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

Introduction

A Trademark or logo is generally a symbol, word, or slogan that is used by a brand as a part of its identity. The ‘apple’ symbol of iPhones is an example of a Trademark. Every brand should go for Trademark registration; it gives you full control over your Trademark. This control not only lets you use your Trademark as required but also ensures that no one else can use your Trademark without your permission.

Besides, a Trademark also lets consumers differentiate between products and services from different businesses. Going in for Trademark registration in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is a great choice. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu as well as a major metropolitan city of India. In this article, we will be discussing the reasons why you should get Trade mark registration in Chennai for your business and the process involved.

What is a Trademark

A trademark is usually a visual mark, also commonly called a logo, that helps consumers distinguish the products and services of one brand from another. As to what can be Trademarked, businesses can explore when they go in for logo registration in Chennai. Such as for their business name, logo, colour combination of their logo, combination of numbers and alphabets, tagline, and so on. In certain cases, brands can go for trade mark registration in Chennai for unique usage of shape and even smell!

Why you should go for Trademark Registration in Chennai

If you are a business owner in Chennai, you will be aware of the kind of competition that exists amongst the growing businesses in the city. To protect your brand from your competitors as well as stand out amongst them, going for Trademark registration in Tamil Nadu for your brand is very important. Here are some of the major benefits of Trademark Registration in Tamil Nadu:

• Firstly, trademark registration in Tamil Nadu lets you protect your brand. You get to stop other businesses in Chennai from using your Trademark. Initiating trademark registration serves as a robust defence strategy for safeguarding your brand identity. It’s not just a legal procedure; it’s your shield against unauthorized use of your brand elements.
• Secondly, with trade mark registration in Chennai, you get the exclusive right to use your Trademark. This grants your brand distinctiveness. Securing a trademark registration grants you the exclusive right to use your brand elements. This is a powerful tool in establishing the individuality of your brand, setting it apart in a crowded market.
• Thirdly, if someone misuses your Trademark or a Trademark that is very similar to yours, you can easily take legal action against them. With a registered trademark, you possess the legal authority to take swift action against anyone using a similar mark. This legal recourse ensures that your brand remains protected against imitators.
• Finally, a Trademark is an additional asset that you can sell. This increases the value of your brand. Beyond its protective role, a registered trademark transforms into a tangible business asset. This asset holds tradable value, opening avenues for collaborations, and licensing agreements, and enhancing the overall financial worth of your brand.

Process of Trademark Registration in Chennai

The process for Trade mark registration in Chennai is quite detailed and requires the help of legal experts. To understand the Trademark Registration Process in detail, you should go through this article: Understanding Trademark & its Registration Process in India. In summary, it involves the following steps.

• First, you have to pick the apt Trademark class for registration of your goods or services.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Finally, you will receive your registration certificate if there is no opposition or if the Trademark registry finds your replies to the opposition to be satisfactory. After this, you can use the ® symbol next to your Trademark.

Other Important Things to Know

• There is a difference between the R (®) symbol and TM (™) symbol for Trademarks. You cannot use the R (®) symbol until your trademark is fully registered. However, you can start using the TM (™) symbol at any point for an unregistered Trademark.
• You can own a Trademark forever. However, every Trademark needs to be renewed every 10 years.

How to check TM Application Status

Following are the steps to check TM status after applying for logo registration in Chennai: 

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 Chennai

Trademark Registration carries two types of costs:

1. Government Fees: These fees depend on the business structure of the entity applying for Trademark Registration. 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: The fees vary from service provider to service provider.

Here is LegalWiz.in’s Packages:

Documents Required for Trademark Registration

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

• 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 Bangalore– Process, Cost, and Documents Required

Conclusion

Trademark registration in Chennai gives Chennai-based businesses an edge over their competitors. It not only helps them protect and grow their goodwill, but it also lets them grow their brand worldwide. It also lets you get into licensing deals with other brands and increase your own brand value. With the simple online process, going for Trademark registration in Chennai is a no-brainer.