It happens more often than you think. A small business starts gaining momentum, customers recognize the logo, and the name begins to appear in search, and suddenly, someone else is using a confusingly similar identity. By the time legal help is sought, the damage is done. That’s why understanding trademark protection tips in India isn’t just helpful — it’s a necessity.
Your brand name and logo are not just symbols; they are your business’s first impression and lasting legacy. In India’s fast-paced digital economy, even the most innovative ideas risk being copied or misused if not protected legally. And yet, many business owners overlook the brand name registration process in India, thinking it’s too technical or time-consuming.
In reality, the process of logo trademark filing in India has become more streamlined than ever, thanks to online systems and startup-focused IP schemes. But protection goes beyond just filling out a form. You need to think strategically about which trademark class to apply under, whether to file a wordmark or a device mark, and how to respond if objections are raised.
Here’s what every founder, creator, or marketer should know about how to protect your brand in India:
- Register your brand name and logo early, before launching to the public.
- Don’t assume a domain name or social media handle equals trademark rights.
- Use proper legal symbols only after registration — ® for registered marks, ™ for pending.
- Indian startups can avail of reduced filing fees under the Startup India initiative.
- Enforce your rights actively once registered — monitoring is part of protection.
This guide on trademark registration for Indian startups will help you make informed, confident decisions — and avoid costly mistakes that many others make too late.
Why Trademark Protection Matters for Your Brand in India
In today’s competitive business climate, a brand is more than just a name or logo — it’s your reputation, your credibility, and your customer’s first impression. If you’re building a business in India, protecting these identifiers is essential to your survival and growth.
Many business owners underestimate the impact of not securing their brand legally — until they discover someone else is using a name or logo that looks eerily familiar. That’s where trademarks come in. They act as your legal shield, and failing to register one leaves your entire brand open to misuse.
Let’s break down why trademark protection tips in India are not just legal advice, but a business necessity.
Protects Your Business Identity, Logo, and Goodwill
Your brand name and logo are unique identifiers of your product or service. Once they become recognizable, they hold commercial value — what the law refers to as “goodwill.” A registered trademark ensures that this identity is officially yours and no one else can legally claim or imitate it.
- Prevents unauthorized third parties from copying your logo.
- Shield the trust you’ve built with customers.
- Adds long-term commercial value to your brand.
Prevents Others from Copying or Misusing Your Brand Name
In India, where informal usage and imitation are rampant in many markets, not having a registered trademark is like leaving your shop unlocked overnight.
- Trademark registration deters others from using deceptively similar names
- It allows you to challenge domain squatting and social media impersonation
- Startups that register early often avoid future litigation and rebranding costs
You’ll find this especially critical during the brand name registration process in India, where proactive filing can make the difference between keeping your identity and losing it.
Gives You the Legal Right to Sue Infringers and Claim Damages
When you own a registered trademark, you get more than just exclusive usage rights — you gain the legal standing to enforce those rights.
- File infringement suits against unauthorized use
- Claim compensation or damages for financial losses caused
- Request injunctions from courts to prevent ongoing misuse
Under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, your registration becomes a key piece of evidence, strengthening your legal claims and offering enforceability that informal usage alone cannot provide.
Builds Trust with Customers, Investors, and Partners
A registered trademark acts as a sign of credibility. It shows that you’re serious about your brand, and others notice.
- Customers are more likely to trust a brand that carries the ™ or ® symbol
- Investors often check trademark status as part of due diligence
- Business partnerships, franchising, and licensing deals require proof of ownership
Especially when it comes to logo trademark filing in India, the visibility of your device mark registration enhances your branding power.
Essential for Indian Startups Aiming to Build a Scalable Brand
Many Indian startups skip legal formalities in the early stages — but that oversight can become a costly mistake. If you plan to scale, raise capital, or go global, your trademark registration for Indian startups is the foundation of your IP strategy.
- Eligible for reduced filing fees under the Startup India Scheme.
- Protect your brand during funding rounds and valuation discussions.
- Lay the groundwork for international filings via the Madrid Protocol.
