Why a trademark matters
A trademark is what turns a name you use into a name you own. Without one, a competitor can adopt a confusingly similar brand and you have very limited recourse — and in the worst case, someone else registers your name first and you are the one forced to rebrand. Registration gives you an exclusive statutory right to the mark across India for ten years, renewable indefinitely. You can begin using the ™ symbol the day the application is filed, and the ® symbol once registration is granted.
- Exclusive nationwide rights. Your mark is protected across all of India in the classes you register, not just the state you trade in.
- Legal remedy against copying. You can act against infringement and passing off, which is far harder to do with an unregistered mark.
- Use ™ from day one. The symbol can be used immediately on filing, which itself deters most opportunists.
- A saleable business asset. Trademarks can be licensed, franchised, assigned or used as security, and they appear on your balance sheet.
- Required by marketplaces. Amazon Brand Registry and similar programmes need a registered or applied-for trademark.
- Investor due diligence. Funders routinely check whether brand IP is properly owned by the company.
Documents you'll need
- The mark itself — the brand name in plain text, or the logo as a clear image file.
- PAN and Aadhaar of the applicant.
- Business registration proof if the applicant is a company, LLP or partnership firm.
- Udyam / MSME certificate, which reduces the government fee substantially — worth obtaining first if you don't have it.
- Form TM-48 authorisation, which we draft for your signature.
- Evidence of first use — invoices, packaging or advertising — if the mark is already in the market.
How the process runs
1
Free trademark searchWe search the registry for identical and deceptively similar marks and send you a written report on your realistic chances. If the name is a problem, we tell you before you spend anything.
2
Class selectionThere are forty-five classes and choosing correctly matters, because protection only extends to the classes you file in. Our IP attorney identifies the right ones for what you actually sell.
3
Application filedWe file with the Trademark Registry and send you the application number. From this moment you can legally use the ™ symbol.
4
Examination to registrationWe handle the examination report, file objection replies, manage publication in the Trademark Journal and attend hearings if required, through to the ® certificate.
How long does registration actually take?
Using the ™ symbol starts on day one, but full registration in India typically takes twelve to eighteen months if there are no objections, and longer if there are. That is the registry's timeline rather than ours. Your rights date back to the filing date, so the protection effectively begins immediately.
Frequently asked
What does "per class" mean for the price?
Trademarks are registered against classes of goods and services. ₹10,999 covers one class for one mark. If you need protection in several classes — say a clothing brand that also runs a café — each additional class is charged separately. We'll advise honestly on which classes you genuinely need.
Can I register a logo and a name together?
You can file a composite mark covering the logo with the name, which is one application. Many businesses prefer to file the wordmark and the logo separately, because that gives broader protection — the wordmark then covers the name in any styling. We'll explain the trade-off for your situation.
What if my application is objected to?
Objections are common and often resolvable. Our fee includes drafting and filing the reply to the examination report. If a hearing is scheduled, our attorney attends on your behalf. Only third-party opposition proceedings, which are rarer, are quoted separately.
Is my trademark valid outside India?
No. Trademark rights are territorial, so an Indian registration protects you in India only. If you trade internationally you would need to file in each country, or use the Madrid Protocol for a group of countries. Ask us if that applies to you.
★★★★★
"The free trademark search saved me from filing on a name that was already taken. They suggested an alternative, filed it the same week, and I could use the ™ symbol the next day. Honest advice rather than just taking my money."
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Neeraj BhatiaConsumer brand owner · Bangalore, Karnataka