Trademark FAQ

A trademark is a legally protected identifier — name, logo, slogan, or symbol — that distinguishes your goods/services from competitors. Registration grants exclusive rights, prevents others from using similar marks, and gives you the legal standing to take infringers to court. Without it, you have no guaranteed protection over your brand identity.

Word marks (brand names, company names), device marks (logos, graphical designs), combined marks (word + logo), slogans, shape of goods or packaging, and in certain cases, colours and sounds. The mark must be distinctive — capable of distinguishing your goods/services — and must not be purely descriptive or generic.

The ™ symbol indicates a claim to trademark rights and may be used from the moment a trademark application is filed. The ® symbol indicates a registered trademark and may only be used after the official registration certificate is issued. Using ® before registration is a criminal offence under Section 107 of the Trade Marks Act 1999.

Government fee: ₹4,500 per class for individuals, DPIIT-recognized startups, and Udyam-registered MSMEs. ₹9,000 per class for companies, LLPs, and all other entities. Our all-inclusive packages start from ₹4,999 (startup) and ₹11,999 (company) — government fee included.

Yes. Startups with DPIIT recognition and businesses with Udyam (MSME) registration qualify for a 50% concession on government fee — paying ₹4,500 instead of ₹9,000 per class. The relevant certificate must be submitted with the application to avail this benefit.

No. Our pricing is fully transparent and all-inclusive. The only scenario where additional charges arise is if you require services outside your package — such as extra objection replies (beyond what's included) or additional class filings. These are always clearly communicated and agreed upon in advance.

The complete trademark registration process in India takes approximately 18–24 months: Filing (Day 1) → Examination (3–6 months) → Publication in TM Journal → 4-month opposition window → Registration Certificate. Crucially, your brand receives legal protection from the date of filing — not the registration date.

Step 1: Trademark availability search. Step 2: TM-A application filing on IP India portal. Step 3: Application number issued immediately. Step 4: Examination by the Registrar (3–6 months). Step 5: Reply to examination report if objections raised. Step 6: Accepted marks published in the Trade Marks Journal. Step 7: 4-month opposition window. Step 8: Registration certificate issued.

Trademarks are registered within specific classes under the Nice Classification system. There are 45 classes: Classes 1–34 cover goods (physical products), Classes 35–45 cover services. Each application covers one class, and each class requires a separate government fee. Protection is limited to the registered class(es).

Common examples: Class 25 (clothing/fashion), Class 35 (advertising, business services, retail), Class 42 (software, IT), Class 43 (restaurants, food service), Class 9 (electronics, mobile apps), Class 30 (food products), Class 41 (education, coaching). Our attorneys assess your specific business activities and recommend all applicable classes.

Contact us immediately. You have exactly 30 days from the examination report date to file a detailed reply. Objections are not rejections — they are opportunities to argue your case. Our attorneys analyse the grounds and prepare a legally robust reply. Our objection success rate exceeds 95%.

10 years from the original filing date, renewable indefinitely every 10 years. A trademark can theoretically last forever — as long as it is renewed on time and remains in use.

After your trademark application is accepted, it is published in the Trade Marks Journal. Any third party then has 4 months to file an opposition — typically because they believe your mark conflicts with their existing trademark. If no opposition is filed, registration proceeds automatically. We monitor this period and handle any opposition on your behalf.