How to Register Your Trademark
At a glance
Cost
Rs 4,500 - Rs 9,000
Timeline
12-18 months
Difficulty
Medium
A trademark protects your brand name, logo, tagline, or any distinctive mark that identifies your business. Once registered, you get the exclusive right to use that mark across India and can take legal action against anyone who copies it. The process takes 12 to 18 months, but you can start using the TM symbol as soon as you file your application.
TM vs R: Know the Difference
Use ™ as soon as you file. The ®symbol is only legal after official registration. Using ® prematurely is an offence under the Trade Marks Act.
Why Register Your Trademark?
Key takeaway
Legal protection
Brand value
Required for e-commerce
Asset value
Valid for 10 years
What are trademark classes and which one do you need?
Trademarks are registered under specific Nice Classification classes (1 to 45). You need to pick the class that matches your product or service. For example:
- Class 25: Clothing, footwear, headgear
- Class 29: Processed food (pickles, dairy, meat)
- Class 30: Staple food (flour, spices, tea, coffee, bakery)
- Class 35: Advertising, retail, business management
- Class 42: Software, IT services, web design
- Class 43: Restaurants, catering, hotel services
You can register in multiple classes, but each class requires a separate fee.
Government Fees
Rs 4,500
per class (e-filing)
Individuals, startups, and Udyam-registered small enterprises
Rs 9,000
per class (e-filing)
Companies, LLPs, and large enterprises
Physical filing costs more (Rs 5,000 / Rs 10,000). E-filing on the IP India portal is the recommended route.
MSME Benefit
If you have a valid Udyam (MSME) registration, you pay the lower fee of Rs 4,500 per class. This is one more reason to get your MSME registration done first.
Documents You Will Need
Trademark Application Checklist
- Clear image of your trademark (logo, wordmark, or combination) in JPEG format
- Name and address of the applicant (individual or business entity)
- Identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, or PAN)
- Business registration proof (incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or Udyam)
- Description of goods or services you want to protect
- Udyam certificate (if claiming the lower MSME fee)
- Power of Attorney (if filing through a trademark agent)
- User affidavit if you have been using the mark before filing (optional but helpful)
How do you apply for a trademark in India?
- 1
Search for existing trademarks
Before filing, search the IP India public search for conflicting marks in your class before you pay filing fees.
- 2
Create an account on the IP India portal
Register on ipindia.gov.in with a valid email and mobile number.
- 3
Fill the TM-A application form
Use Form TM-A: enter mark, applicant, class of goods/services, and upload the trademark image.
- 4
Pay the fee and submit
Pay Rs 4,500 (MSME/individual) or Rs 9,000 (others) per class online; save your application number and acknowledgment.
- 5
Track your application
Examination usually takes 1–3 months; if accepted, publication in the Trademark Journal runs 4 months for opposition, then a certificate issues if unopposed.
Timeline Overview
- Filing to examination: 1-3 months
- Examination report: may raise objections
- Publication in Journal: 4 months (opposition window)
- Registration certificate: issued after opposition window
- Total: typically 12-18 months from filing
Respond to Objections Promptly
If the examiner raises objections, you have 30 days to respond. Missing this deadline can lead to your application being abandoned. Consider hiring a trademark attorney if you receive complex objections.
Official Resources
- IP India (Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks)
- Trademark Public Search (check if a similar mark exists)
Frequently Asked Questions
Government schemes you may qualify for
Based on this guide, these schemes could benefit your business.
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