Why You Need to Know About public search tm?
Why You Need to Know About public search tm?
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 determine 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 prior to filing is not just wise—it’s crucial for avoiding problems. A comprehensive search lets you:
- Steer clear of already-used marks
- Reduce costs from rejected applications
- Avoid legal fights
- Preserve distinctiveness
- Speed up the registration process
Without proper checking, your trademark application might be rejected, wasting time and resources.
Steps to Do a Trademark Check in India
The Trade Marks Registry maintains an official platform where anyone can run a trademark search. To search:
- Access the Trade Marks Registry website
- Navigate to the public search section
- Type your brand name or logo text
- Select the correct class
- Check for matches
This platform gives you visibility into both registered trademarks and pending applications, so you can check availability.
What Are Trademark Classes?
Each trademark falls under a specific class. In India, there are 45 trademark classes—34 for goods and 11 for services. Selecting the right class ensures your search is accurate.
For example, a clothing label usually search under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting relevant 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 sound-based check finds names that sound alike, even if spelled differently.
This ensures you spot trademarks that could cause conflicts, giving you better peace of mind before applying.
Tools for Trademark Search in India
The Indian IP Office provides a free, government 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 small businesses and help ensure your trademark is ready to file.
How to Check Logo Trademarks
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 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.
Professional Assistance for Trademark Search
While individuals can check trademarks, a trademark attorney 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.
After You Search: What’s Next?
Once your search confirms the mark is clear, you can file your trademark. This includes:
- Preparing documents
- Choosing categories
- Paying government fees
The process then enters examination, journal listing, and if no objections arise, your mark is granted.
Conclusion
An early trademark search in India is public search of trade marks 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, the process is now accessible. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation. Report this page