The Growing Craze About the public search tm
The Growing Craze About the 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 applied or approved trademarks in the government-maintained database hosted by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This procedure helps verify whether your chosen trademark is available or if it interferes with any existing mark.
Conducting 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 smart—it’s crucial for ensuring success. A comprehensive search lets you:
- Prevent selecting already-used marks
- Reduce costs from rejected applications
- Reduce opposition risks
- Maintain exclusivity
- Speed up the registration process
Without careful checking, your trademark application might be denied, wasting time and resources.
How to Check a Trade Mark 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
- Choose the correct class
- Browse the list
This tool gives you visibility into both approved marks and pending applications, so you can check availability.
Understanding 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 accurate.
For example, apparel brands usually search under Class 25, while tech products 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, perform both wordmark and phonetic searches. A literal match check looks for identical or similar spellings. A sound-based check finds names that are pronounced similarly, even if spelled differently.
This ensures you spot trademarks that could pose legal issues, giving you better security before applying.
Tools for Trademark Search in India
The CGPDTM provides a free, government search tool. There are also external platforms that offer advanced features like:
- Search filters
- Expert analysis
- Detailed reports
These tools simplify trademark checking for small businesses and give confidence that your trademark is ready to file.
How to Check Logo Trademarks
If your trademark includes a logo, you’ll need to 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 design or icon doesn’t check trade mark infringe on another registered design, keeping your brand safe.
Why Hire a Trademark Consultant?
While anyone can search, a trademark attorney brings depth to the process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Spot potential conflicts
- Suggest alternatives
- Handle the registration process
For serious businesses, professional support adds accuracy and peace of mind.
After You Search: What’s Next?
Once your search confirms the mark is available, you can file your trademark. This includes:
- Preparing documents
- Selecting classes
- Paying government fees
The process then enters review, journal listing, and if no objections arise, your mark is granted.
Conclusion
A thorough trademark search in India is the first step in securing your identity. It ensures your brand assets are free to use, protected by law, and ready for registration.
With simple search platforms and expert help, anyone can conduct a trademark search. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation. Report this page