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 registered or pending trademarks in the official database run by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This procedure helps determine whether your desired trademark is free to use or if it conflicts with any existing mark.
Conducting a trademark search before the branding process minimises the risk of infringement and ensures your trademark identity remains distinctive and legally secured.
Why Checking Trade Marks Before Filing Matters
Doing a trade mark search prior to filing is not just smart—it’s critical for protecting your brand. A careful search lets you:
- Prevent selecting already-used marks
- Save money from rejected applications
- Avoid legal fights
- Preserve distinctiveness
- Simplify the registration process
Without proper checking, your trademark application might be rejected, wasting time and resources.
Where and How to Search for Trade Marks in India
The Trade Marks Registry provides an official website where anyone can perform a trademark search. To search:
- Go to the Trade Marks Registry website
- Open the public search section
- Enter your keyword
- Choose the correct class
- View results
This tool gives you visibility into both approved marks and filed requests, so you can check availability.
Why Trademark Classification Matters
Each trademark belongs to 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 focused.
For example, a clothing label usually fall 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 phonetic search finds names that are pronounced similarly, even if spelled in a different way.
This helps you check trade mark catch trademarks that could pose legal issues, giving you better peace of mind before applying.
Tools for Trademark Search in India
The Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks provides a free, official search tool. There are also private platforms that offer advanced features like:
- Search filters
- Legal guidance
- Trademark risk reports
These tools make the process easier for new brands and help ensure your trademark is clear to register.
How to Check Logo Trademarks
If your trademark includes a logo, you’ll need to perform a visual mark check. Searching logos is more complex than wordmark searches, but the government system supports visual filters and keyword tagging.
This ensures your symbol or logo doesn’t match another registered design, keeping your brand safe.
Why Hire a Trademark Consultant?
While anyone can search, a legal expert brings experience to the process. Professionals:
- Understand classification systems
- Identify hidden risks
- Recommend changes
- Support filing and follow-up
For serious businesses, professional support adds accuracy and peace of mind.
Post-Search Steps: Filing Your Trademark
Once your search confirms the mark is clear, you can start the application process. This includes:
- Filling forms
- Selecting classes
- Paying government fees
The process then enters review, journal listing, and if no objections arise, your mark is granted.
Final Thoughts on Trademark Search
An early trademark search in India is the most important step in protecting your brand. 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 needs a strong foundation.