Overview of Trademark Registration

In India, Trademarks are classified as Intellectual Property and therefore is given protection from any kind of infringement. Trademarks and the rights associated with are protected by the Trademark Act, 1999, in India. To get the protection of the trademark rights the owner has to register the trademark with the Trademark Registry.

It is very important to register the Trademark because it prevents other people from copying the mark and also misrepresenting other products with the same mark. Trademarks help the consumers to recognise a particular brand and the brand value in one look of its mark. For instance, as the logo of a tick sign for Nike or a jumping wildcat for the brand Puma any many more. In the article, we will discuss the step by step process of Trademark Registration in India.

Meaning of the “Trademark in India”

In simple terms, a Trademark is a logo or brand which represents the business of the Trademark owner.

A visual symbol like a name, word signature, device, numerals, labels or combination of colours used by the trademark owner for goods or services or any other articles of commerce to distinguish it from all other similar goods or services originating from the different businesses in the market.

A trademark can be a brand name, word, symbol, logo, wrapper, packaging labels, taglines or a combination of these and are used by the manufacturers or service providers to identify their own products and/or services. A mark is used to distinguish the products or services of the owner from those of its other competitors in the market.

Unlike Patents, Trademark does not have any definite period of limitation. Where any Patent expires in the time period of 20 years a Trademark Registration in India expires after 10 years' time period of its registration. But on the other hand, unlike Patents, a Trademark can be renewed again for another time period of 10 years.

This Trademark Renewal process can be indefinitely done, meaning as long as the trademarks owner keeps renewing a Trademark it will not expire and will also continue to be under the protection of the Trademarks Act, 1999.

Documents required for Trademark Registration

Following are the documents that are necessary for the purpose of Trademark Registration in India-

• The name of the applicant who wants to get Trademark Registration.
• Then the documents related to the type of Business.
• Clarify the objective of business precisely.
• The Brand/logo/slogan name of the business for which you want Trademark Registration.
• Proof of registered address of the business for which you want a trademark.
• The Identity and Business Proofs of the applicant. It can be the Aadhar card, driving license, passport, ration card or voter’s Id, etc.
• The use of a Logo with a Tagline can be anything except the things which are restricted under Trademark Act, 1999.
• Power of Attorney signed by the applicant.

Procedure to get Trademark Registration in India

The procedure of getting Trademark Registration can be divided into two ways which are given below in full detail-

Offline Process

The Trademark Registration is done by the Registry of the Trademarks in India. When a person plan on registering a Trademark there are a few steps that are involved which are as follows-

1. Choosing a Trademark

The applicant should remember to choose a unique and distinctive mark as it will represent the company of the owner. The other important point is to identify which class the mark belongs to. Currently, there are around 45 classes of goods and services under which a trademark can be registered in India. The classes 1-34 are for goods and the classes 35-45 are for services.

Once the owner has chosen his/her mark it is advisable to conduct a Trademark search to check whether the mark chosen by the applicant mark is similar to an already registered Trademark or not. The applicant can either do this Trademark search himself or herself by going to the online website of the Controller General of Designs, Patents, and Trademarks.

On the online website, the applicant can find an option to do a public Trademark search. Once a click is done on this option the applicant is required to choose his/her class and search the online database properly. The other available option is to get legal services, although the applicant will have to pay for it as it is the safest option.
Overall, the legal services will cost lesser in case the trademark is objected against by any person. Not only the legal advisors will do all the required Trademark search but will also help the applicant with the whole process of Trademark Registration.

• Filing of Application

There are two options available with the applicant while filing for an application for Trademark Registration in India. The options are as follows:

File for an application for Trademark under "one" class. This means that the Trademark will be registered only for a specific class that the applicant has chosen. In such a case, the applicant is required to fill in the form TM-1.

The fees payable for the filing of form TM-1 is provided at the time of filing the form at the office of the Trademark Registry. The applicant can also find all the amounts payable for the corresponding forms here.

The other option available for filing application for Trademark Registration is to file for multiple classes or series Trademark, or collective Trademark. For this, the applicant is required to fill in form TM-A. This TM-A form allows the applicant to register the Trademark beyond one specific class.

2. Online

• Trademark Name Search

This is the simplest, short, and best way for any new applicant to get a trendy, catchy, and an interesting brand name or his/her products. Picking up a name for a brand that is quirky and wacky is definitely a very wise move since most of the common names would have already been someone else’s hands.

Moreover, adjusting on a particular name requires a very quick research process to ensure oneself that he/she is not picking a brand name that is already in usage by any other company. The best part here is that the applicant can also invent or coin some new words with a mix of common words to create a unique brand name for himself/herself.

• Preparing a Trademark Application

The applicant is then required to prepare the Trademark application by submitting all the required documents as prescribed by the authorities.

• Filing the Trademark Application

The applicant is required to choose the submit application option on the website after submitting all the required documents. In the case of an e-filing system, the applicant will receive his/her receipt of acknowledgment instantly on the government website. After receiving the acknowledgment, the applicant is eligible to use the Trademark (TM) symbol beside his/her brand name.