Here’s a quick view of why early-stage trademark protection matters:
| Benefit | With Registration | Without Registration |
| Exclusive usage rights | Yes | No |
| Legal protection & enforcement | Yes | Limited |
| Eligibility for the Madrid Protocol | Yes | No |
| Startup India fee concession | Available | Not Applicable |
| Investor confidence | High | Risky |
What Can Be Trademarked in India? A Quick Legal Overview
Most business owners know that their brand name needs protection, but very few realise just how much else can be trademarked under Indian law. It’s not limited to just a word or a name. The law today recognises several other elements of brand identity — the kind that you use every day across packaging, advertising, and digital branding — all of which can be protected if filed correctly.
In fact, in many industries, what distinguishes one company from another is not just a name but a combination of visual and verbal identifiers, including logos, design elements, and taglines. And each of these, if they meet the basic legal requirements, may be registered as a trademark.
Eligible Elements for Trademark Registration
Here are some of the most common — and legally acceptable — elements you can file for:
- Wordmark – This refers to your business or brand name in textual form. For example, the word “CRED” or “Zivame.”
- Device Mark – This is your logo or symbol (with or without words). It includes the layout, font style, design, and colour combination.
- Slogans/Taglines – If your slogan is distinctive and used in branding, it can be protected. A popular example is “Taste the Thunder.”
- Combination Marks – A mix of your name and logo together (e.g., “Boat” + the icon above it).
- Sound Marks – Audio signatures used in branding (like ICICI Bank’s jingle).
- Colour Combinations – This is rare, but if a specific colour scheme is associated exclusively with your product (e.g., Cadbury purple), it may qualify.
- Shape of Goods – Unique bottle or packaging shapes, if non-functional and recognisable, can also be registered.
It’s essential to remember that trademark rights in India are not automatic — they must be claimed through a formal application. That is why following the brand name registration process in India becomes critical for startups and growing businesses.
Wordmark vs. Device Mark: Practical Distinction
Many business owners, especially first-time founders, struggle to decide whether they should register a name, a logo, or both. Here’s a quick comparative view to clarify:
| Aspect | Wordmark | Device Mark (Logo) |
| What it protects | The textual name of the brand | The stylised appearance or design of your logo |
| Scope | Any usage of the name, regardless of styling | Higher – works across fonts, sizes, and platforms |
| Flexibility | Lower – changes in appearance may require a new filing | Filed along with or after the wordmark depending on strategy |
| Recommended for | Businesses focused on name-driven branding | Brands with distinctive logo-based recognition |
| Filing Priority | Often done first, especially for new businesses | Filed along with or after the wordmark, depending on strategy |
If you’re focusing on visual identity — which many D2C startups and digital-first businesses are — then logo trademark filing in India becomes a non-negotiable. But if your brand name is where the market traction lies, securing the wordmark should be your top priority.
What Cannot Be Trademarked?
While the list of what can be protected is broad, there are a few key exclusions that often trip people up:
- Generic words without distinctiveness (e.g., “Fast Food” or “Super Clean”).
- Marks that are descriptive of the product’s nature or quality (“Tasty Bites” for a snack).
- Identifiers similar or deceptively close to existing trademarks.
- Marks that hurt religious sentiments or use official government emblems or flags.
- Geographical terms or commonly used industry phrases, unless proven to have acquired a secondary meaning.
Startups, in particular, should take note — because once you launch under a name that’s not legally protectable, the only solution may be to rebrand. That’s why we always recommend getting proper legal advice early. One of the best trademark protection tips in India is simple: file early, file correctly, and file with clarity.
Step-by-Step Brand Name Registration Process in India
Registering a trademark in India might appear bureaucratic at first glance, but once you break it down, it follows a clear and structured pathway. If you’re building a business and you want to own your name — not just use it — then this registration isn’t optional. It’s your legal footing.
Whether you’re applying for the first time or correcting an earlier oversight, here’s how to navigate the brand name registration process in India from start to finish.
Step 1 – Trademark Search on IP India Database
Before you even begin the paperwork, conduct a trademark search at https://ipindiaonline.gov.in/tmrpublicsearch. This is to ensure your desired name isn’t already taken or deceptively similar to another.
