Summary
The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, by its public notice dated 7 September 2026, has prohibited unauthorized use of the Indian Patent Office and Intellectual Property India logo, trade dress and government insignia. The prohibition extends to patent and trade mark agents and legal practitioners, and covers print, digital media, social media and sponsored search advertisements. Those already using the logo or deceptively similar designs have been directed to remove such material within seven days of the notice. Continued use may attract civil and criminal prosecution under four statutes, including the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. The notice also advises the public, startups and MSMEs to verify the credentials of IP service providers.
The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks has issued a public notice prohibiting unauthorized use of the official logo, trade dress and government insignia associated with the Indian Patent Office and Intellectual Property India.
The public notice was issued and published on 7 September 2026 by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The notice is titled “Prohibition on Unauthorized Use of Intellectual Property India (IPO) Official Logo, Name, and Government Insignia.”
Unauthorized Use of IP India Logo
The notice stated that the Controller General’s Office had come across individuals, agencies, corporate bodies, online legal technology platforms and unauthorized service providers using the official logo, emblem and design of the Indian Patent Office or Intellectual Property India.
According to the notice, such use had been found on websites, social media accounts, marketing materials, stationery and paid digital advertisements.
The Office described the Indian Patent Office and Intellectual Property India logo as an official government identifier representing the statutory authority under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
It stated that unauthorized publication, reproduction or display of the logo could create a false and misleading impression of government endorsement, affiliation or recognition.
Use by Patent and Trade Mark Agents and Legal Practitioners
The prohibition specifically extends to patent and trade mark agents and legal practitioners.
The notice stated that no person, business entity, digital platform, trade mark or patent agent, or legal practitioner may display, replicate, adapt or use the official IPO logo, trade dress or DPIIT insignia without prior formal written approval from the competent authority in the Controller General’s Office or DPIIT.
The restriction applies across different forms of communication and advertising, including print, digital media, social media and sponsored search advertisements.
Seven Days Given for Removal
The notice also directed persons and entities already using the IPO logo or deceptively similar designs to stop such use immediately.
It required removal of such material from websites, promotional banners, visiting cards, portals and application interfaces within seven days from the issuance of the notice.
As the notice was issued on 7 September 2026, the seven day requirement runs from the date of issuance stated in the notice.
Legal Provisions Cited by the IP Office
The notice referred to four statutes in relation to continued unauthorized use, misrepresentation or imitation of the official IPO logo:
- The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950
- The Trade Marks Act, 1999
- The Copyright Act, 1957
- The Information Technology Act, 2000
The Controller General’s Office stated that continued unauthorized use, misrepresentation or imitation of the official IPO logo would constitute an offence under these laws.
The notice further stated that non compliance would attract civil and criminal prosecution, administrative sanctions and reporting to law enforcement authorities without further notice.
Public Asked to Verify IP Service Providers
The notice also issued an advisory to the general public, startups and MSMEs using intellectual property registration services.
It asked them to verify the credentials of entities offering IP registration services and stated that they should rely on the official IP India portal for statutory filings, updates and communications.
The notice was issued in public interest with the approval of the competent authority.
Reference
Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, Public Notice: Prohibition on Unauthorized Use of Intellectual Property India (IPO) Official Logo, Name, and Government Insignia, No. CG/F/CGPDTM/DL-09/4590, 7 September 2026, Intellectual Property India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Official version of the Notice
For persons with blindness and others who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, an accessible Word version of the notice is available for download.
Accessible Word version of the Notice
Disclaimer
This post is based on the public notice issued by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks on 7 September 2026 and is intended for general information. An AI application was used to generate parts of this post based on user inputs and prompts.
