Trademark Search in India: How to Check and Find Trade Marks Easily and Effectively
What is a Trademark Search?
A trademark search involves checking existing applied or approved trademarks in the official database maintained by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This procedure helps verify whether your desired trademark is available or if it conflicts with any existing mark.
Performing a trademark search before the branding process reduces the risk of legal violation and ensures your brand identity remains unique and legally protected.
Why is Trade Mark Search Important?
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
- Reduce costs from rejected applications
- Reduce opposition risks
- Preserve distinctiveness
- Simplify 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 maintains an official portal where anyone can perform a trademark search. To search:
- Access the Trade Marks Registry website
- Navigate to the public search section
- Enter your keyword
- Choose the correct class
- View results
This tool gives you visibility into both registered trademarks 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, apparel brands usually search under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting precise results.
Different Types of Trademark Checks
When checking for trademark availability, run 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 helps you catch trademarks that could check trade mark lead to confusion, giving you better security before applying.
Resources and Platforms for Trade Mark Checks
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
- Expert analysis
- Trademark risk reports
These tools make the process easier for startups and give confidence that your trademark is ready to file.
Trademark Search for Logo and Device Marks
If your brand identity uses a logo, you must 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 design or icon doesn’t infringe on another registered design, avoiding legal issues.
The Value of Expert Guidance for Trade Mark Searches
While individuals can check trademarks, a trademark attorney brings clarity to the process. Professionals:
- Know trademark law deeply
- 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 file your trademark. This includes:
- Filling forms
- Choosing categories
- Paying government fees
The process then enters review, journal listing, and if no objections arise, your mark is granted.
Conclusion
An early trademark search in India is the most important step in protecting your brand. It ensures your brand assets are unique, protected by law, and ready for registration.
With simple search platforms and expert help, anyone can conduct a trademark search. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand starts with a strong foundation.