- Use multiple spellings and variations.
- Check phonetic similarities — they matter in opposition cases.
- Look at registered and objected marks — both are useful indicators.
If your search shows existing similar marks, it might be time to tweak your name. Filing with an already registered or contested brand name is a guaranteed delay.
Step 2 – Identifying the Correct Trademark Class
In India, trademarks are filed under the Nice Classification — an internationally accepted system that divides products and services into 45 classes.
For example:
| Class No. | Industry |
| 3 | Cosmetics and cleaning goods |
| 9 | Software and electronics |
| 25 | Clothing and fashion |
| 35 | Business services, marketing |
Each application is class-specific. If you deal in apparel and digital products, you may need to file in both Class 25 and Class 9.
This is where many applicants — especially startups — go wrong. Filing in the wrong class or missing a critical one exposes your brand to infringement risks. Choosing properly is one of the most practical trademark protection tips in India.
Step 3 – Filing the TM-A Application
Once you’ve completed the search and picked your class, it’s time to formally apply using Form TM-A. This can be done:
- Online, through the IP India portal.
- Offline, by submitting to the appropriate Trademark Registry office.
You’ll need:
- The brand name (wordmark) or logo (device mark)
- Applicant details (individual/startup/company)
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48, if filed via agent)
- Proof of claim to prior use (if applicable)
For startups, the trademark registration for Indian startups comes with a 50% fee concession. Just ensure your DPIIT certificate is ready at the time of filing.
Step 4 – Examination and Response to Objections
After filing, your application goes into examination. This is where the Trademark Office checks if your application complies with the law — and whether it might confuse the public or infringe someone else’s mark.
- If all is fine, your mark moves forward.
- If there are issues, you’ll receive an examination report.
Don’t panic — objections are common. They’re often raised for being descriptive or resembling an existing mark. A reply must be submitted (with evidence, if possible) within 30 days.
This stage is where many applications go cold due to inaction. A quick and detailed response here ensures a smoother passage.
Step 5 – Journal Publication and Opposition Period
Once cleared by the examiner, your trademark is published in the Trademark Journal. It’s a public notice — open to anyone who wishes to object.
- The opposition window is 4 months from publication.
- If someone files an opposition, legal proceedings begin.
- If unopposed, the process moves to registration.
If you’ve done proper groundwork — like the search and class selection — this stage is usually smooth.
Step 6 – Issuance of Registration Certificate
After the opposition window closes without issues, your application is accepted. The Trademark Certificate is then issued — a document that confirms legal ownership.
At this point, you’re allowed to use the ® symbol, which stands for “registered trademark.” This isn’t just cosmetic. It acts as a public notice that your mark is protected under Indian law, and copying it now comes with legal consequences.
Timelines – What to Expect
On paper, the process can be completed in 6 to 9 months. But realistically:
| Stage | Average Timeline |
| 1–2 months post-opposition | 1–2 days |
| Examination + response | 2–4 months |
| Journal publication | 1 month (after approval) |
| Opposition period | 4 months |
| Final registration | 1–2 months post opposition |
If objections or oppositions arise, it may stretch to 12–18 months, or more.
Securing your name is one of the most crucial steps in how to protect your brand in India. Once this process is complete, it’s no longer just a name — it becomes your legally recognised identity in the marketplace.
Logo Trademark Filing India: Key Steps and Best Practices
If your brand’s logo is distinctive — even before someone reads the name — then it’s not just a graphic, it’s legal property. Think of the Amul girl, the Royal Enfield badge, or even Paytm’s simple but recognisable lettering. Those aren’t just designs — they’re protected assets. That’s the value of filing your logo as a device mark.
Unfortunately, many Indian businesses — especially small enterprises and startups — still believe that registering the company name alone is enough. But that leaves the visual identity of their brand wide open to copycats. That’s why trademark protection tips India must always include the logo as a non-negotiable part of the strategy.
Let’s break down how this works and why filing a logo correctly requires a bit more attention to detail.
