesn’t infringe on another registered design, avoiding legal issues.
The Value of Expert Guidance for Trade Mark Searches
While anyone can search, a legal expert brings experience to the process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Identify hidden risks
- Suggest alternatives
- Support filing and follow-up
For serious businesses, professional support adds strategy and legal confidence.
From Search to Registration: Next Steps
Once your search confirms the mark is available, you can start the application process. This includes:
- Filling forms
- Choosing categories
- Paying government fees
The process then enters examination, journal listing, and if no objections arise, your mark is granted.
Final Thoughts on Trademark Search
A thorough trademark search in India is the first step in protecting your brand. It ensures your brand assets are unique, legally safe, and fit for filing.
With simple search platforms and expert help, anyone can conduct a trademark search. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand starts with a strong foundation. Report this page