Trademark Registration
A registered trademark protects a business’s brand name, logo, or mark from unauthorised use and provides a legal basis to act against infringement. Hegde Hegde and Associates LLP provides trademark registration services covering search, application filing, and Trade Marks Registry coordination.
Partner reviewedDocumented processBengaluru office
Why Trademark Registration Matters
Under the Trade Marks Act 1999, registration grants the proprietor exclusive rights to use the mark for the registered goods or services and provides statutory remedies against infringement. An unregistered mark relies on common law protection, which is generally harder and more expensive to enforce.
As businesses build brand value, an unregistered mark carries the risk of being adopted or registered by another party, potentially requiring the original user to rebrand or pursue costly legal action.
Why Businesses Need This Service
- Launching a new brand name, logo, or tagline requiring protection before wider market use.
- Businesses that have been using a mark without formal registration and want to secure statutory protection.
- Expansion into new product or service categories requiring additional trademark classes.
- Concerns about a similar mark being used by a competitor or third party.
- Investor or franchise requirements for demonstrable brand protection.
- Renewal of an existing trademark registration nearing expiry.
Our Approach
- 01
Assessment
Conducting a trademark search to assess the mark’s distinctiveness and registrability.
- 02
Planning
Identifying the appropriate trademark class(es) for the business’s goods or services.
- 03
Documentation
Preparing the trademark application and supporting documents.
- 04
Execution
Filing the application with the Trade Marks Registry.
- 05
CA/Advisory Review
Independent review of the application and search findings before filing.
- 06
Compliance Verification
Monitoring the application status and responding to Registry examination reports.
- 07
Reporting
Updates to the client at each stage of the registration process.
- 08
Continuous Support
Advisory on renewal, opposition matters, and enforcement where required.
Scope of Services
- Trademark search and registrability assessment
- Trademark application filing across relevant classes with the Trade Marks Registry
- Response to examination reports and objections raised by the Registry
- Representation in opposition proceedings, where required
- Trademark renewal filing ahead of expiry
- Advisory on trademark classes relevant to the business’s current and planned activities
- Coordination with legal counsel on infringement or enforcement matters, where required
Business Benefits
- Statutory protection for the business’s brand name, logo, or mark.
- A clearer legal basis to act against unauthorised use by third parties.
- Reduced risk of being required to rebrand due to a conflicting registered mark.
- Improved credibility with investors, franchisees, and business partners.
- A documented registration timeline supporting brand-related business decisions.
Why Choose Hegde Hegde and Associates LLP
- Trademark search and application review coordinated with our broader business advisory practice.
- Practical guidance on class selection based on the business’s actual and planned activities.
- Proactive tracking of application status and Registry correspondence.
- A single point of contact for trademark matters alongside the client’s other compliance needs.
- Coordination with legal counsel where formal opposition or enforcement action is required.
Industries We Serve
Our trademark registration engagements support D2C and consumer brands protecting product names and logos, technology companies protecting software and service marks, and startups formalising brand protection ahead of fundraising or franchise expansion.
Technology & IT services
D2C & e-commerce
Manufacturing
Startups & funded ventures
Professional services
NRI individuals
Healthcare
Real estate
Financial institutions
NGOs & trusts
Hospitality
Education
Our Process
Each stage produces a defined deliverable, and nothing is issued to a client before the Chartered Accountant review stage is complete.
- 01
Discovery
Understanding the mark and the business’s goods or services.
- 02
Assessment
Conducting the trademark search and registrability review.
- 03
Documentation Review
Preparing the application and supporting documents.
- 04
Execution
Filing with the Trade Marks Registry.
- 05
Review
Monitoring and responding to examination reports.
- 06
Reporting
Status updates through to registration.
- 07
Ongoing Support
Renewal and enforcement advisory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trademark registration timelines vary considerably depending on whether objections or oppositions are raised, but the process from filing to registration commonly takes over a year where no objections arise, and longer where they do.
Trademark classes categorise goods and services under the Nice Classification system. Registration in India is class-specific, so protection applies only to the classes in which the mark is registered.
The ™ symbol can generally be used once a trademark application has been filed, to indicate a claim to the mark, while the ® symbol is reserved for marks that have completed registration.
An examination report raising objections requires a formal response within the prescribed timeline, addressing the specific grounds raised, which may include a hearing before the Registrar in certain cases.
A registered trademark in India is valid for ten years from the date of registration and can be renewed indefinitely for further ten-year periods, provided renewal applications are filed before expiry.
Discuss Your Trademark Registration Requirements
Whether you are registering a new brand mark or managing renewals and objections for an existing trademark, our team is available to discuss your specific requirement.
Content reviewed by CA Ramkumar Hegde, Partner, Hegde Hegde and Associates LLP.