Prepare Your Logo for Trademark Filing
Before you file, you need to prepare the artwork in the correct format. The IP India office requires:
- File format: JPEG
- Size: Maximum 8cm x 8cm
- Background: Transparent or white preferred; coloured background only if it’s part of the claimed design
- Resolution: High clarity — poor image quality can delay the application
If your logo contains stylised text, it will still be considered a device mark, not a wordmark. This is important because it means your protection is visual rather than linguistic. If someone uses the same words in plain font, you may not be able to stop them unless you’ve filed the name separately.
Register as a Device Mark (Not Wordmark)
When filling out Form TM-A, you must select the correct category for your mark. For logos and stylised designs, choose “device mark” in the application.
You will also need to:
- Write a brief description of your logo — e.g., “Blue and yellow flame design with text ‘Zorion’ underneath”
- Tick the appropriate box if you’re claiming colour as a feature (more on this below)
- Upload the actual logo image as part of the application
This is a legal declaration. If you claim colour as a feature, then only that version of the logo gets protected. If you don’t, then the trademark may apply to black-and-white versions as well, giving you slightly broader protection.
Claim Colours Wisely – or Leave it Monochrome
This is one of the most misunderstood areas. If your brand identity relies heavily on a specific colour scheme — for example, blue-and-white for medical services or saffron-green for an Indian herbal brand — you may want to claim colours.
But if you’re unsure or still evolving the design, you’re better off filing the logo in black-and-white. This offers flexibility.
| Filing Style | Pros | Cons |
| Black-and-white logo | Broader future-proof protection | Limited scope; future redesigns need a new filing |
| Colour-specific logo | May weaken the claim over specific colour association | It may weaken the claim over specific colour association |
If you later rebrand or update colours, you must file a fresh application — your earlier mark won’t automatically cover the new look.
File Under All Relevant Trademark Classes
Your logo represents your business, but only in the classes you file under.
That means if you’re a clothing startup selling through an e-commerce platform, filing in Class 25 (Apparel) is not enough. You may also need:
- Class 35 (Retail services and online marketplace)
- Class 18 (Accessories, leather goods, bags)
- Class 9 (Wearable devices, if applicable)
It’s essential to think not just about what you do today, but what your brand might expand into over the next 2–3 years. That’s how serious businesses approach trademark registration for Indian startups — with scalability in mind.
Common Reasons for Logo Trademark Rejection
Logo marks are often rejected for the following reasons:
- Similarity to existing registered logos, even partial resemblance, can lead to objections.
- Generic or descriptive elements — e.g., using the national emblem, map of India, or common religious symbols.
- Logo contains misleading terms — like “Govt Approved,” “ISO Certified”.
- Non-distinctive artwork — generic shapes or overused motifs like stars or globes.
These aren’t just technicalities — they can delay your application by months. If you’re unsure, conducting a pre-filing search for visual similarities on the IP India portal is always a wise move.
Proving Originality in Your Logo Design
If you want to establish prior usage, especially in case of objections, you may need to show:
- Invoices, packaging, and website screenshots featuring your logo.
- Date-stamped design files (source files help).
- Branding decks, brochures, or launch collaterals.
- Social media presence using the logo.
This is where how to protect your brand in India moves from legal paperwork into real strategy — because the more you can prove the logo is yours, the faster you can enforce your rights.
The best logo trademark filing process isn’t about speed — it’s about accuracy. File smart, and your logo becomes an IP asset. File casually, and you’ll spend time — and money — later undoing the damage.
Trademark Registration for Indian Startups: Special Tips
Starting up in India is no small feat. With increasing competition and digital-first branding, even early-stage founders have realised one thing — protecting your startup’s identity isn’t a luxury, it’s a legal necessity. That’s where trademarks come in.
Unlike bigger brands, startups often don’t have the luxury to rebrand, refile, or recover from an infringement case. Once a brand name or logo is out in the public domain — unprotected — it’s up for grabs. If someone else registers it before you do, the law won’t be on your side, even if you were the first to use it.
This is why trademark registration for Indian startups must be built into the foundation, not something you “deal with later.” Below are practical, realistic tips for startup founders navigating the Indian trademark process in 2025.
