IPMitra
Trade Marks Act, 1999
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Trademark Registration India

Trademark Registration
in India

Protect your brand by securing exclusive rights to your name, logo, and mark under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 — before someone else does.

45
Trademark Classes
10yr
Registration Validity
Free
Availability Check
1
Availability Check
2
TM-A Application
3
Examination
4
Objection Reply
5
Publication
6
Registration

Trademark Your Brand Name

All Indian states · IP India e-filing · Free availability check

+91

For informational purposes only. Does not constitute legal advice or create an advocate-client relationship.

Request Received

We have received your trademark enquiry. Our team will reach out to you on WhatsApp with a preliminary availability report shortly.

What is Trademark Registration

Your Brand Name as a Legal Asset

Trademark registration under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 gives a proprietor, startup, or business the exclusive legal right to use a brand name, logo, or mark in India for the goods or services it covers. A registered trademark carries the ® symbol and is valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely.

Without a registered trademark, anyone can use a similar name in your industry — and you have limited legal recourse. Registration is the foundation of brand protection in India. Before filing, it helps to run a free trademark search to check availability and identify the correct trademark class for your goods or services.

Exclusive Rights

Sole right to use your brand name and logo for your class of goods or services across India.

10-Year Validity

Registration is valid for 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed indefinitely.

Legal Enforceability

Registered trademarks can be enforced in court against infringers and counterfeit goods.

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Registration Timeline
1

Trademark Search

Check the IP India registry for identical or phonetically similar marks before filing.

2

File TM-A Application

Submit the application online via IP India's e-filing portal in the correct Nice Classification class.

3

Examination Report

The Registrar examines the application and may issue an examination report raising objections under Section 9 or Section 11.

4

Objection Reply

If objected, a reply to the examination report must be filed within 30 days addressing the grounds of refusal.

5

Show Cause Hearing

If the reply is not accepted, the Registrar may schedule a show cause hearing before deciding on acceptance or refusal.

6

Publication & Opposition

Accepted marks are published in the Trademark Journal. Third parties have 4 months to file an opposition.

7

Registration Certificate

If unopposed or opposition is defended successfully, the registration certificate is issued and the ® symbol can be used.

Trademark Registration Fees India

Government Fee per Class

Government fees are set by the Trade Marks Registry and are the same regardless of which professional files the application.

Individuals & Sole Proprietors

Single Owner / Proprietorship

₹4,500 / class

Applicable to individuals and sole proprietors filing in their own name.


Includes
e-filing via IP India portal
10-year registration validity
Acknowledgement receipt same day
Startups & MSMEs

Startup / MSME / Small Enterprise

₹4,500 / class

Same concessional rate applies to startups registered with DPIIT and MSMEs with Udyam registration.


Includes
DPIIT / Udyam recognition required
Same validity and rights as full fee
50% saving versus company rate
Companies & LLPs

Private Limited / LLP / Partnership

₹9,000 / class

Applicable to companies, LLPs, partnerships, and any entity that is not an individual or recognised MSME.


Includes
e-filing via IP India portal
10-year registration validity
Acknowledgement receipt same day

Government fees are set by the Trade Marks Registry. Professional assistance fees are separate and vary by provider. Industry average professional fee estimate: ₹2,000–₹5,000. Use our cost calculator for a full estimate.

Why Register

What Trademark Registration Gives You

Exclusive Use Rights

The right to use your mark exclusively in your industry across India, and to stop others from using identical or confusingly similar marks.

Use of ® Symbol

Legal right to use the registered trademark ® symbol, which signals brand authenticity and deters infringement without needing to take legal action.

Legal Evidence of Ownership

The registration certificate is prima facie evidence of ownership in Indian courts, significantly strengthening any infringement or passing-off action.

Online Marketplace Protection

Registered trademarks can be used to report and remove counterfeit listings on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and other platforms through their brand protection programmes.

Brand Valuation Asset

A registered trademark is an intellectual property asset that can be licensed, franchised, assigned, or used as collateral — it adds tangible value to your business.

Consumer Trust

Customers recognise registered marks as signals of an established, legitimate brand. Brand recognition built on a registered mark is more defensible than an unregistered one.

FAQ

Common Questions

How long does trademark registration take in India?
The full process from filing to registration typically takes 18–24 months if the application proceeds without objections or opposition. However, you receive an acknowledgement receipt on the same day of e-filing, and the ™ symbol can be used from that date. The ® symbol can only be used once the registration certificate is issued.
Can I trademark a logo along with my brand name?
Yes. In India, you can file a trademark application for a wordmark (name only), a device mark (logo only), or a composite mark (name + logo combined). Each is treated as a separate trademark. Most brands file both the word mark and the device mark separately so each has independent protection.
What is a Nice Classification class and how do I choose?
The Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 classes (1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services). Your trademark must be filed in the class that covers your specific goods or services. Filing in the wrong class gives you no protection for what you actually sell. Use IPMitra's free Trademark Class Finder to identify the right class for your business.
What happens if my trademark application receives an objection?
The Registrar of Trade Marks issues an examination report (objection letter) stating the grounds of refusal — typically under Section 9 (absolute grounds: descriptive, generic, etc.) or Section 11 (relative grounds: similar to existing marks). You have 30 days from the date of the examination report to file a reply. If the reply is satisfactory, the mark proceeds to publication. If not, a hearing may be scheduled.
Does a registered trademark in India protect me internationally?
No. Indian trademark registration only protects your mark within India. For international protection, you need to file separately in each country, or use the Madrid Protocol (administered by WIPO), which allows a single application to cover multiple member countries. If you sell internationally, international filing is worth considering after securing the Indian registration.
What documents are required for trademark registration in India?
For an individual or sole proprietor, you typically need identity proof, the logo (if applying for a device mark), and the details of the goods or services. For companies, LLPs, and partnerships, you also need the entity's registration details and a signed authorisation (Form TM-48). Startups and MSMEs claiming the concessional government fee must provide their DPIIT recognition or Udyam registration certificate.
What is the difference between the ™ and ® symbols?
The ™ symbol can be used as soon as you file a trademark application — it indicates you are claiming rights over the mark, even before registration. The ® symbol can only be used once the trademark is officially registered and the registration certificate is issued. Using ® on an unregistered mark is an offence under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
How much does trademark registration cost in India?
The government fee is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, sole proprietors, startups (DPIIT-recognised), and MSMEs, and ₹9,000 per class for companies, LLPs, and partnerships. Professional assistance fees are separate and vary by provider. You can estimate your total cost using our free trademark registration cost calculator.
Can an individual register a trademark, or only companies?
Any individual, sole proprietor, startup, MSME, partnership, LLP, or company can register a trademark in India. You do not need to be a registered business to file — an individual can apply in their own name. Individuals, sole proprietors, startups, and MSMEs also benefit from the lower government fee of ₹4,500 per class.
Can I register a trademark that is already in use by my business?
Yes. If you are already using a mark, you can file on a "used" basis and claim the date of first use, which can strengthen your rights against later applicants. You will need to provide evidence of use, such as invoices, packaging, or advertising material showing the mark in commerce. A trademark search is still recommended to confirm no conflicting registered marks exist.
Free Tools & Resources

Everything You Need to Register

Use our free tools to research your brand before you file, and read our guides to understand the trademark registration process in India.

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Ready to Register Your Trademark?

Enter your brand details above and we'll reach out on WhatsApp with a preliminary availability check and next steps.