Trademark Registration in Delhi

Are you looking for Trademark Registration in Delhi?

Greetings, fellow entrepreneurs and business owners in Delhi! My name is CA Bhuvnesh Kumar Goyal, a practicing Chartered Accountant and a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (membership number 540126).

In today’s competitive market, safeguarding your brand identity is crucial, and that’s where trademark registration in Delhi comes into play. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my expertise on the subject and help you navigate the nitty-gritty of registering your trademark.

We are a practicing CA in Delhi and our professionals are providing trademark registration services since 2009. For more queries, you can contact us at our email ID [email protected] or our Mobile/Whatsapp number 9971782649

So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

The ABCs of Trademark Registration in Delhi

What is a Trademark?

A trademark registration in Delhi is a distinctive sign, symbol, or expression that uniquely identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of a company from those of others. It could be a name, logo, slogan, or a combination thereof, providing legal protection against unauthorized use by competitors.

Why is Trademark Registration Crucial ?

Here’s a quick rundown of the key benefits of trademark registration in Delhi:

  • Legal protection against unauthorized use or infringement
  • Exclusive rights to use the trademark in Delhi and throughout India
  • Enhances brand value and recognition
  • Provides a solid foundation for global trademark registration

Types of trademark

Trademarks can be classified into several types, including:

  • Word Marks: A word mark is a trademark that consists of a word or a combination of words, without any design element. Examples of word marks include “Coca-Cola” and “Microsoft.”

  • Symbol Marks: A symbol mark is a trademark that consists of a design element or logo. Examples of symbol marks include the Apple logo and the Nike swoosh.

  • Combination Marks: A combination mark is a trademark that consists of both words and design elements. Examples of combination marks include the Starbucks logo and the McDonald’s arches.

  • Service Marks: A service mark is a type of trademark that is used to identify and distinguish the services of one person or entity from those of others. Service marks are often used by companies that offer services, such as consulting or legal services.

  • Collective Marks: A collective mark is a trademark that is used by members of a particular group, such as a trade association or a cooperative. Collective marks are used to indicate membership in the group and to distinguish the goods or services provided by group members from those provided by others.

  • Certification Marks: A certification mark is a type of trademark that is used to certify the origin, material, mode of manufacture, quality, accuracy, or other characteristics of goods or services. Certification marks are used by authorized users to indicate that the goods or services meet certain standards.

It is important to note that trademarks must be distinctive and cannot be deceptive, confusingly similar to an existing trademark or against public policy or morality. Additionally, certain trademarks, such as those that are scandalous or disparaging, cannot be registered.

The Roadmap to Trademark Registration in Delhi

Preliminary Steps

Before proceeding on your trademark registration journey, the following exercise needs to be carried out first:

  1. Choose a unique and distinctive trademark
  2. Conduct a trademark search to avoid potential conflicts
  3. Determine the appropriate trademark class(es) for your goods or services

The Registration Process

The process of trademark registration in Delhi consists of the following steps:

  1. Filing the trademark application
  2. Examination by the Registrar
  3. Publication in the Trademark Journal
  4. Opposition (if any)
  5. Issuance of the Registration Certificate

Post-registration Maintenance

Once your trademark is registered, you must:

  1. Use the trademark consistently and accurately
  2. Renew the registration every 10 years
  3. Vigilantly monitor for potential infringement

Our Process for Trademark Registration in Delhi

Submission of documents

The following documents and details need to be submitted to our email [email protected] or whatsapp 9971782649:

  • Your PAN Card
  • Your Aadhar Card (Both Side)
  • Name and Logo to be applied for Trademark Registration (if you do not have a logo, then we can help you with the designing of your logo in accordance with the name and class)
  • A small brief about Nature of business activity and what exactly the name is all about.
Some other documents in case of a company applying for trademark in the capacity of a company:
  • Company Incorporation Documents such as Company PAN Card, MOA, AOA and Incorporation Certificate. If you do not have any company registered in Delhi, and desire to get it registered, then we can help you with the your Company Registration in Delhi with CA in Delhi.
  • MSME Registration: This is required to avail the discounted government fee. Otherwise, the government fee in case of company gets increased to Rs 9000. In case you do not have a MSME Registration, then we can help you with the same if required.

Trademark Search

On receipt of the documents and the details we will run a trademark search in the respective class of trademark for its availability. If no similar trademark is already registered then we will giveit a go ahead for the next step or else we will brainstorm with you about the possible suitable alternatives. This entire process may take upto 1 day in accordance with the time required for brainstorming.