Claim DPIIT Startup Benefits – Slash Your TM Filing Costs
If your startup is DPIIT-recognised, you’re eligible for a 50% concession on official government fees for filing trademarks under the Startup India scheme.
Here’s how it plays out:
| Applicant Type | Govt. Fee (Per Class) |
| Individual / Startup / SME | ₹4,500 |
| Company (non-startup) | ₹9,000 |
Tip: Always file in your startup’s name if it qualifies — not in the founder’s name, unless strategically necessary.
Make sure you attach your DPIIT certificate during filing. Without it, you’ll be charged the higher fee, and rectifying that later can get messy.
Register Early – First to File Gets the Rights
India follows a first-to-file rule, not first-to-use. This means if you’re using a brand name or logo publicly — on your Instagram, website, packaging — but someone else files for it before you do, they get the legal rights.
So:
- Don’t wait till you raise funding.
- Don’t wait till “you get famous”.
- File early — even before your product launches, if the name is fixed.
It’s one of the simplest but most overlooked trademark protection tips India founders miss.
Secure the Brand Ecosystem – TM + Domain + Social Handles
Your brand isn’t just your logo or name anymore. It’s a set of identifiers across platforms. If you only trademark the name, but someone else owns your Instagram handle or domain, you’ve got a fractured brand.
Checklist:
- Trademark the wordmark and logo.
- Secure the .com and .in domains.
- Lock social handles on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter.
- Use consistent branding across platforms.
This also helps prove prior usage if anyone challenges your application. For startups relying heavily on social-first marketing, this strategy is critical.
Monitor Infringement from Day One
Your registration doesn’t stop others from copying you — it gives you the right to act when they do. But that means you have to watch. Especially in digital spaces.
Startups are particularly vulnerable to:
- Competitors are mimicking the name/branding.
- Fake social profiles.
- Copycat e-commerce listings.
- Freelancers selling pirated versions of your logo on platforms like Fiverr.
Tip: Do periodic Google and IP India searches for similar names/logos in your niche. You can also set up alerts or use services to track trademark filings.
Consult a Lawyer
Startups often skip legal consultation to save costs — and end up paying double later in objections, litigation, or forced rebranding.
A qualified legal professional can:
- Help draft better descriptions (esp. for device marks).
- Advise on class selection and future-proof filing.
- Respond to objections swiftly.
- File additional applications if your brand evolves.
DIY filing seems cost-effective, but if your first application gets objected to and you lose time, that’s money too. For founders looking to protect your brand in India, legal strategy isn’t optional. It’s part of building something defensible.
Real-World Example: A Startup Lost Its Name at Shark Tank Stage
A fintech startup applied to Shark Tank with a popular Hindi-English brand name. But during diligence, it turned out the name was already filed by someone else a year prior, despite no actual business activity.
Result?
- They had to rebrand 3 weeks before the shoot.
- Lost their domain, social traction, and credibility.
- The trademark case is still pending.
In the startup world, where timelines are tight and visibility can spike overnight, the cost of not registering your IP is far higher than the cost of doing it right.
Let your logo, name, and story work for you, not for someone else. Secure them. Register them. And build your brand like you plan to defend it — because one day, you just might have to.
Mistakes to Avoid While Filing a Trademark in India
For many entrepreneurs, especially first-time founders, filing a trademark feels like a formality. You pick your brand name, hire someone (or worse, do it yourself), file it under a class, and assume all’s safe. It isn’t. If your paperwork is wrong — or your strategy sloppy — you might end up owning nothing.
In fact, trademark filings in India often get objected to, delayed, or even abandoned due to easily avoidable errors. These aren’t just technicalities — they can cost you brand equity and market trust. So here’s a detailed look at the most common mistakes businesses make, and how to avoid them.
Using Generic or Descriptive Words as Brand Names
This is the most frequent reason for rejection — yet it’s still not widely understood. Words that directly describe your product or service can’t be registered. Why? Because they’re a common language, not brand identifiers.
