Trademark registration in India is undoubtedly essential for any business wishing to protect its brand identity. A trademark can be a logo, a name, a symbol, or a slogan, all of which identify the goods and/or services of one party from those of others. Registration confers on the proprietor the exclusive rights to use the mark in India and to institute infringement proceedings against any impugned usage thereof. The process of registration is provided under the Trademark Act, 1999 and is administered by the office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks.
In India, all trademark registration activities begin with a search exercise to ascertain if the trademark is indeed original. The application is then filed online or physically through the Trademark Office. The process continues with examination, publishing the details in the Trademark Journal, and finally, registration if no objections are found. Once registered, trademarks remain valid for a period of 10 years and can be thereafter renewed forever. Trademark registration in India serves to protect brand value, consumer trust, and business credibility.