The objective of this step is to finalise the name to be applied for trademark which is not similar to any other already registered trademark and which has the possibility of getting approved.

Trademark Application and Deposit of Challan

Once the name & logo is finalised the next step for trademark registration in Delhi would be to prepare the application for trademark and deposit the challan of Rs 4500 with the Government with the application form for its approval.

It takes approx. 1 day to complete the entire application and deposit of Challan making it a total of approx 2 working days to complete the entire process from our end.

At this step, you will receive a copy of trademark application with the copy of challan which will contain all the details such as date of deposit of application, amount of fee deposited to the government, name and class of trademark applied for etc.

Approval of Trademark

After the application and challan is deposited with the Government, the application will be examined by the registrar. If the application is in order then he will publish the same in Trademark Journal for any opposition from the public. If no opposition is raised by anyone then the trademark is granted.

It usually takes approx 6 months in case no opposition is raised. Further, the same might get extended to 2 years in case any opposition is raised by anyone.

Renewal

Once the trademark is approved, it is to be renewed every 10 years. We will get in touch with you through a notification 1 year in advance so that the process can be initiated properly for its renewal

Difference between trademark, copyright and patent

AttributeTrademarkCopyrightPatent
DefinitionA unique sign, logo, or phrase that identifies products or services provided by a particular person or company and distinguishes them from others.Legal protection for original works of authorship, including literary, artistic, musical, and certain other intellectual works.Legal protection for new inventions, discoveries, or improvements that are novel, non-obvious, and useful.
PurposeProtect brand identity and prevent consumer confusion.Protect creative expression and prevent unauthorized copying.Encourage innovation by granting exclusive rights to inventors for a limited time.
ExamplesCompany logos, brand names, slogans, or symbols.Books, paintings, photographs, movies, songs, software.Machines, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing processes.
Duration of Protection10 years, renewable indefinitely for subsequent periods of 10 years.Life of the author plus 60 years (in India; may vary by country).20 years from the date of filing (in India; may vary by country).
RegistrationOptional, but registration provides additional legal benefits and protection.Not mandatory, but registration provides prima facie evidence of ownership.Mandatory for obtaining protection.
Governing Laws (India)Trademarks Act, 1999.Copyright Act, 1957.Patents Act, 1970.

Supreme Court in one of the cases on trademark

In the case of M/S Nandhini Deluxe v. M/S Karnataka Co-Operative Milk Producers Federation Ltd. the issue arose before Supreme Court of India that whether the appellant’s use of the trademark “NANDHINI” for their restaurant services was likely to cause confusion and deception among the public, given the respondent’s prior use of the “NANDINI” trademark for milk and milk products.

The Court observed that there was a clear similarity between the trademarks “NANDHINI” and “NANDINI” and that the two marks were phonetically similar. Additionally, the Court noted that the respondent had been using the “NANDINI” trademark for milk and milk products for a longer period and had acquired significant goodwill and reputation.

The Court held that the appellant’s use of the “NANDHINI” trademark for their restaurant services was likely to cause confusion and deception among the public, as they might believe that the appellant’s services were associated with the respondent’s products. Consequently, the Court concluded that the appellant’s application for the “NANDHINI” trademark could not be granted.

FAQ's

Who can apply for a trademark registration in Delhi ?

Any individual, company, partnership firm, or legal entity can apply for a trademark registration in Delhi, provided they use or intend to use the trademark in their business.

How long is a trademark registration valid in Delhi?

A trademark registration in Delhi is valid for ten years from the date of application. You can renew the registration indefinitely for subsequent periods of ten years by paying the applicable renewal fees.

Can a registered trademark be transferred or assigned?

Yes, a registered trademark can be transferred or assigned to another person or entity. A Deed of Assignment must be executed between the parties, and the transfer should be recorded with the Trademark Office.

What are the remedies available in case of trademark infringement?

In case of trademark infringement, the owner of the registered trademark can take legal action against the infringer. Remedies available include injunctions, damages or account of profits, delivery up of the infringing goods, and legal costs. Criminal remedies like fines and imprisonment may also be available in some cases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trademark registration in Delhi is a vital step for businesses and individuals to protect their brand identity and prevent unauthorized use by competitors. By engaging the expert services of CA Bhuvnesh Kumar Goyal (Membership No. 540126), a practicing Chartered Accountant with extensive knowledge in intellectual property matters, clients can ensure a smooth registration process and benefit from professional guidance. By securing a registered trademark, businesses can build a strong foundation for their brand, maintain consumer trust, and safeguard their hard-earned reputation in the competitive market landscape.