Quick take
Trademark registration protects your brand name, logo, and tagline from being copied. File online at ipindia.gov.in. Timeline: 6–12 months for full registration. MSME-registered businesses get 50% off government filing fees. Once registered, a trademark is valid for 10 years and renewable forever. OpenBiz connects you with trademark attorneys who handle the entire filing.
Your brand name is your most valuable asset. Without a registered trademark, anyone can copy your name, logo, or slogan — and you’ll have limited legal recourse. Trademark registration gives you exclusive rights to use your brand identity and the legal power to stop infringers.
What can you trademark?
✅ Brand names and wordmarks • ✅ Logos and device marks • ✅ Taglines and slogans • ✅ Sound marks • ✅ Shape marks (3D) • ✅ Colour combinations (in specific contexts)
The registration process
Step 1 — Trademark search
Search the TM Public Search portal to check if your proposed mark is already registered or applied for. This prevents wasted filing fees. OpenBiz’s IP experts do a comprehensive search before filing.
Step 2 — File TM-A application
File online at ipindia.gov.in. Select the correct class (Nice Classification — 45 classes), provide applicant details, upload the mark, and pay the fee. MSME-registered businesses get 50% off the filing fee.
Steps 3-5 — Examination, Publication, Registration
Examiner reviews (2–4 months), replies to objections if any, publication in Trademark Journal (4 months opposition window), then final registration certificate. Total: 6–12 months. Valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely.
Pro tip: Get MSME registration before filing your trademark to get the 50% fee discount. Both can be done through OpenBiz.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use ™ before registration?
Yes. ™ can be used immediately (shows you claim the mark). ® can only be used after registration is complete.
Should I trademark before or after launching?
File as early as possible — ideally before launch. India follows a first-to-file system, so whoever files first gets priority. Don’t risk someone else registering your brand name.
Protect your brand with OpenBiz
Wrong class selection is the #1 reason trademark applications face objections. OpenBiz’s IP experts handle the search, class selection, application filing, and objection replies — so your mark gets registered smoothly.
Regional language keywords
🇮🇳 Hindi: ट्रेडमार्क रजिस्ट्रेशन कैसे करें | ब्रांड नाम रजिस्टर करना | ट्रेडमार्क फीस | लोगो रजिस्ट्रेशन
🇮🇳 Tamil: வர்த்தக அடையாளம் பதிவு | பிராண்ட் பெயர் பதிவு
🇮🇳 Telugu: ట్రేడ్మార్క్ రిజిస్ట్రేషన్ ఎలా చేయాలి | బ్రాండ్ రిజిస్ట్రేషన్
🇮🇳 Marathi: ट्रेडमार्क नोंदणी कशी करावी | ब्रांड नाव नोंदणी
🇮🇳 Bengali: ট্রেডমার্ক নিবন্ধন কীভাবে করবেন | ব্র্যান্ড নাম নিবন্ধন
Last updated: March 2026. Based on Trade Marks Act 1999 and IP India portal guidelines.
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