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Trademark Public Search in India
Learn how to use the Trademark Public Search tool in India step-by-step.
Avoid rejection, protect your brand, and file with confidence. Expert guide by SetupFiling.in
What Is Trademark Public Search in India?
Before you invest in logos, packaging, marketing campaigns, or a brand identity — you need to answer one critical question: Is your brand name already taken?
That’s exactly what Trademark Public Search in India is designed for.
Trademark Public Search is a free online tool provided by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It allows entrepreneurs, businesses, legal professionals, and brand owners to search the official trademark registry and find out whether a mark — word, logo, phrase, or symbol — is already registered or applied for by someone else.
Skipping this step is one of the most costly mistakes Indian entrepreneurs make. Thousands of trademark applications are rejected every year simply because the applicant failed to conduct a proper public search before filing.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything about how trademark public search works in India, why it matters, how to use the IP India portal effectively, and what your search results actually mean.
Why Trademark Public Search in India Matters More Than Ever
India is registering businesses at a record pace. As of 2025, over 1.5 lakh new companies are incorporated every year, and the number of trademark applications filed with the Indian Trademark Office has crossed 6 lakh annually. That’s intense competition for brand names.
Here’s why running a trademark public search before filing is non-negotiable:
1. Avoid Costly Rejections
If your trademark is identical or confusingly similar to an existing registered or applied mark, the Trademark Examiner will issue an Examination Report objecting to your application. This delays your registration by months and may ultimately lead to refusal.
2. Save Money on Filing Fees
Government fees for trademark filing range from ₹4,500 (for individuals/startups) to ₹9,000 (for companies) per class. A rejected application due to prior conflicting marks means you lose that fee and must re-file.
3. Prevent Future Legal Disputes
Registering a trademark that conflicts with an existing one can expose your business to cease-and-desist notices, infringement suits, and financial penalties — even after your mark is initially published.
4. Make Smarter Brand Decisions Early
A trademark search done before branding investment lets you pivot early — choosing a unique, protectable brand name rather than discovering a conflict after your packaging, website, and marketing materials are already live.
Understanding the IP India Trademark Registry Portal
The official platform for Trademark Public Search in India is the IP India Trademark Search Portal, accessible at:
🔗 https://tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in/tmrpublicsearch/
This portal is maintained by the Indian Trademark Office and is updated regularly with:
- Registered trademarks (marks that have been formally granted registration)
- Applied trademarks (applications that are pending examination, opposition, or registration)
- Abandoned and withdrawn marks
- Opposed and refused marks
The database covers all 45 trademark classes under the Nice Classification system — the international standard for classifying goods and services.
Step-by-Step: How to Use Trademark Public Search in India
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to conduct a proper trademark search using the IP India portal.
Step 1: Visit the IP India Trademark Search Portal
Navigate to the official trademark public search page at the IP India website. Make sure you’re on the government (.gov.in) domain to ensure the data is authentic.
Step 2: Select the Search Type
The portal offers several search modes:
| Search Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Wordmark Search | Finds trademarks with the exact word or similar words |
| Vienna Code Search | Searches logo marks by their figurative elements |
| Phonetic Search | Finds trademarks that sound similar to your word |
| Contains Search | Finds marks that contain your keyword within them |
Pro Tip: Always run at least a Wordmark Search and a Phonetic Search together. Many conflicts arise from marks that sound alike even if spelled differently (e.g., “Café Crème” vs “Kafe Crem”).
Step 3: Enter Your Trademark Word
Type the brand name or word you want to protect in the search field. You can search by:
- The exact word
- A partial word
- A phonetic equivalent
Step 4: Select the Relevant Class
This is critical. India follows the Nice Classification of goods and services, which divides all products and services into 45 classes (Classes 1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services).
For example:
- Class 25 → Clothing, footwear, headwear
- Class 35 → Advertising, business management
- Class 41 → Education, entertainment
- Class 45 → Legal services, security services
You should search in every class relevant to your business, including classes where competitors may operate and potentially block your mark.
Step 5: Analyse the Search Results
Your results will display a list of existing or applied trademarks that match your query. For each result, you’ll see:
- Application Number — Unique identifier for the trademark application
- Status — Registered, Objected, Opposed, Abandoned, etc.
- Class — The class in which it was filed
- Proprietor Name — Who owns or applied for the mark
- Date of Application — When it was filed
- Goods/Services Description — What the mark covers
How to Read Your Trademark Search Results
Not all search results signal danger. Here’s how to interpret what you find:
🟢 Green Light — Safe to Proceed (Provisionally)
- Marks with status “Abandoned,” “Withdrawn,” or “Refused” are generally no longer active conflicts, though caution is still advised.
