Trademark Search in India: How to Check and Find Trade Marks Easily and Effectively
Trademark Search Basics – What You Need to Know
A trademark search involves checking existing registered or pending trademarks in the government-maintained database hosted by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This process helps determine whether your chosen trademark is available or if it conflicts with any existing mark.
Performing a trademark search early in the branding process minimises the risk of legal violation and ensures your trademark identity remains unique and legally secured.
Why Checking Trade Marks Before Filing Matters
Doing a trade mark search prior to filing is not just smart—it’s essential for protecting your brand. A careful search lets you:
- Prevent selecting already-used marks
- Reduce costs from rejected applications
- Prevent future disputes
- Ensure your brand is unique
- Streamline the registration process
Without proper checking, your trademark application might be rejected, wasting time and resources.
How to Check a Trade Mark in India?
The Trade Marks Registry provides an official portal where anyone can perform a trademark search. To search:
- Access the Trade Marks Registry website
- Open the public search section
- Type your brand name or logo text
- Choose the correct class
- Check for matches
This platform gives you visibility into both registered trademarks and pending applications, so you know where your brand stands.
What Are Trademark Classes?
Each trademark is grouped into a specific class. In India, there are 45 trademark classes—34 for goods and 11 for services. Selecting the right class ensures your search is accurate.
For example, apparel brands usually search under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting relevant results.
Phonetic and Wordmark Searches
When checking for trademark availability, perform both wordmark and phonetic searches. A literal match check looks for same or close spellings. A phonetic search finds names that sound alike, even if spelled differently.
This ensures you spot trademark search trademarks that could lead to confusion, giving you better security before applying.
Tools for Trademark Search in India
The CGPDTM provides a free, government search tool. There are also third-party platforms that offer extra features like:
- Smart filters
- Legal guidance
- Detailed reports
These tools simplify trademark checking for small businesses and help ensure your trademark is ready to file.
Trademark Search for Logo and Device Marks
If your brand identity uses a logo, you’ll need to 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 symbol or logo doesn’t conflict with another registered design, keeping your brand safe.
Professional Assistance for Trademark Search
While anyone can search, a legal expert brings clarity to the process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Identify hidden risks
- Suggest alternatives
- Handle the registration process
For serious businesses, professional support adds strategy and peace of mind.
After You Search: What’s Next?
Once your search confirms the mark is available, you can file your trademark. This includes:
- Preparing documents
- Choosing categories
- Submitting payments
The process then enters review, journal listing, and if no objections arise, your mark is granted.
Conclusion
A thorough trademark search in India is the first step in securing your identity. It ensures your brand assets are free to use, legally safe, and ready for registration.
With simple search platforms and expert help, the process is now accessible. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand starts with a strong foundation.