Free Guide — Brand Protection
Trademark & Brand
Trademark & Brand
Protection Guide
From trademark search to registration certificate — protect your brand name, logo, and slogan before someone else does.
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Trademark & Brand
Protection Guide
Protection Guide
India | 40 Pages | PDF
Classes Guide
Filing Process
Madrid Protocol
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IP vs Trademark
What Actually
Protects Your Brand?
Most founders confuse trademark, copyright, and patent. Each protects something different. Here's the quick breakdown:
Trademark
Brand name, logo, slogan, colour, shape
Best for: Brand identity
Copyright
Written content, code, music, films, designs
Best for: Creative works
Patent
Novel inventions, processes, products
Best for: Inventions & tech
What's Inside
Complete Trademark
Filing Masterclass
- Trademark vs Copyright vs Patent — Side-by-side comparison: what each protects, duration, registration process, cost, and when you need which.
- Choosing the Right Trademark Classes — India has 45 Nice Classification classes. Filing in the wrong class = no protection. Class selection guide with industry examples (tech, food, fashion, services).
- Trademark Search — Before You File — How to search IP India's database, phonetically similar marks, deceptively similar logos. Avoid wasting ₹10,000+ on a doomed application.
- Filing Process Step by Step — TM-A application, Vienna codification for logos, POA (Power of Attorney), government fees (₹4,500 individual / ₹9,000 company).
- Examination & Section 11 Opposition — What happens after filing: absolute grounds refusal, relative grounds (similar marks), how to respond to examination report within 30 days.
- Publication in Trademark Journal — After acceptance, mark is published for 4-month opposition window. What opponents can file and how to defend your mark.
- Registration Certificate + Renewal — Certificate validity is 10 years from filing date. Renewal (TM-R) within 6 months before expiry. Importance of watching your mark after registration.
- International Trademark — Madrid Protocol — Extend protection to 130 countries via a single application. WIPO process, Indian basic application requirement, fees structure.
- Infringement Action — When someone copies your brand: cease & desist letter, IPAB complaint, district court injunction, police FIR (criminal action). Cost and timeline for each.
Registration Journey
From Application to
Certificate
1
Trademark Search
Search IP India database, check phonetic similarity, assess risk of opposition
1-2 days
2
File TM-A Application
Online filing on IP India portal. Get acknowledgement with TM number immediately
Same day — ™ symbol usable from this date
3
Examination by Registrar
Registrar reviews for absolute and relative grounds. May issue examination report with objections
12-18 months
4
Hearing (if objected)
Reply to examination report within 30 days. Hearing before Registrar if objection maintained
3-6 months after objection
5
Publication & Opposition
Published in Trademark Journal for 4-month opposition window. Third parties can oppose
4 months after acceptance
6
Registration Certificate
® symbol now usable. Valid 10 years from original filing date. Renewable indefinitely
2-3 years from filing
Reviews
Business Owners Who
Protected Their Brand
★★★★★
"I was about to file in Class 25 (Clothing) for my fashion brand. TaxClue's guide showed I also needed Class 35 for retail services and online marketplace. One filing saved me from re-filing later for ₹9,000 more."
★★★★★
"A competitor registered a name phonetically identical to ours 6 months after our filing. Because we had our TM number from Day 1, we could oppose successfully. The guide explains exactly how this works."
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Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.