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MCAFiling Editorial & CA Team
Qualified Chartered Accountants & Company Secretaries · Updated Jun 2026 · 6-8 min read
What is Trademark Registration?
Trademark registration gives exclusive legal rights over brand name, logo, slogan or other distinctive identifier — preventing others from using similar marks in the same class.
India uses 45 trademark classes (Nice Classification). Registration is class-wise; multiple classes for broader protection. Use ™ before registration, ® after.
Quick facts
| Governing Act | Trade Marks Act, 1999 |
| Relevant Section | Section 18 |
| Form Reference | TM-A |
| Filing Authority | Trademarks Registry / IP India |
| Typical Timeline | 180-365 working days |
| Professional Fee | ₹5,999 onwards |
| Government Fee | ₹4,500 (MSME/individual) / ₹9,000 (company) |
Who needs this filing?
- Startups protecting brand name and logo
- D2C and e-commerce sellers
- Service businesses (agencies, consultancies, SaaS)
- Manufacturers and traders
Step-by-step process
Trademark search
Search IP India database for conflicts in your class.
Class selection
Identify relevant classes from 1-45.
TM-A filing
File Form TM-A online with mark, applicant, class, goods/services.
Examination
Examiner reviews — accepted or objection (3-6 months). We respond to objections.
Journal publication
If accepted, published in Trademark Journal. 4-month opposition window.
Registration certificate
If no opposition, certificate issued. Registered for 10 years.
Documents required
- Logo/mark in JPG (max 1024x1024)
- PAN of applicant
- Aadhaar (individual) / CoI (company)
- List of goods/services
- Address proof
- Date of first use (if used earlier)
- MSME / Startup India certificate (for fee concession)
Detailed fees breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|
| Professional fee per class | ₹5,999 |
| Govt fee — Individual/Startup/MSME | ₹4,500/class |
| Govt fee — Company/LLP | ₹9,000/class |
| Renewal (every 10 years) | ₹9,000/class |
Note: Government fees vary by state and are payable separately at actuals. Stamp duty depends on registered office state. Professional fees shown are indicative.
Key advantages
- Exclusive rights — sue infringers
- ® symbol after registration
- Brand asset — can be licensed or sold
- Required for Amazon Brand Registry, customs IP
- Renewable indefinitely (10-year cycle)
What happens after this filing?
Once Trademark Registration is complete, the following ongoing compliances apply:
- Use ™ until registered, ® after
- Renew every 10 years (6 months before expiry)
- Monitor for infringement, file opposition where needed
Frequently asked questions
How long does registration take?
Typically 12-18 months. Examination 3-6 months, Journal + opposition 4 months, certificate 1-2 months. Use ™ from day 1.
What can be trademarked?
Words, names, logos, taglines, sounds, colours, shapes — any distinctive mark. Cannot trademark generic, descriptive or deceptive marks.
Multi-class application?
Yes. Fee is per class. We help identify the most relevant classes.
What is opposition?
After journal publication, third parties can oppose within 4 months. Common reasons: similarity, descriptiveness, bad faith. We file responses.
® before registration?
No. ™ before; ® only after certificate. Misuse of ® is a punishable offence.
International protection?
Indian TM protects India only. For international: Madrid Protocol (single application multiple countries) or file in each country.
Fee concession for startups/MSMEs?
Yes. DPIIT-registered startups, MSMEs, individuals pay ₹4,500/class vs ₹9,000 for companies.
Related services
Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only. Tax rates, government fees and compliance requirements may change. Form references (e.g. TM-A) are statutory form identifiers used to describe the filing we assist with. MCAFiling.in is a private professional services platform and is
not affiliated with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs or the Government of India. Official portal:
mca.gov.in.