Trademark Registration for Startup

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Trademark Registration for Startup : Procedure, Documents & Fees

Updated on July 30, 2025 03:26:31 PM

Trademark registration is a critical step for companies looking to carve out a position in the competitive commercial market. Beyond a legal need, it is a strategic essential in developing and safeguarding a startup's brand identity. The article takes you on a journey through the complexities of trademark registration for businesses, highlighting the importance of this procedure as an initial basis for authority, legal protection, and market distinctiveness.

Understanding the complexity of trademark registration becomes critical as companies discuss the shifting ground of entrepreneurship. From conducting thorough research to selecting the appropriate classes and reacting to office actions, the route to obtaining a registered trademark is filled with strategic decisions that may influence the direction of a business. Join us as we delve into the complex world of trademark registration and examine how this critical step may serve as a catalyst for a startup's development, recognition, and long-term business success.

Table of Content

Overview of Trademark
The procedure of Trademark Registration for Startup
Fees for Trademark Registration for Startup
Required Documents for Trademark Registration for Startup
Benefits of Trademark Registration for Startup
Importance of Trademark Registration
Conclusion
Why Choose Litem Legalis?
Frequently Asked Questions

Overview of Trademark Registration

Trademark: A trademark is a distinct graphical indication that provides an identity to a brand or business. It might be a symbol, word, mark, name or slogan. This symbol aims to distinguish a good or service from others who are dealing in the same class or category.

Trademark Registration for Startups: Trademark registration for startups is vital for legal protection and brand credibility. It involves selecting classes, conducting searches, submitting applications, and, once registered, actively enforcing rights. This process secures exclusive use of distinctive marks.

Trademark Classes: As per the Nice Classification, the Trademarks are categorised into two main groups: Goods Classes (1 to 34) and the Service classes (35 to 45). It is crucial that startups carefully select the relevant classes to ensure comprehensive protection for their products.

The Procedure of Trademark Registration for a Startup

Trademark Registration for a startup is a long process, it can take time from 6 months to 24 months to register a Trademark. There are different steps in this procedure from application to registration. Here is the complete process of the Trademark registration for the startup.

Conduct Trademark search: Before applying for the Trademark registration for a startup, firstly the applicant should do an extensive Trademark search. This initial step determines the trademark’s availability, which aids in decreasing the chance of rejection.

Application Filing: After conducting a Trademark search, the applicant goes for the application filing. This process takes 24hrs after which the applicant can use (™) in front of their brand name or logo. This symbol determines that this mark is under the Trademark registration process.

Examination process: The application is forwarded to the department for review once it has been submitted. They investigate the trademark and figure out that it shouldn't be similar to any other trademark that has already been registered. If the application has any type of similarities then it will be sent for the reply.

Reply to Examination Report: If the application has objected from the department side so, the applicant has to submit a reply to the examination report in favour of their mark. If the reply is accepted, the application will be advertised in the Journal.

Advertise in Journal: When the application has been examined properly and the department has not any kind of objection regarding the similarities of the trademark the trademark has been advertised in the Journal. Any third party can oppose the application within four months of advertisement.

Opposition Process: If any third party opposes the Trademark registration, the Trademark registry will mark the application as opposed and the applicant has to make a necessary counter statement and supported evidence to defend the opposition
Hearing: At this stage, the Registry department gives chances to both parties to defend their side and prove their sides. If the Registrar accepts the applicant's statements then the trademark is registered otherwise it will be rejected

Registration certificate: This is the last stage, where the trademark has been fully registered. From this point, the applicant starts using symbol ® in front of their brand name or logo

List of Government Fees for Trademark Registration

In India, if any individual wants to register their Trademark they have to pay 4500/- only for online registration and 5000/- for offline registration. It is the basic government fee, there are different charges for different stages or processes. If any applicant wants to apply their Trademark in more than one class their fee will be increased according to their number of classes.

