A registered trademark is the single most valuable intellectual-property asset for any Indian business — protecting brand names, logos, taglines, slogans, packaging, sounds, colours, and shapes from unauthorised use, counterfeiting, and copycat competition. Under the Trade Marks Act 1999 read with the Trade Marks Rules 2017, every business — from D2C startups and e-commerce sellers to MSMEs, listed companies, MNCs, and family-owned enterprises — can secure exclusive nationwide rights over its brand identity by filing a trademark application with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM). A registered ® mark provides a 10-year monopoly (renewable indefinitely), the right to sue for infringement, statutory damages, criminal action under Sec 103 / 104, and a powerful ground for take-down on Amazon, Flipkart, Meta, Google, and other digital platforms.
Our trademark registration services help founders, startups, brands, agencies, and law-firm partners file, prosecute, and defend trademarks end-to-end — covering trademark search on the IP India public database, Nice classification mapping (45 classes), Form TM-A e-filing, examination report response, show-cause hearing, journal publication, opposition / counter-statement filing, registration certificate, 10-year renewal, assignment / licensing, Madrid Protocol international filings, well-known trademark recognition, customs IPR recordal, e-commerce brand registry (Amazon Brand Registry, Flipkart, Meesho), and infringement / passing-off litigation. Whether you are launching your first brand, expanding to international markets, defending against a confusingly similar mark, or building a multi-class brand portfolio for an IPO, our team brings deep expertise in IP India filings, Madrid Protocol, opposition practice, and brand-protection strategy.
10 Years
Initial Registration Validity
45 Classes
Nice Classification
₹4,500
Govt Fee (Individual / Startup / MSME)
Form TM-A
Online Application
Laws & Frameworks We Work Under
Trade Marks Act 1999
Trade Marks Rules 2017
Sec 9 – Absolute Grounds
Sec 11 – Relative Grounds
Sec 18 – Application
Sec 21 – Opposition
Sec 25 – Renewal
Sec 29 – Infringement
Sec 134 – Suit Forum
Madrid Protocol
Form TM-A / TM-O
Form TM-R – Renewal
Customs IPR Rules 2007
FAQs on Trademark Registration in India
What is the trademark registration process and how long does it take?
The trademark registration process under the Trade Marks Act 1999 involves: (1) Search on the IP India public database; (2) Filing Form TM-A on the IP India e-filing portal in the relevant Nice class; (3) Examination by the Trade Marks Registry on absolute (Sec 9) and relative (Sec 11) grounds — typically within 30 days; (4) Examination Report Response within 30 days; (5) Show-Cause Hearing if required; (6) Journal Publication for 4-month opposition window under Sec 21; (7) Registration Certificate if no opposition or after opposition is decided. End-to-end timeline ranges from 12 to 24 months depending on objections and oppositions; the ™ symbol can be used from filing.
Why is a trademark search important before filing?
A pre-filing trademark search on the IP India public database identifies identical or deceptively similar registered or pending marks in the same class — which would otherwise lead to Section 11 relative-grounds refusal, opposition, or even infringement claims after launch. A good search also covers: domain availability, social-media handle availability, common-law use (Google / market scan), and similar marks in adjacent classes. Skipping the search and filing directly often results in wasted government fees, delayed brand launches, mandatory re-branding, or worse — receiving a cease & desist notice after marketing investment is already sunk.
What is Nice Classification and how do I choose the right class?
The Nice Classification is the international system that groups goods and services into 45 classes — Classes 1 to 34 cover goods (chemicals, cosmetics, food, apparel, electronics, etc.) and Classes 35 to 45 cover services (advertising, financial services, telecom, education, IT services, legal services, etc.). The right class depends on the actual business activity — a SaaS platform typically files in Class 9 (software) and Class 42 (SaaS / IT services); an apparel D2C brand files in Class 25 (clothing) and often Class 35 (retail / e-commerce). Multi-class strategy protects the brand across current activities and anticipated extensions, and is essential for franchise / licensing-ready brands.
What is the cost of trademark registration in India?
The official government fee for filing Form TM-A under the Trade Marks Rules 2017 is: ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups (DPIIT-recognised), and small enterprises (MSMEs), and ₹9,000 per class for other applicants (companies, partnerships not covered above) — when filed online. Physical filing fees are higher. To this, the applicant adds professional fees for search, drafting, filing, and examination response. Additional costs may arise for show-cause hearings, opposition defence, or rectification proceedings. Madrid Protocol international filings have separate fees per designated country, usually paid in Swiss francs to WIPO.
What happens if someone files an opposition against my trademark?
After the trademark is advertised in the Trade Marks Journal, any third party can file a Notice of Opposition (Form TM-O) within 4 months under Section 21. The applicant must file a counter-statement within 2 months of receiving the opposition copy — failing which the application is deemed abandoned. Both parties then file evidence (Rules 45 / 46 / 47), the Registrar holds a hearing, and passes an order. Common opposition grounds include similarity to an earlier mark, lack of distinctiveness, prior user claim, and bad-faith filing. A robust counter-statement with evidence of use, distinctiveness, and class-non-overlap is critical to defending the application.
How long is a registered trademark valid and how is it renewed?
A registered trademark in India is valid for 10 years from the date of filing, and can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year cycles by filing Form TM-R under Section 25. The renewal application should be filed within 6 months prior to expiry; if missed, it can still be filed within 6 months after expiry with a surcharge. If renewal is not done, the mark gets removed from the register after a notice period — though restoration is possible within 1 year of removal. Maintaining renewal calendars is essential because lapse of renewal can lead to loss of the mark and competitor encroachment.
Can I register my trademark internationally through India?
Yes — India is a member of the Madrid Protocol administered by WIPO since 2013. An Indian applicant with a base Indian application or registration can file a single international application (Form MM-2) through the Indian Trade Marks Registry as the office of origin, designating any of the 100+ Madrid member countries — including the US, UK, EU, China, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Australia, and most of South-East Asia. This is significantly more cost-efficient than filing national applications in each country and provides a single date of priority. Each designated country still examines the mark under its own law; objections / oppositions are handled through national-phase responses.
Protected Brand. Exclusive Rights. Defensible IP Asset.
Partner with our trademark specialists for end-to-end brand protection — TM search, Form TM-A filing, examination response, opposition defence, Madrid Protocol filings, customs IPR recordal, and 10-year renewal management for FY 2026–27.
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