For example:
| Brand Name | Why It Fails |
| “Fresh Milk Co.” | Too generic — no distinctiveness |
| “Budget Electronics” | Descriptive — not unique enough for legal protection |
| “Indian Herbal Soap” | Uses location + product type — not registerable |
It’s a fundamental piece of advice in every list of trademark protection tips India: if the name sounds like a dictionary word, rethink it.
Filing Under the Wrong Class
India follows the Nice Classification system with 45 classes. When you file your application, you must choose the right class, depending on your goods/services.
Let’s say you sell Ayurvedic skincare online. You may need:
- Class 3 – for cosmetics and oils.
- Class 5 – for medicated herbal products.
- Class 35 – for online retailing.
Most startups file under only one class — usually the product category — and skip retail, content, or tech services that also form part of their offering.
Mistake? Absolutely. Because you’ll only get protection within the class you file. Someone else can register the same mark in another class and dilute your brand value. If you’re serious about how to protect your brand in India, always do a full product+service map before filing.
Ignoring Examination Reports or Show Cause Hearings
Even well-filed marks often get examined and marked for clarification or objection. That’s completely normal, especially for first-time applicants.
What’s not normal is ignoring it.
- You get an Examination Report.
- You get 30 days to reply.
- If you don’t, the application is marked abandoned.
Tip: Hire a trademark lawyer or agent who will track the file and actually respond. A good reply + basic legal explanation often resolves objections easily.
Not Renewing Your Trademark After 10 Years
Trademarks in India are valid for 10 years from the date of application, not registration. If you forget to renew it on time, your protection lapses — and your mark enters the public domain.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Year | Action |
| Year 0 | File your trademark |
| Year 2 (approx) | Mark gets registered |
| Year 10 | Renewal becomes due |
| Year 11+ | Lapse if not renewed |
Even worse, if someone else files for your lapsed mark, and you don’t have valid reasons or prior use evidence, you may have to fight — or forfeit. We’ve seen many legacy brands lose trademarks simply because no one kept track of renewal dates.
Pro tip: Set calendar reminders, or get it managed through a law firm. You don’t want to be building brand equity for a mark that isn’t even yours anymore.
Assuming TM Usage = Legal Protection
Many businesses just slap the “™” symbol on their name and assume they’re protected. Legally, that’s not true.
- The ™ symbol only signals intent to claim rights.
- It does not give you actual legal ownership.
- Only the ® symbol — post-registration — gives you full enforceable rights.
If you’re relying on informal usage without filing, you’re exposed. Competitors can copy your name, and unless you’ve got a registered mark (or a pending one with strong evidence of use), the law may not protect you. In India, where “passing off” claims are harder to prove without documents, registration is your safest bet. That’s why one of the strongest trademark registration for Indian startups is this: “Intent without filing is as good as no protection.”
Legal Enforcement: How to Protect Your Brand After Registration
Filing for a trademark? That’s step one. Getting the certificate? That’s a win. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves — the real game begins after registration. See, a trademark doesn’t work like a CCTV camera. It doesn’t automatically detect intrusions. It’s more like a “no trespassing” sign — clear, legal, but someone still has to act when a line is crossed.
Most Indian founders don’t realise this until it’s too late. Someone rips off their name or launches a copycat brand, and suddenly it’s a mess. Your trademark only works if you use it — legally, publicly, and defensively. Here’s where most people go wrong, and what you can do instead.
Start Using the ® Symbol — But Only When It’s Yours
You’d be surprised how many people flash the ® symbol without even owning a registered mark. That’s not just premature, it’s technically illegal. Once your mark is officially registered with the Trademark Registry, that’s when you get to use the ®.
Not before.
Here’s what each symbol means:
| Symbol | Meaning | Legal Weight |
| ™ | “I’m using this name/logo and claiming it” | No formal registration yet |
| ® | “I’m using this name/logo and claiming it.” | Legally enforceable |
If you’ve got the certificate, use the ® everywhere. Website. Packaging. LinkedIn bio. It signals that your brand isn’t up for imitation.
Don’t Hesitate to Send a Cease & Desist Letter
Someone’s launched a product with a near-identical name? Or your logo turns up in a knockoff ad? Don’t just rant on WhatsApp — respond, formally.
