With increased competition in the business world, it is extremely critical that you protect your brand. Trademark registration appears to be an essential strategic tool for any entity planning on business branding. Trademark registration India is a simple process and many start up entrepreneurs and businesspersons are curious to know how much does it cost? This blog explores each cost that is associated with trademark registration in India, and as such, creates that much needed awareness of expectations.
Why Trademark Registration Is Important
First, however, some words as to the utility of trademark registration needs to be said. Trademark is a unique quarry that separates an organization’s products or services from that of the rivals. Registering a trademark offers several benefits:
• Legal Protection: By doing so it provides the owner with sole rights to the use of the mark in a bid to prevent others from enquiring into its use.
• Brand Recognition: A trademark when registered adds value and credence to your brand, making it easier for customers to trust it.
• Asset Value: Trademarks can be vested and may even become valuable business resources, over time.
Cost Allocation of Trademark registration
Trademark filing cost in India is a summation of several primary features and varies with the status of an applicant, the number of classes that shall be covered in authorization and assistance from professionals.
1. Government Fees
Trademark registration expenses mostly consist of the government fee, which depends on what kind of applicant you are:
•Individual/Start-ups: Govt fee -₹ 4,500 per class of goods and services
•For Small Enterprises: The fee is also still going to be ₹4,500 per class.
•For Large Companies: It costs more to be a member of the course at ₹ 9,000 for each class that you take.
A class means a class of goods or services, which is part of the Nice Classification system. Trademark registration for businesses can cross different class, which essentially makes the process costly.
2. Professional Fees
Although anyone can apply for and obtain a trademark himself, many prefer to turn to professionals to help them with that. Freelance charges are flexible for professional charges ranging from ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 10,000. Factors influencing this cost include:
3. Additional Costs
Apart from government and professional fees, there may be other costs to consider during the trademark registration process:
• Trademark Search fees – It is advisable that you do the trademark search so as to evaluate the chances of violating trademarks laws and regulations, prior trademarked names. This service costs somewhere between ₹1000 and max upto ₹5000 depending on the provider.
• Renewal Fees: Trademark registrations are only valid for a period of ten years. It often corresponds to the application fee and is to be paid annually for tenth years of protection and so on.
• Objection and Opposition Fees: If there is any objection at the time of registration, legal representation fees may be charged to respond.
Application Process Explained
That is why the question of how much does it cost to register a trademark seems quite elusive.
1. Conduct a Trademark Search
File application only after carrying out the trademark search. This assist in making certain that your wished for mark is novel and minimizes the occurrence of objections when you are registering.
2. File the Application
When you are ready, the trademark application can be filed online at the official Intellectual Property India web-site, or using the assistance of an attorney. The most commonly used form is the SPICe form which caters for multiple registration in one application and is called the Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically.
3. Examination and Publication
After filing, the application lays before the Registrar of Trademarks for its examination. If not, it goes to the Trademark Journal for publication. Where there is any objection, the applicants is required to respond within the said time limit.
4. Registration
If the application complies with the requirements and no one offers an objection, then the trademark to be registered and a certificate will be issued.
So, to wind up, Before stepping into the registration process you must consult a trademark attorney and understand all related costs in detail with your application going through seamlessly. Security is a basic prerogative in our time protecting business from any threat and allowing them to grow without worry about their brand safety.