TM Search

Who Needs This Service

Founders choosing a brand name, businesses launching new products, companies planning to file a trademark and those worried about infringement should run a search first. It is also useful for brand owners checking whether competitors have applied for similar marks.

Startups often fall in love with a name before checking whether it is available, and a search at the start saves rebranding costs later.

If you already operate under a name and have not registered it, a search can tell you whether someone else has filed, and how urgent it is for you to apply.

For important brands, a professional search with an opinion on risk is worth the cost.

Key Benefits

• Early warning of conflicting marks before you spend on filing
• Wordmark, phonetic and logo (Vienna code) checks across relevant classes
• Clear risk assessment and alternative suggestions
• Fewer objections and oppositions later
• Saves time and rebranding costs

Next Steps & Related Services

After the search, decide whether to proceed, change the name or file.

Related services: Trademark Registration, TM Application Filing, Name Approval/RUN and Logo Designing.

Common Mistakes

• Searching only the exact spelling.
• Searching only one class.
• Ignoring phonetic similarity.
• Assuming the register shows all uses of a name.
• Skipping the search to save time.

Timeline, Costs & Practical Tips

A basic search takes minutes on the IP India portal, while a professional report may take a day or two.

Practical tip: run searches for every spelling variant and for each class you plan to use before you finalise branding.

Additional Information

The Trade Marks Registry maintains the Register of Trade Marks, and the public search lets anyone check it. Under Section 11 of the Act, the Registrar refuses marks that are identical or deceptively similar to earlier marks for similar goods or services.

Practical Scenarios

Scenario 1:

A founder checks three candidate names and drops one that has a similar registered mark.

Scenario 2:

A brand owner uses a Vienna code search to check whether a similar logo has been filed.

Scenario 3:

A company expanding to new product lines searches additional classes.

Practical Guidance

A trademark search is most valuable when it is systematic: every spelling variant, phonetic equivalent and relevant class, not just the exact name. Record the results and the date, because they also help later if you need to explain why your mark is distinguishable.