• Examination of Application

Once the application for Trademark Registration is submitted, the Registrar will check out whether the applicant have followed the prescribed terms that the brand name complies with the existing law. Moreover, there should not be any kind of conflict or dispute amongst any existing or pending brands names for the registration.

• Publication in Trademark Journal

After the process of examination is completed, the registrar will publish the brand name in the Indian Trademark Journal. This is certainly the most vital part of the process of Trademark Registration in India. There should not be any kind of opposition within the time period of 90 days or 120 days, in some of the cases, from the date of publication, then only the brand name will be proceeding towards the acceptance.

• Issuance of Trademark Registration Certificate

The Registrar of Trademarks will accept the trademark application if there is no opposition being raised by any person or company within the stipulated time period of 90 days. The Registrar will issue the Registration Certificate with the Trademark Registry seal on it to the applicant.

The moment applicant has been issued with the Registration Certificate; he/she can use the symbol of registered trademark (®) beside his/her brand name.

Documents Required for Trademark Registration in India

The documents required for Trademark Registration in India are as follows:

• The name of Applicant;
• The type of Business;
• The objective of Business;
• The Brand/logo/slogan name;
• The proof of Registration address;
• The Identity and Business Proofs of the applicant. It can be the Aadhar card, driving license, passport, ration card or voter’s Id;
• The use of Logo with a Tagline;
• The Form 48.
• The proof of the claim (which is applicable) of the proposed Trademark that it can also be used in any other country.
• Power of Attorney signed by the applicant.

Benefits of Trademark Registration in India

Following are the benefits of Trademark Registration in India-

1. Product Differentiation

In India, Trademark Registration are distinct to the goods or services they represent. A Trademark will enable differentiation of the product as against the products of the other competitors in the market. Also, since Trademark Registration is valid for the entire class of goods or services so represented, it will also help in distinctly identifying the products.

The customers are able to uniquely identify the products carrying different Trademark, thus it will create a customer base for the product of the applicant.

2. Trademark Recognition

A registered Trademark in India is valid for a time period of 10 years from the date of filing of an application for Trademark Registration. However, a atrademark can also be further renewed. In a case where the applicant wants to use his/her trademark outside the territory of India or expand his/her business outside India, thee applicant is required to get an approval or Trademark Registration in the respective countries.

3. Brand Recognition

Customers associate the performance, quality, features, and so on of the product with the company making such products. They identify the products generally by the logo, which would be a registered as a Trademark. Trademark Registration facilitates brand recognition for the goods and services. It also creates the goodwill associated with a brand.

Thus, the brand is recognised as well as it also carries a market value over a period of time. Brand Recognition welcomes new consumers while retaining the old loyal consumers.

4. Legal Protection

Upon Trademark Registration, the Trademarks are classified as intellectual property and are therefore protected from any kind of infringement. Trademark registration in India also confers certain exclusive rights to the use of the trademark in relation to the "Classes" of goods or service it represents. Once the applicant has filed the trademark application, the Symbol "TM" can be used with his/her products.

The symbol “R” can only be put into use only after the applicant has obtained registration of his/her Trademark.

5. Creation of an Asset

Trademark Registration in India creates an asset for any business enterprise. A Trademark is recognised as an intangible asset for the accounting and income tax purposes. Trademarks are a kind of intellectual property and carry a good value associated with the products they represent. Trademarks can be franchised, sold, assigned or commercially exploited in any other manner.

6. Business Valuation and Goodwill

The Trademarks registered and associated with the products enhance the overall business value, goodwill and net worth in the industry. A Trademark communicates the quality assurance, distinct features of the products and the mission of the organisation. Trademarks contribute to the growth of the business. They also help retain the loyal customers and protect the goodwill of associated with the business.

7. Business Expansion

A registered Trademark establishes a connection between the customers and products of an enterprise. With unique or efficient products, the applicant can create a customer base. A Trademark helps in retaining and expanding the customer base. Registration of the Trademark confers an exclusive rights of use for a time period of 10 years and also protects the business revenues.

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In India, Trademarks are classified as Intellectual Property and therefore are given protection from any kind of infringement. Trademarks and the rights associated with them are protected by the Trademark Act, 1999, in India. To get the protection of the trademark rights the owner has to register the trademark with the Trademark Registry. It is very important to register the Trademark because it prevents other people from copying the mark and also misrepresenting other products with the same mark. Trademarks help the consumers to recognize a particular brand and the brand value in one look of its mark. For instance, as the logo of a tick sign for Nike or a jumping wildcat for the brand Puma and many more. In the article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of Trademark Registration in India. In the present era, this particular law is evolving very fast and the evolution of this law at present is needed as well. To secure the business and brand names which are providing goods and services is very needful and trademark helps in providing security to the same. The process of Trademark Registration is very easy once you understand it. Mostly a trademark attorney can help you in getting a trademark.

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