To register a trademark, first, select a name and check its originality using an online trademark search tool. Once the application is finished, send it to the Trademark Registrar together with all necessary paperwork and the requisite filing fee.
A trademark may assist a brand to protect its names, concepts, reputation, etc. If a third party uses your trademark without your permission, you can sue them.
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Overview of Trademark Registration in India
A brand is a distinctive identity that distinguishes your business, product, or service from the competition. The intellectual property or intangible asset of your business is a trademark. It safeguards the investment made in fostering a sense of loyalty and trust among its clients. By registering your trademark, you are granted the legal ability to sue anybody who attempts to use a similar brand without your permission.
Both service marks and trademarks can be referred to as brands. A service mark is used for services, whereas a trademark is used for commodities.
A Trademark depicts:
- Reveals the country of origin of your goods or services.
- Provides your trademark with legal protection.
- Safeguards you against fraud and counterfeiting.
The idea that you legally own a term or phrase and may forbid others from using it is a frequent misunderstanding. However, only when it is used in conjunction with your particular product or service do you have any rights to the term or phrase in general. Imagine that your little woodworking company uses a logo to distinguish and set itself apart from its competitors’ products or services. This does not imply that you may forbid others from using a similar brand for goods or services unrelated to the woodworking industry. Another prevalent fallacy is the idea that picking a trademark that only summarizes your good or service would be successful. Brands that are inventive and distinctive are more powerful and simpler to defend.
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Having A Trademark vs Having One That Is Registered
As soon as you begin utilizing your trademark with your goods or services, you are considered a trademark owner. By using your mark, you acquire rights in it, but such rights are constrained and only apply to the region in which you sell your goods or services. You must register your trademark with us if you want stronger national rights.
Your trademark does not need to be registered. However, compared to an unregistered trademark, a registered one gives more rights and protections. She uses a logo, for instance, to brand the handcrafted jewelry she offers for sale at a nearby farmer’s market. As your internet business develops and evolves, you can decide that your trademark needs further protection and submit an application for federal registration.
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Using The TM, SM, AND ® Trademark Symbols
You may pair a symbol with your mark each time you use it. The mark serves as a visual cue to customers and rivals that you own the brand. Even if you haven’t applied to register your trademark, you are still permitted to use “TM” for goods and “SM” for services.
Use a ® after the trademark once you’ve registered it with us. Although the registration sign can be used anywhere around the mark, most trademark owners use it as a superscript or subscript to the mark’s right. Only goods or services that have been registered in the Federal Trademark Register are permitted to use the trademark registration symbol.
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Trademark Registration
There are several facets of your brand’s image that might be trademarked. Which component of your brand sticks out to your clients is the factor you need to take into account. Select the relevant aspect(s) to register.
- Product Name: The name of a certain product can be registered as a trademark. The iPod is a trademarked product name of Apple.
- Company Name: The most popular course of action for firms is to register their company names as trademarks. as in Bajaj.
- Name/Surname of the Person: If your name is crucial to bringing in money, you may even trademark it! Ex: Shah Rukh Khan has registered his name as a trademark.
- Abbreviations: A trademark can also include an abbreviation of a company or brand name. Ex: BMW.
- Symbols/Logos: It is very advised to trademark your logo because it serves as a physical representation of your business. A logo is easier for your consumers to remember than a name. The Nike “swoosh” is a fantastic illustration of a logo trademark.
- You may also register your brand’s slogan as a trademark if you have one. A tagline explains to your target audience what your company stands for. Take KFC’s “It’s finger-lickin’ delicious” as an illustration.
- Alternatives: A color mark allows you to protect a single color or a group of colors. (For instance, Royal Blue has been trademarked by Cadbury.)
- Sound Mark: If we can demonstrate that a musical note or sound is distinctive, we can register it as a trademark. Nokia registered its song as a trademark.
- Scent Mark: Scents can be registered as trademarks.
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Importance of Trademark
For a firm, trademark registration is crucial and required because:
- It displays your distinctive personality.
- It aids in fostering your consumers’ loyalty and trust.
- It provides the identity of your brand with legal protection.
- It safeguards against the unlawful use of your brand’s identity, making it valuable in and of itself.
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Classifications of Trademarks
All goods and services are categorized into one of the 45 trademark classifications. When selecting the classes, you should exercise extreme caution since they affect whether your trademark is legal for the goods and services offered by your business. Make sure to register the mark in all appropriate classes if your business offers a variety of goods and services that fall under various classifications.
In India, a few of the most prominent brand categories are:
- Class 9: which comprises electronics and software for computers,
- Clothing is included in Class 25, and business management and advertising are included in
- Class 35, while education and entertainment are included in Class 41.
The competition for a trademark may be greater if you are in one of these trademark classifications. That shouldn’t matter, though, as long as your mark is distinctive.
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Documents Needed To Register A Trademark
- Candidate’s name
- Type of business
- Goals for the business
- Brand name, logo, or slogan
- Registration information
The necessary paperwork is:
- form 48 was signed
- Proof of the signatory’s address and proof of identification
- Business evidence (depends on the type of business)
- MSME registration certificate and Udyog Aadhar (optional)
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Conclusion
It serves no use to hold out for a trademark. No need to worry if you are unfamiliar with the process; Induce India will follow you. Induce India adopts a goal-oriented strategy to fulfill the demands of the company in terms of branding. A straightforward and futuristic approach aids the business in obtaining the license swiftly and affordably. For approval, Induce India offers comprehensive guidance, support, and immigration compliance.
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