Trademark Search in India: How to Check and Find Trade Marks Easily and Effectively

Trademark Search Basics – What You Need to Know

A trademark search means reviewing existing applied or approved trademarks in the official database run by the Trade Marks Registry of India. This procedure helps verify whether your proposed trademark is available or if it interferes with any existing mark.

Conducting a trademark search before the branding process reduces the risk of infringement and ensures your brand identity remains unique and legally secured.

 

 

Why Checking Trade Marks Before Filing Matters

Doing a trade mark search before registering is not just smart—it’s essential for avoiding problems. A careful search lets you:

- Steer clear of already-used marks

- Reduce costs from rejected applications

- Avoid legal fights

- Ensure your brand is unique

- Speed up the registration process

Without adequate checking, your trademark application might be rejected, wasting time and resources.

 

 

Steps to Do a Trademark Check in India

The Trade Marks Registry provides an official website where anyone can perform a trademark search. To search:

- Go to the Trade Marks Registry website

- Navigate to the public search section

- Type your brand name or logo text

- Select the correct class

- Check for matches

This tool gives you visibility into both registered trademarks and pending applications, so you can check availability.

 

 

What Are Trademark Classes?

Each trademark falls under a specific class. In India, there are 45 trademark classes—34 for goods and 11 for services. Selecting the right class ensures your search is accurate.

For example, a clothing label usually search under Class 25, while tech products often go under Class 9. Understanding this system is key to getting relevant results.

 

 

Why You Should Do Both Phonetic and Wordmark Searches

When checking for trademark availability, run both wordmark and phonetic searches. A literal match check looks for identical or similar spellings. A phonetic search finds names that sound alike, even if spelled in a different way.

This ensures you catch trademarks that could pose legal issues, giving you better security before applying.

 

 

Resources and Platforms for Trade Mark Checks

The Indian IP Office provides a free, official search tool. There are also private platforms that offer extra features like:

- Smart filters

- Expert analysis

- Trademark risk reports

These tools simplify trademark checking for new brands and help ensure your trademark is ready to file.

 

 

Searching for Non-Text Trade Marks

If your trademark includes a logo, you’ll need to perform a visual mark check. Searching logos is more find trademark complex than wordmark searches, but the Registry portal supports image-based filters and keyword tagging.

This ensures your symbol or logo doesn’t infringe on another registered design, avoiding legal issues.

 

 

The Value of Expert Guidance for Trade Mark Searches

While anyone can search, a legal expert brings experience to the process. Professionals:

- Understand classification systems

- Identify hidden risks

- Recommend changes

- Handle the registration process

For serious businesses, professional support adds strategy and legal confidence.

 

 

After You Search: What’s Next?

Once your search confirms the mark is available, you can start the application process. This includes:

- Preparing documents

- Selecting classes

- Submitting payments

The process then enters examination, journal listing, and if no objections arise, your mark is granted.

 

 

Secure Your Brand with Smart Trade Mark Checks

A proper trademark search in India is the most important step in protecting your brand. It ensures your name, logo or slogan are free to use, legally safe, and fit for filing.

With simple search platforms and expert help, anyone can conduct a trademark search. Begin with clarity—because a strong brand needs a strong foundation.