Trademark Search in India: How to Check and Find Trade Marks Easily and Effectively
Understanding Trademark Search in India
A trademark search involves checking existing registered or pending trademarks in the central database run by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This process helps determine whether your chosen trademark is free to use or if it interferes with any existing mark.
Conducting a trademark search at the beginning of the branding process minimises the risk of legal violation and ensures your trademark identity remains unique and legally protected.
Importance of Doing a Trade Mark Search
Doing a trade mark search before registering is not just wise—it’s essential for protecting your brand. A careful search lets you:
- Prevent selecting already-used marks
- Save money from rejected applications
- Reduce opposition risks
- Maintain exclusivity
- Streamline the registration process
Without adequate checking, your trademark application might be opposed, wasting time and resources.
Steps to Do a Trademark Check in India
The Trade Marks Registry maintains an official portal where anyone can perform a trademark search. To search:
- Visit the Trade Marks Registry website
- Open the public search section
- Type your brand name or logo text
- Choose the correct class
- View results
This tool gives you visibility into both approved marks and pending applications, so you can check availability.
Understanding Trademark Classes
Each trademark falls under a specific class. In India, there are 45 trademark classes—34 for goods and 11 for services. Identifying the proper class ensures your search is accurate.
For example, apparel brands usually fall under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Knowing your class is key to getting precise results.
Different Types of Trademark Checks
When checking for trademark availability, perform both wordmark and phonetic searches. A literal match check looks for same or close spellings. A sound-based check finds names that are pronounced similarly, even if spelled in a different way.
This ensures find trademark you spot trademarks that could lead to confusion, giving you better peace of mind before applying.
Where to Do Trademark Searches
The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks provides a free, official search tool. There are also external platforms that offer extra features like:
- Smart filters
- Expert analysis
- Trademark risk reports
These tools simplify trademark checking for small businesses and give confidence that your trademark is clear to register.
How to Check Logo Trademarks
If your brand identity uses a logo, you must perform a device mark search. Searching logos is more complex than wordmark searches, but the government system supports image-based filters and keyword tagging.
This ensures your design or icon doesn’t conflict with another registered design, avoiding legal issues.
Why Hire a Trademark Consultant?
While anyone can search, a legal expert brings depth to the process. Professionals:
- Know trademark law deeply
- Spot potential conflicts
- Suggest alternatives
- Support filing and follow-up
For serious businesses, professional support adds accuracy and legal confidence.
From Search to Registration: Next Steps
Once your search confirms the mark is available, you can file your trademark. This includes:
- Preparing documents
- Selecting classes
- Submitting payments
The process then enters examination, publication, and if no objections arise, your mark is officially registered.
Conclusion
An early trademark search in India is the most important step in protecting your brand. It ensures your name, logo or slogan are free to use, protected by law, and ready for registration.
With simple search platforms and expert help, the process is now accessible. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation.