Trademark Search in India: How to Check and Find Trade Marks Easily and Effectively
What is a Trademark Search?
A trademark search means reviewing existing applied or approved trademarks in the official database run by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This procedure helps verify whether your proposed trademark is available or if it interferes with any existing mark.
Performing a trademark search before the branding process minimises the risk of infringement and ensures your brand identity remains unique and legally secured.
Why is Trade Mark Search Important?
Doing a trade mark search before registering is not just smart—it’s critical for ensuring success. A thorough search lets you:
- Avoid choosing already-used marks
- Save money from rejected applications
- Prevent future disputes
- Preserve distinctiveness
- Streamline the registration process
Without careful checking, your trademark application might be opposed, wasting time and resources.
Where and How to Search for Trade Marks in India
The Trade Marks Registry maintains an official platform where anyone can run a trademark search. To search:
- Access the Trade Marks Registry website
- Navigate to the public search section
- Type your brand name or logo text
- Select the correct class
- Browse the list
This platform gives you visibility into both approved marks and filed requests, so you can check availability.
Why Trademark Classification Matters
Each trademark falls under 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, a clothing label usually search under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting relevant results.
Why You Should Do Both Phonetic and Wordmark Searches
When checking for trademark availability, perform both wordmark and phonetic searches. A wordmark search looks for identical or similar spellings. A sound-based check finds names that are pronounced similarly, even if spelled differently.
This helps you catch trademarks that could lead to confusion, giving you better security before applying.
Where to Do Trademark Searches
The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks provides a free, government search tool. There are also third-party platforms that offer advanced features like:
- Search filters
- Legal guidance
- Trademark risk reports
These tools make the process easier for small businesses and help ensure your trademark is clear to register.
Searching for Non-Text Trade Marks
If your brand identity uses a logo, you’ll need to perform a visual mark check. Searching public search of trade marks 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 match another registered design, avoiding legal issues.
The Value of Expert Guidance for Trade Mark Searches
While anyone can search, a legal expert brings experience to the process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Identify hidden risks
- Recommend changes
- Handle the registration process
For serious businesses, professional support adds strategy and legal confidence.
Post-Search Steps: Filing Your Trademark
Once your search confirms the mark is clear, you can file your trademark. This includes:
- Preparing documents
- Selecting classes
- Paying government fees
The process then enters review, publication, and if no objections arise, your mark is officially registered.
Conclusion
A thorough trademark search in India is the first step in securing your identity. It ensures your brand assets are unique, protected by law, and fit for filing.
With easy-to-use tools and expert help, the process is now accessible. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand starts with a strong foundation.