Your brand name, logo and tagline are among the most valuable things your business owns. Yet thousands of Indian startups, D2C brands and local businesses lose them every year because someone else registered the name first. Trademark registration gives you the exclusive legal right to use your brand across India. In this guide, PUCHO Business Consult walks you through the process, government fees, documents and timeline.
What is a trademark?
A trademark is any mark that identifies your goods or services — a brand name, logo, tagline, label, shape, sound or even a colour combination. Trademarks in India are governed by the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and registered by the Trade Marks Registry (Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks) through an online filing portal.
Why register your trademark?
- Exclusive right to use the brand for your goods or services across India
- Legal protection — you can take action against copycats and fake sellers
- Required for brand registry on Amazon, Flipkart and other marketplaces
- Builds trust with customers, distributors and investors
- A trademark is an asset — it can be sold, licensed or franchised
- Valid for 10 years and renewable forever
™ vs ® — what’s the difference?
| Symbol | Meaning | When you can use it |
|---|---|---|
| ™ | Trademark applied for / claimed | As soon as your application is filed |
| ® | Registered trademark | Only after the registration certificate is issued |
Trademark classes
Goods and services are divided into 45 classes (Classes 1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services). You must file in every class that matches your business. For example: clothing is Class 25, cosmetics Class 3, software Class 9 and 42, restaurants Class 43, and business consultancy or online retail Class 35. Choosing the wrong class is one of the most common reasons brands remain unprotected.
Government fees for trademark registration
| Applicant type | Govt fee per class (e-filing, Form TM-A) |
|---|---|
| Individual, sole proprietor, registered Startup, MSME (Udyam) | ₹4,500 |
| Others (Pvt Ltd, LLP, partnership firm without MSME etc.) | ₹9,000 |
Professional fees are extra. Tip: if your company or firm has Udyam (MSME) registration, you pay the lower ₹4,500 fee — we can get that done for you too.
Documents required
- Brand name and logo (JPG) — if applying for a logo
- Applicant’s PAN and Aadhaar (individuals) or Certificate of Incorporation / partnership deed
- Udyam or Startup India certificate (to claim the lower fee)
- Address proof
- Date from which you have been using the brand (user affidavit if claiming prior use)
- Signed Power of Attorney (Form TM-48) in favour of the filing professional
Trademark registration process — step by step
- Trademark search: check the registry database for identical or similar marks in your class.
- Filing (Form TM-A): file online with the class and description of goods/services. You get an application number immediately and can start using ™.
- Examination: the examiner reviews the application and may issue an examination report with objections.
- Reply to objections: a reply must be filed within 30 days; a hearing may be scheduled if needed.
- Publication: once accepted, the mark is published in the Trade Marks Journal.
- Opposition period: third parties get 4 months to oppose.
- Registration: if there is no opposition, the registration certificate is issued and you can use ®.
How long does it take?
Filing takes 1–2 working days and gives you immediate ™ protection. If there are no objections or oppositions, registration is usually completed in around 8–18 months. Objections or oppositions can extend the timeline, which is why a thorough search and correct class selection matter so much.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a generic or descriptive name (e.g. “Best Tax Services”) that is hard to register
- Skipping the trademark search
- Filing in the wrong class or only one class when you need several
- Missing the 30-day deadline to reply to an examination report
- Forgetting to renew after 10 years
Trademark registration with PUCHO Business Consult
- Free preliminary trademark search and class advice
- TM-A filing for name, logo or tagline
- Replies to examination reports and hearing support
- Udyam (MSME) registration to save 50% on government fees
- Renewal and status tracking
Also read: How to Register a Private Limited Company in India · GST Registration in India
Protect your brand name before someone else does
PUCHO Business Consult handles the trademark search, class selection, TM-A filing and objection replies — so you can use the ™ symbol from day one.
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This article is for general information only. Rules, rates and fees can change — please speak to our team before you file.