RSR LEGAL VENTURES - TRADEMARK SEARCH ONLINE IN INDIA
Trademark Search Procedure in India – A Complete Guide
A trademark is a visual symbol—words, logos, shapes, or combinations—that distinguishes the goods or services of one business from another. Before applying for trademark registration in India, conducting a thorough trademark search is essential to avoid conflicts with existing marks and reduce the risk of objections, opposition, or infringement claims.
Why Conduct a Trademark Search?
Trademark search ensures that:
- The proposed mark is unique and distinctive.
- It does not conflict with existing registered or pending trademarks.
- You avoid potential legal disputes and rebranding costs.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Trademark Search
Access the Official Portal The trademark search is conducted through the official website of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks.
Visit: ipindia website
Select the Search Type The portal offers three types of searches:
- Wordmark Search: For text-based marks (most commonly used).
- Phonetic Search: Identifies marks that sound similar, even if spelled differently.
- Vienna Code Search: Used for logo or image-based marks; requires Vienna Classification codes.
Input Search Criteria
- Enter the proposed trademark name.
- Select the relevant class of goods/services (India uses 45 classes based on the NICE classification).
- Use filters like:
- “Starts With”
- “Contains”
- “Match With” (exact match)
Analyze the Results The search results will display:
- Existing trademarks with similar or identical names.
- Application number, owner name, and status (e.g., registered, refused, objected, abandoned).
- Details of conflicting marks and their legal standing.
Refine Your Search Trademark names with multiple words or stylized formats should be searched using:- Individual components.
- Common phonetic spellings.
- Synonyms or abbreviations.
