The short version
- You can use ™ once your application is filed.
- You can use ® only after the mark is registered.
- There are 45 classes: 1 to 34 for goods and 35 to 45 for services.
- Individuals, startups and small businesses pay a lower government fee.
Why register
A registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use the mark in India for the goods or services it covers, and the right to sue anyone who infringes it.
™ and ®
The two symbols mean different things:
- ™ shows that you claim the mark. You can use it once your application is filed.
- ® shows that the mark is registered. Using it before registration is an offence under the Trade Marks Act.
After you file
The Registry examines the application and either accepts it or issues an examination report. Accepted marks are published in the Trade Marks Journal, and anyone can oppose them within 4 months. If no one does, the mark is registered for 10 years.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change often, so check with an advisor before you file anything.