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This image depicts the 'Trademark' and 'Registered' symbols. This post is a part of a series on what marks are permissible as trademarks. Click on the image to read the full post.

Grounds for Refusal of Trademark Registration – Part III

This post was first published on 8th July, 2014.   In today’s post, we’ll be talking about Section 9(3), thereby concluding one half of the series, i.e., absolute grounds for refusal of registration of trademarks. Section 9(3) talks about the registrability of the shape of goods. As per the provision, a mark shall not be registered as a trademark if it consists exclusively of: Shape of goods which results from the nature of the goods themselves; Shape of goods necessary…

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The image reads 'Trademark Registration and Protection' with a heap of Trademark signs in the backdrop. This post talks about the process of trademark registration. Click on the image to read the full post.

Trademark Registration process – Part II

This post was first published on 7th July, 2014.   In continuation to my previous post, this post is with regard to trademark search and classification of different classes. A trademark search is required to be conducted prior to filing for registration of the mark. The purpose of conducting a trademark search is twofold: To understand and analyze the registrability of a trademark: The results yielded by a trademark search are used to understand the probability of registration of a particular…

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The image reads 'Trademark Registration and Protection' with a heap of Trademark signs in the backdrop. This post talks about the process of trademark registration. Click on the image to read the full post.

An In-Depth look at the Trademark Registration Process- Part 1

This post was first published on 2nd July, 2014.   A trademark is a sign that is used to identify goods and services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. It helps in distinguishing those goods and services from similar ones provided by another. For example, ‘Apple’ is the trademark that identifies goods and services manufactured and distributed by Apple Inc. The object of trademark law is to deal with the precise nature of rights, which a person…

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The image reads 'Trademark Registration and Protection' with a heap of Trademark signs in the backdrop. This post talks about the process of trademark registration. Click on the image to read the full post.

An In-Depth Look at the Trademark Registration Process – Part IV

This post was first published on July 10, 2014.   Now that we have had a look at the trademark filing process in the previous post, we will move on to discuss the trademark examination process. The process followed in the trademark registration process may be seen in the flow chart below (please click on image to view clearly): Continue Reading An In-Depth Look at the Trademark Registration Process – Part IV

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This image depicts the 'Trademark' and 'Registered' symbols. This post is a part of a series on what marks are permissible as trademarks. Click on the image to read the full post.

Grounds for Refusal of Trademark Registration – Part 1

This post was first published on 2nd July, 2014.   A trademark means a mark capable of being represented graphically, capable of distinguishing goods or services of one person from those of others. Hence for a mark to be registered as a trademark under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, it has to satisfy three requirements which include: It should be a mark It should be capable of being represented graphically It should be capable of distinguishing the goods or…

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The image depicts the REGISTERED logo

What NOT to DO While Applying for a Trademark

  This post was first published on 22nd June, 2012.   1.    Have a business? Applying for a trademark is a sheer waste of time. You must already be busy with routine chores of the business. Thinking of adopting a mark and going through the entire process of getting it registered is just tiresome and unnecessary. Business will boom if it has to. 2.    If you are thinking of a name for your mark, trying to adopt a descriptive name as your trademark will…

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The image reads 'Trademark Registration and Protection' with a heap of Trademark signs in the backdrop. This post talks about the process of trademark registration. Click on the image to read the full post.

An In-Depth Look at the Trademark Registration Process – Part III

This post was first published on July 07, 2014.   In furtherance to the earlier post, related to trademark classification and search, we will now discuss the trademark filing process. The procedure for registration of trademarks is contained in Section 18 to 26 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and Rules 25 to 62 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2002. A trademark application should be filed in the office of Trade Marks Registry within whose territorial limits the principal…

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The image depicts the number 35.

Should Every Business get a Trademark under 35?

This post was first published on 12th March, 2012.   Recently, an entrepreneur came to me for advice on obtaining trademark protection. The man said he runs a software development and services company and he found a competitor running a similar business in USA under a trademark that is identical to his. As a prior user, he wanted to protect his trademark but was unsure of what trademark classes he should apply under. I advised him to file applications under Class 9 for…

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The image has a word art "TM" standing for trademark. The post is about the question if registration is prima facie validity of trademark. Click on image to view post.

Trademark Registration: Prima Facie Evidence of Validity?

This post was first published on June 3, 2011. In a recent case, the Delhi High Court has categorically ruled that registration of a trademark is not prima facie evidence of its validity and thereby has created a slippery slope for most registrants of descriptive and less distinctive marks. The case related to use of the word mark ‘KRISHNA’ in relation to milk and milk products. The Plaintiff, by virtue of prior usership and prior registration claimed a permanent injunction against the…

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Trademark Registration in India

Trademark Registration in India

The Trademark process outlines in this post has changed owing to changes in law. It may be noted that the post provides details of the trademark registration process as it existed 10 years back, and maybe useful for research/educational purposes.Registration of a trademark is not compulsory. However, registered trademarks have additional benefits when compared to unregistered trademarks. Read more Continue Reading Trademark Registration in India

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