- Marks in completely unrelated classes may not block your application (but always consult a professional).
🟡 Yellow Light — Proceed with Caution
- Marks that are phonetically or visually similar but not identical.
- Marks that are “Objected” or “Opposed” — these are still active and could be restored.
🔴 Red Light — Do Not File Without Expert Advice
- Registered marks that are identical or highly similar to your proposed mark in the same or related class.
- Marks with status “Registered” are fully protected, and filing against one is likely to result in objection or opposition.
Our Fees for Trademark Application Filing
(Professional Fee ₹ 1999 + Govt Fee:₹4500)
₹
6500/-
- Trademark Availability Search
- Drafting of User Affidavit
- Filing of Trademark Application
Documents Required For Trademark Registration
- Applicant/ Authorised Signatory Name
- Applicant/ Authorised Signatory Father Name
- Applicant/ Authorised Signatory Address
- Name of Company (if any)
- MSME Registration Certificate (If any)
- Trademark Logo in Jpeg Format (If any)
- List of Products or services
- Trademark Class
- Company Email ID and Mobile number
After the Trademark Public Search: What's Next?
Once you’ve confirmed that your trademark is available or low-risk, the next steps are:
1. File Your Trademark Application
File through the IP India online portal or through a registered Trademark Agent/Attorney. Individuals, startups, and small enterprises pay a reduced government fee of ₹4,500 per class when filing online.
2. Receive the Examination Report
The Trademark Office typically issues an Examination Report within 30–90 days. If no objection is raised, your mark proceeds to publication.
3. Publication in the Trademarks Journal
Your mark is published in the Official Trademarks Journal for 4 months, during which third parties can file an opposition.
4. Registration Certificate
If no opposition is received (or opposition proceedings are decided in your favour), you receive the Trademark Registration Certificate — granting you exclusive rights to use the mark in India for 10 years, renewable indefinitely.
How SetupFiling.in Makes Trademark Filing Simple
At setupfiling.in, our team of experienced Trademark Attorneys and Company Secretaries with 15+ years of expertise has helped 50,000+ businesses across India protect their brands.
Here’s what we offer:
- ✅ Free Trademark Availability Check — We run comprehensive public searches across all relevant classes
- ✅ Expert Risk Assessment — Our attorneys interpret results and flag hidden risks
- ✅ End-to-End Filing — We prepare, file, and track your application
- ✅ Response to Examination Reports — We draft professional responses to any objections raised
- ✅ Opposition Handling — We represent you if a third party opposes your mark
- ✅ Affordable, Transparent Pricing — No hidden fees. Fixed professional charges
Whether you’re a startup protecting your first brand name or an established business expanding your IP portfolio, we guide you every step of the way.
Get a free trademark consultation today at SetupFiling.in
Join 50,000+ businesses who’ve secured their trademark with SetupFiling.in. Start in 5 minutes — expert team handles the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Trademark Public Search in India free?
Yes. The IP India Trademark Public Search tool is completely free to use. Anyone can access it without registration or Payment. However, conducting the search correctly and interpreting results accurately often benefits from professional guidance.
How often is the IP India trademark database updated?
The IP India database is updated daily. However, there may be a short lag between when an application is filed and when it appears in the public search results.
Can I File a Trademark if a similar one exists?
It depends on the degree of similarity, the classes involved, and the goods/services covered. A trademark professional can advise whether the similarity is likely to cause confusion or whether you can co-exist, file with a disclaimer, or pursue a different strategy.
What is the difference between a registered and an applied trademark in the search results?
An “Applied” mark means an application has been filed but the trademark is not yet registered — it’s under examination or opposition. A “Registered” mark means the trademark has been fully granted. Both can be cited against your application.
How long does trademark registration take in India?
The process typically takes 18 to 36 months from the date of filing to receipt of the registration certificate, assuming no objections or oppositions. However, you get ™ rights from the date of application and ® rights only after registration.
Can I protect my logo and brand name separately?
Yes. You can file separate trademark applications for your word mark (brand name) and your device mark (logo). Many businesses file both for comprehensive protection
What happens if someone copies my trademark after registration?
A registered trademark gives you the right to take legal action for infringement in court, seek injunctions, claim damages, and initiate criminal proceedings in cases of counterfeiting under the Trademarks Act, 1999.
Is it mandatory to hire a trademark attorney in India?
No, individuals can file on their own. However, engaging a registered Trademark Agent or Attorney significantly improves the quality of your application, reduces chances of objection, and ensures your mark is classified and described correctly.