The Blog to Learn More About public search tm and its Importance
The Blog to Learn More About public search tm and its Importance
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 registered or pending trademarks in the official database maintained by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This procedure helps identify whether your proposed trademark is available or if it overlaps with any existing mark.
Conducting a trademark search at the beginning of the branding process minimises the risk of infringement and ensures your trademark identity remains unique and legally secured.
Why is Trade Mark Search Important?
Doing a trade mark search in advance of application is not just smart—it’s critical for ensuring success. A thorough search lets you:
- Steer clear of already-used marks
- Save money from rejected applications
- Avoid legal fights
- Preserve distinctiveness
- Speed up the registration process
Without adequate checking, your trademark application might be denied, wasting time and resources.
Steps to Do a Trademark Check in India
The Trade Marks Registry maintains an official portal where anyone can perform 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 know where your brand stands.
What Are Trademark Classes?
Each trademark is grouped into 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 fall under Class 25, while software tools 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 wordmark search looks for identical or similar spellings. A phonetic search finds names that sound alike, even if spelled differently.
This helps you catch trademarks that could cause conflicts, giving you better security before applying.
Resources and Platforms for Trade Mark Checks
The Indian IP Office provides a free, government search tool. There are also external platforms that offer extra features like:
- Smart filters
- Legal guidance
- Detailed reports
These tools simplify trademark checking for small businesses and give confidence that your trademark is ready to file.
Searching for Non-Text Trade Marks
If your brand identity uses a logo, you must perform a device mark search. Searching logos is more complex than wordmark searches, but the Registry portal supports image-based filters and keyword tagging.
This ensures your symbol or logo doesn’t match another registered design, keeping your brand safe.
Why Hire a Trademark Consultant?
While anyone can search, a legal expert brings experience to the process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Identify hidden risks
- Recommend changes
- Support filing and follow-up
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
- Choosing categories
- Paying government fees
The process then enters review, 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 brand assets are unique, legally safe, and fit for filing.
With easy-to-use tools and expert help, trademark in india search the process is now accessible. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation. Report this page