The complete online and offline fees structure of Trademark Registration is given below as per its steps or process:

Steps	Online Government fees
Trademark Application fees for company/LLP/Startup/NGO	₹ 4500/- *
Trademark Renewal fees	₹ 9000/-
Fees for Reply to Trademark Examination Report	Nil
Form Trademark-M	₹ 900/-
Show Cause Hearing	Nil
Notice of Opposition/ Counter Statement	₹ 2700/-
Evidence Rule 45/46	Nil
Opposition Hearing	Nil

The total Registration fees of Trademark registration will include govt fees as well as professional fees. With the assistance of experts, registration can be simple. "Litem Legalis" will be the best platform for anyone who wants a hassle-free registration process.

Required Documents for Trademark Registration for Startup

All the required document is given below for Trademark Registration for Startup:

Name of Trademark (LOGO if any).
Nature of Goods & Service.
PAN Card.
Aadhar Card.
Email ID.
Mobile No.
GST Registration Certificate (If applicable)
StartUp Certificate.
Signed PoA (Power of Attorney).

Note - Proof of Use - Submit supporting documents (such as Domain bill, Invoice containing Mark, images of the product with Mark, etc) with the New and Old dates, which can work as a proof of use of the Mark by the applicant or its predecessors from the date of use mentioned in the application.

Benefits of Trademark Registration for Startup.

Trademark Registration for Startup has the following Benefits:

Legal Protection: Registration gives StartUps a legal framework for safeguarding their brand against unlawful usage.
Credibility and Trust: A registered trademark enhances a startup's image by adding credibility and professionalism, promoting trust among consumers and investors.
Asset Value: A registered trademark becomes a valuable intellectual asset, possibly enhancing the total worth of the firm.
Global Expansion: By establishing a basis for protection in several countries, registration opens the way for international expansion.

Importance of Trademark Registration

Trademark registration is an essential part of any business. Any individual who wishes to expand their business in the coming years may submit an application for Trademark registration. It is beneficial to develop a distinctive identity or brand name.

A Trademark is important for several reasons, such as:

It protects your brand from other brands that survive in the same category.
Registered Trademark provides exclusive rights to the brand.
It also assists your brand with legal protection, where only the owner has all the rights to use it.
It also provides global protection to the company’s work or brand name.
It creates a Brand reputation that helps to stand out in the marketplace.
Everyone wants to expand their business, and a registered Trademark increases the chances of business expansion.
If an individual or company owns any Trademark, it has less chance of use by any other individual or brand, which means it helps to prevent rebranding.

Conclusion

Trademark registration is an essential safeguard for Startups, providing legal protection, increased brand legitimacy, and possible investor appeal. Understanding the complexities of the registration process, from extensive searches to strategic class selection, enables businesses to protect their distinct identities. Startups are primed for success in the competitive market as trademarks become vital assets, establishing their presence and providing a basis for consumer and stakeholder confidence.

Why Choose Litem Legalis?

“Litem Legalis" target="_blank">Litem Legalis” provides the best platform for registering your Trademark under professional and expert guidance with the lowest professional fees. We are committed to providing the best service experience to our clients by informing them about each stage of their TM Registration. We have years of experience in TM registration, which has a low chance of rejection:

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What steps are involved in registering a trademark in India?

The process of Trademark Registration in India is a long process that includes many steps, such as TM search, filing TM application, examination by the registrar, opposition process ( not mandatory), advertising in journals, and registration certificate.

What is the duration of trademark registration in India?

Trademark Registration in India can take 6 months to 24 months, it depends on the complexity of the Trademark.

How much does it cost to register a trademark in India?

The basic cost of trademark registration in India is Rs. 4500 per class for an individual. And Rs. 9000 per class for any company or partnership firm but if they have the MSME certificate the cost will be the same as individual charges.

What is the validity of a trademark?

In India, the Trademark is valid for only ten years. After that, the applicant has to renew their trademark.

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