TRADEMARK REGISTRATION

In simple words, trademarks are special unique signs that are used to identify goods or services from a certain company. They can be designs, pictures, signs or even expressions. It is important because it differentiates your products from the competitions. It can be associated with your brand or product. Trademarks are classified as intellectual property and therefore is protected from infringement. Trademarks and its rights are protected by the Trademark Act, 1999

To get the protection of trademark rights one has to register the trademark. It is important to register your trademark because it prevents others from copying your mark and misrepresenting other products with your mark. Trademarks help the customers to recognise the brand and the brand value in one look such as the logo of a tick sign for Nike or a jumping wildcat for Puma etc.

Unlike patents, trademark does not have a definite limitation period. Where a patent expires in 20 years a trademark registration expires after 10 years of its registration, but unlike patents, a trademark can be renewed again for another 10 years. This process can be indefinitely done, meaning as long as you keep renewing the trademark it will not expire and will continue to be under the protection of the Act.

What can you Trademark? Who can all apply for Trademark?

According to the trademark rules of India, items like sound, logo, words, phrases, colours, images, symbols, initials or a combination of all these can be trademarked. All of these should be made use to make your business stand out from the rest.

A trademark application can be done by private firms, individuals, companies, LLP’s, or NGO’s. In the case of NGOs, LLP’s or companies, the trademark has to be applied for registration in the name of the concerned business.

DETAILED PROCESS

Trademark Search
We help in your trademark search by conducting the search using trademark(™) director. We also conduct a detailed check on the trademark logo and brand name that you had selected to ensure that it is not yet registered under anybody else’s name. The trademark can be registered once it is found to be unique. In case your logo or brand name is already registered by someone else, we help you find ways to modify it so that your registration does not get cancelled.

Class Selection
While applying for registration, you need to apply it under the right classification of classes. We help you choose the right class under which you need to register. The trademark offers you the right to sell under a particular brand name within a certain sector in the economy. In total, there are about 45 sectors and each sector is named as a class. Goods and services are classified into 45 different classes by the Trademark Registry. Every logo or brand name has to be registered under the appropriate class. For example, the Class 28 includes products and services related to games, sports and toys. Hence, if you are planning to launch a new toy brand, you will have to apply under the Class 28.

Preparing The Application
After we ensure that your brand name or logo is unique and can be registered, we proceed with the application by preparing the authorization letter first. This gives us the right to make the trademark registration on your behalf. You can sign the letter and return it back to us. We further help you fill out the form and keep updating you about the proceedings until the registration process is complete.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR TRADEMARK SEARCH
An authorization letter that is duly signed by you allows us to file for trademark registration on behalf of you. After receiving the authorization letter, we start with the preparation of your documents, file the application online and also pay for it. Soon, you receive the confirmation of the application, and you will get the right to use the ™ symbol.

While filing for the trademark registration, the documents you need to provide are as follows:

Applicant’s name
Business type
Business objectives
Brand/logo/slogan name
Registration address

Identity And Business Proofs
The trademark owner or the person who is authorized by the trademark owner needs to submit their identity proof. It can be your Aadhar card, driving license, passport, ration card or voter’s id.

Using Logo With Tagline
If a trademark application is made for a tagline with only words there is no need of a logo. In cases where a logo is used, then it should be submitted in black and white format. The number of words in the logo should exactly be the same as mentioned in the application for a trademark.

TRADEMARK SYMBOLS AND THEIR USAGES

R Symbol
Once a trademark is registered, then the applicant can start using the ® symbol to signify that the trademark is registered and protected from infringement under the Trademark laws.

™ Symbol
The ™ symbol is for unregistered trademarks for which the application has been filed. The TM symbol is thus used to indicate that a trademark application exists with respect to the trademark.

SM Symbol
The ‘SM’ or Service Mark symbol is used for the service industry, specifically for service mark applications The SM symbol is used for applications that are filed under class 35-45.