Trademark Registration in Bangalore– Process, Cost, and Documents Required

Introduction

Trademarks, also popularly called Brand names or logos, is an intellectual property right that lets a brand create its own identity. You can generally Trademark a symbol, a word or a slogan. Nowadays you can also Trademark unique colours and smells, although they are quite difficult to Trademark. Trademark registration is essential for any business that wants to protect its brand. Going for Trademark registration in Bangalore or Bengaluru Karnataka for your brand is very important as Bangalore is full of various kinds of businesses. To stand out amongst the crowd of businesses as well as to be able to protect your brand, you must go for Trademark Registration. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about Trademark registration in Bangalore.

What is a Trademark?

A trademark, also popularly known as a brand name or logo is a visual marker that businesses use to help consumers identify their products within a sea of products, Now you must be wondering, what can be trademarked? Well, you can register various things as a Trademark, such as your logo, tagline, unique colour combination, or even unique shape! such as the unique shape of the Coca-Cola bottle.

Benefits of Trademark Registration in Karnataka

There are various benefits of Trademark registration in Karnataka. Some of the main are:

• Exclusive Mark: When you register your trademark in Bangalore it’s like having a special mark just for your brand. It’s exclusive, meaning no one else can copy it. This helps keep your brand safe and unique.
• Winning Trust: Registered trademarks aren’t just symbols; they’re trust builders. People trust brands they recognize. So, having a trademark makes your brand more trustworthy, as it shows the consumer that you have invested in your brand. It helps customers feel safe about choosing your products or services.
• Stand Out in the Crowd: In a busy place like Bangalore, where lots of businesses are doing their thing, a registered trademark helps your brand stand out. It’s like giving your brand a unique personality that people can easily notice.
• Valuable Asset: A Trademark is also a valuable asset. You can license your trademark or even sell it in the future if you choose to. It adds additional monetary value to your brand.

Why you should go for Trademark registration in Bangalore

Bangalore is commonly known as the Start-up hub of India. The capital city of Karnataka has experienced an IT boom in the last few years and has since become the home for most start-ups in India. Trademark Registration helps you protect your brand from any infringement as well as helps your products and services become identifiable for consumers. Here are some more benefits of Brand name Registration in Bangalore:

• Firstly, you get the exclusive right to use your Trademark. This grants your brand distinctiveness and lets you protect your brand as you get to stop others from using your Trademark. If anyone else uses your Trademark or a Trademark that is very similar to yours, you can easily take legal action against them.
• Secondly, It is an additional asset that you can sell and get into transactions for. This increases the value of your brand.
• Thirdly, it is also useful if you want to have a global presence. Once you have registered your Trademark in India, you can file for Trademark registration under the Madrid Protocol.

Process of Trademark Registration in Bangalore

The Trademark registration process is quite vast and requires the help of legal experts. To understand the process for brand name registration in Bangalore in detail, you should go through this article: Understanding Trademark & its Registration Process in India. In summary, it has the following steps.

Pre-Application

1. First, you have to pick the apt Trademark class for registration of your goods or services.
2. Secondly, you need to check if anyone else has already registered a similar Trademark. To check, you have to use the IP India Trademark website.

Application

1. Thirdly, you have to fill out and submit a Trademark application, either at the Trademark Registry or online on the IP India website. You can start using the TM symbol next to your Trademark after successful submission. LegalWiz.in can complete steps 1-3 within as little as 4 days.

Post-Application

1. The fourth step is for the Registrar to examine your Trademark and evaluate if it’s appropriate for Trademark Registration. They will either raise objections or approve the Trademark. In case of objections, you need a Trademark Attorney to file replies. You can also choose to not submit any reply and abandon the application.
2. Once approved, the Trademark is published in Trademark Journal. Any person who feels that this Trademark is similar to their Trademark is required to file an opposition within 3 months from publication. If you receive opposition, once again you need a Trademark Attorney to file replies to it. The Trademark registry will evaluate your replies with the other party’s statements and decide if you can register your Trademark. You can also abandon the application at this point by not filing any replies.
3. Finally, if there is no opposition or if the Trademark registry finds your replies to the opposition to be satisfactory, then you will receive your registration certificate. After this, you can use the ® symbol next to your Trademark.

You can own a Trademark forever. However, every Trademark needs to be renewed every 10 years.

Pro-tip: You cannot use the R (®) symbol until your trademark is fully registered. However, once you have submitted your trademark application, you can start using the TM (™) symbol.

How to check Trademark Class

For filing a Trademark application, figuring out which Trademark class is right for you is very important. There are 45  different classes under which you can register your Trademark. Your Trademark for your goods and services are only granted protection under the registered class. For example, if you register your trademark under the class for pharmaceutical products, you cannot bar someone from using a similar trademark for absolutely unrelated goods and services, for example for fashion apparel. 

How to check TM Application Status

The process for Trademark or logo registration in Bangalore takes some time, and several steps require you to respond, hence it is important to check your application’s status from time to time. Following are the steps to check Trademark status: 

1. Go to IP India online website, 
2. Select Trade Mark Application/Registered Mark from the left-hand side menu,
3. Select National/IRDI Number, 
4. After that, enter your Trademark Application Number, enter the captcha, and click on View Button
5. Now you should be able to see your Trademark Application Status. There will also be an alert showing the next steps.

Fees & Cost for Trademark Registration in Bangalore

Trademark Registration carries two types of costs:

1. Government Fees:  The one who is applying for logo registration in Bangalore, their business structure decides their government fees. Government fees are INR 4,500 if the applicant is an individual or sole proprietor. For non-individual applicants, generally, the fee is INR 9,000 (Exceptions exist for businesses with MSME or Startup India registration).  
2. Professional Fees: This varies from service provider to service provider.

Here are LegalWiz.in’s Packages:

Necessary Documents for Trademark Registration

The following are the documents required for Trademark Registration in Bangalore:

• Proof of Applicant: This includes documents such as PAN, Address Proof of applicant, and Certificate of Registration/Incorporation in case of applicants other than individuals. 
• Brand Name/ Logo/ Slogan: You have to provide the details of the Trademark that you’re trying to register.
• Proof of TM Use: Documentary proof such as invoices, registration certificates, etc. with the brand name/Logo. 
• MSME/ Start-up India Certificate: This works as proof of business. Additionally, partnership firms and body corporates (other than an individual) can avail 50% rebate on Government fees if they provide their MSME OR Start-up India registration certificate.
• Power of Attorney: You have to file TM-48. It is a legal document that allows a Trademark attorney to file the Trademark on your behalf with the Trademark registry.
• Board Resolution: Additionally, for private limited or public limited companies, it is mandatory to provide a board resolution from all the directors that allowed the company to apply for a Trademark. Private limited and public companies can only apply for a Trademark after receiving the approval.
• User Affidavit: Moreover, for claiming specific user data, you have to submit a user affidavit. This depends on the Trademark being registered. Your Trademark Attorney will ask for it before application submission.   

You may also be interested in this article: Trademark Registration in Chennai– Process, Cost, and Documents Required

Conclusion

In the 21st century, Trademark registration has become a necessity. With globalisation and the internet, brand visibility has increased manifold. While taking advantage of this visibility, it is also important to protect your brand and goodwill. From legal safeguards to exclusivity rights, a Trademark is a superhero when it comes to protecting one’s brand. That being said though, the Trademark registration process can seem a bit complex to the layman and it is best to use the help of a professional. Legal professionals at LegalWiz.in have years of experience in Trademark registration and can help you complete the entire registration process quickly and seamlessly.