A cease and desist letter doesn’t need to be aggressive. It just needs to say:
- “We own this mark.”
- “Here’s the proof.”
- “You’re using it illegally.”
- “Please stop by X date, or legal action will follow.”
Most infringers back off if the letter is properly drafted and on letterhead. Courts appreciate it too — it shows you tried resolution before litigation.
This kind of brand policing is one of the most overlooked trademark protection tips in India. But trust me, it’s necessary.
In Some Cases, Go to Court — and Go Fast
Let’s say they don’t respond to your notice, or worse, they double down. Then you move from paperwork to court.
You can file a suit asking for:
- Monetary damages, if you’ve lost sales or goodwill.
- Destruction of infringing goods (yep, that’s a thing).
- Reimbursement of legal costs if the court agrees it was a blatant infringement.
Quick tip — if your brand is getting pan-India visibility, you can even file in the Delhi High Court, regardless of where your business is based. It saves time and carries weight.
Monitor Constantly — Don’t Just File and Forget
Your brand is exposed in more ways than you think. A clever dupe can pop up as:
- A near-clone product on Amazon.
- A fake Instagram store.
- A lookalike app on the Play Store.
- Even a business registration with a copycat name.
What helps?
| Where to Watch | What to Look For | Action |
| IP India Public Search | New marks close to yours | Oppose or file for rectification |
| Online stores | Counterfeits using your packaging | Brand complaint |
| Social media | Impersonation or misleading handles | Take-down requests |
| Google Alerts | Brand keyword misuse | Early signal of potential issues |
If you’ve invested in logo trademark filing in India, keeping an eye out isn’t optional — it’s survival.
For Exporters, Activate Customs IPR Protection
This one’s lesser known. If you export products under your brand name, you can record your trademark with Indian Customs. This lets Customs officials block counterfeits before they leave or enter the country.
How it works:
- Register on ICEGATE.
- Upload your trademark registration.
- Add product and packaging samples.
- Authorise Customs to detain infringements.
This tool is wildly underused, especially by Indian startups going global. But if you’re serious about how to protect your brand in India, this is a must-do step.
Conclusion
Look, a lot of people file for a trademark and then just forget about it. Happens more often than you’d think. Some even assume that just because the ® symbol is there, nobody will mess with their brand. That’s not how it works — not in India, not anywhere.
Here’s the thing — getting the registration is like putting a lock on your shop door. That lock won’t do much unless you check it now and then. The same goes for your trademark. You’ve got to keep an eye out. On marketplaces, Instagram handles, packaging lookalikes, and even random domain names that pop up. If it feels off, it probably is.
You don’t need to jump into court every time. Half the time, just a polite legal notice will do the trick. It’s not about aggression — it’s about showing you’re paying attention. Because when you don’t, it shows, too.
And one more thing — don’t treat trademark renewal like some admin task. Set a reminder. Note it down somewhere. Ask your CA to flag it if you must. Ten years might feel like a long time today, but trust me, time flies, especially when your startup starts scaling.
About Us
Corrida Legal is a boutique corporate & employment law firm serving as a strategic partner to businesses by helping them navigate transactions, fundraising-investor readiness, operational contracts, workforce management, data privacy, and disputes. The firm provides specialized and end-to-end corporate & employment law solutions, thereby eliminating the need for multiple law firm engagements. We are actively working on transactional drafting & advisory, operational & employment-related contracts, POSH, HR & data privacy-related compliances and audits, India-entry strategy & incorporation, statutory and labour law-related licenses, and registrations, and we defend our clients before all Indian courts to ensure seamless operations.
We keep our client’s future-ready by ensuring compliance with the upcoming Indian Labour codes on Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions – and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. With offices across India including Gurgaon, Mumbai and Delhi coupled with global partnerships with international law firms in Dubai, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the USA, we are the preferred law firm for India entry and international business setups. Reach out to us on LinkedIn or contact us at contact@corridalegal.com/+91-9211410147 in case you require any legal assistance. Visit our publications page for detailed articles on contemporary legal issues and updates.