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
What is a Trademark Search?
A trademark search is about examining existing registered or pending trademarks in the central database hosted by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This process helps identify whether your desired trademark is free to use or if it overlaps with any existing mark.
Doing a trademark search early in the branding process minimises the risk of legal violation and ensures your trademark identity remains distinctive and legally protected.
Importance of Doing a Trade Mark Search
Doing a trade mark search in advance of application is not just wise—it’s critical for protecting your brand. A comprehensive search lets you:
- Prevent selecting already-used marks
- Reduce costs from rejected applications
- Reduce opposition risks
- Preserve distinctiveness
- Speed up the registration process
Without proper checking, your trademark application might be denied, wasting time and resources.
How to Check a Trade Mark in India?
The Trade Marks Registry offers an official portal where anyone can do a trademark search. To search:
- Visit the Trade Marks Registry website
- Open the public search section
- Enter your keyword
- Choose the correct class
- View results
This tool gives you visibility into both approved marks and filed requests, 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 focused.
For example, apparel brands usually fall under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting precise results.
Different Types of Trademark Checks
When trade mark search india checking for trademark availability, do both wordmark and phonetic searches. A wordmark search looks for identical or similar spellings. A sound-based check finds names that are pronounced similarly, even if spelled differently.
This helps you spot trademarks that could lead to confusion, giving you better peace of mind before applying.
Tools for Trademark Search in India
The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks provides a free, government search tool. There are also third-party platforms that offer advanced features like:
- Smart filters
- Legal guidance
- Trademark risk reports
These tools simplify trademark checking for new brands and help ensure your trademark is ready to file.
Searching for Non-Text Trade Marks
If your trademark includes 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 match 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
- Recommend changes
- Handle the registration process
For serious businesses, professional support adds strategy and legal confidence.
Post-Search Steps: Filing Your Trademark
Once your search confirms the mark is clear, you can file your trademark. This includes:
- Preparing documents
- Selecting classes
- Paying government fees
The process then enters review, publication, and if no objections arise, your mark is officially registered.
Conclusion
A thorough trademark search in India is the first step in protecting your brand. It ensures your brand assets are unique, protected by law, and fit for filing.
With easy-to-use tools and expert help, the process is now accessible. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation. Report this page