Trademark

A trademark, also referred to as a trade-mark or trademark is a design, sign or expression which is easily recognizable. It is used in the identification of services or products coming from a specific source. Some trademarks, that can identify services, are known as service marks. Any legal entity, including a business organization or an individual, can own a trademark. The trademark can be present on a label, package, the product or a voucher. For corporate identity, some companies display their trademarks on company buildings.

The function of a trademark is to identify the owner of the brand for a specific service or product. One can license a trademark to others. For instance, in order to produce Smurf figurines, Bullyland received a license. The Lego Group bought a license from Lucasfilm. The objective was to come up with Lego Star Wars. You might also know that TT Toys is a manufacturer of replica cars for kids, that are licensed. The term ‘brand piracy’ refers to the use of unauthorized trademarks. This can be done by trading and producing counterfeit goods.

In case of trademark infringement, the trademark owner may go for a legal action. In most of the countries, registering a trademark involves a formal process. This is a precondition for taking legal measures against copyright infringement. In Canada, the US and some other countries, common law trademark rights are recognized. This indicates that the authorities can take action to prevent the use of trademarks, unless it is registered. Presently, the trademark owner can benefit from the common law trademarks in terms of legal protection, rather than registered trademarks.

How to apply for your trademark?

You need to produce the following during trademark application:

• The logo or word you want to use as trademark

• Power of attorney

• The applicant’s name, age, address, nationality, father’s name and contact details

• For a corporate, the authorized signatory’s name, age, address, nationality, father’s name and contact details are to be furnished

• Whether or not the owner is a partnership firm. If yes, you need to provide the name, nationality, address and contact details of all your partners.

• Description of the services or goods

• Specifying whether or not the trademark is proposed to be used, or already in use
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Process of registering your trademark

First, you need to search for a suitable trademark. We can assist you during this process, using our tools. Besides, you can also use the government’s tool for searching trademarks or identifying it under the same class.After completing the search, the owner needs to proceed to the process of application. This is based on the details of similar or identical trademark applications, that have already been filed.

• Once you obtain the import export license, you can benefit from various subsidies from the Export Promotion Council, Customs and DGFT in course of your business activities.

• The customs port or customs authorities would ask for the import export license while dispatching shipments from customs.

• In case you are an importer and want to send money outside your country through your bank, the respective organization would ask for your import export license.

• The bank will also ask for this document from exporters when they receive money in the form of foreign currency into their bank accounts directly.



Actions involved in registering the trademarks

1. Allotment of trademark application
When you file the application for the registration of trademark with the registrar, you will receive an allotment number within a couple of working days. Then you can track this application online through the search feature. When you get your allotment number, the TM symbol can be affixed beside the logo.

2. Vienna codification
During the Vienna agreement (1973), the Vienna codification was established. This is a worldwide cataloguing of the figurative elements of marks. When you file the application, this classification will be applied by the trademark registrar to the trademark. This process is based on the figurative elements present in the marks. During this process, you will notice that the status of trademark application shows ‘sent for Vienna codification’.

3. Examining the trademark
After completing the Vienna codification, an officer in the registrar office of trademark will be allocated with the application. This officer would be responsible for reviewing the trademark application for accuracy. Then an examination report would be generated for the same. The officer may object the application, or accept the same.

4. Trademark objection
If the trademark officer objects the application, the applicant may appear before him or her and address the objections. In case the applicant is able to justify the same, it would be permitted for journal publication. However, if the officer is not happy with the reasoning, the applicant may approach the Intellectual Property Appellate Board to appeal the officer’s decision.

5. Publication of the journal
Once the registrar accepts the trademark registration, the proposed sign gets published in the journal of trademarks. This is a weekly publication, that carries all the trademarks that the registrar has so far accepted. When it gets published, the general public will get an opportunity to raise an objection to a particular registration, in case they think that it would harm their business. However, if no objection comes up within 90 days of the publication, the trademark is registered within a span of 12 weeks.

If any third-party opposes the application for trademark registration, the trademark hearing officer will call for a hearing. The opposing party and the applicant can appear before at the hearing. Both of them can come up with justifications for the rejection or the registration of the application. On the basis of the presented evidence, the hearing officer would decide whether or not the application would be accepted. One can also challenge the hearing officer’s decision by approaching the Intellectual Property Appellate Board.

6. Registration of trademark
In case the trademark application faces no opposition or objection, the trademark registration certificate and trademark manuscript will be prepared. When the certificate of trademark registration gets issued, it is considered that the trademark belongs to the owner. In the process, the owner gets an exclusive right to use the mark. Now you can use the sign along with your logo.

Actions involved in registering the trademarks

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Frequently Asked Questions
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A trademark (popularly known as brand name) in layman’s language is a visual symbol which may be a word signature, name, device, label, numerals or combination of colours used by one undertaking on goods or services or other articles of commerce to distinguish it from other similar goods or services originating from a different undertaking. The legal requirements to register a trademark under the Act are:

• The selected mark should be capable of being represented graphically (that is in the paper form).
• It should be capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of others.
• It should be used or proposed to be used mark in relation to goods or services for the purpose of indicating or so as to indicate a connection in the course of trade between the goods or services and some person have the right to use the mark with or without identity of that person.
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If it is a word it should be easy to speak, spell and remember. The best trademarks are invented words or coined words or unique geometrical designs. Please avoid selection of a geographical name, common personal name or surname. No one can have monopoly right on it. Avoid adopting laudatory word or words that describe the quality of goods (such as best, perfect, super etc.).It is advisable to conduct a market survey to ascertain if same/similar mark is used in market.
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Any person, claiming to be the proprietor of a trademark used or proposed to be used by him, may apply in writing in prescribed manner for registration. The application should contain the trademark, the goods/services, name and address of applicant and agent (if any) with power of attorney, the period of use of the mark. The application should be in English or Hindi. It should be filed at the appropriate office. The applications can be submitted personally at the Front Office Counter of the respective office or can be sent by post. These can also be filed on line through the e-filing gateway available at the official website.
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Any name (including personal or surname of the applicant or predecessor in business or the signature of the person), which is not unusual for trade to adopt as a mark.An invented word or any arbitrary dictionary word or words, not being directly descriptive of the character or quality of the goods/service. Letters or numerals or any combination thereof.The right to proprietorship of a trademark may be acquired by either registration under the Act or by use in relation to particular goods or service.Devices, including fancy devices or symbols,Monograms,Combination of colors or even a single color in combination with a word or device,Shape of goods or their packaging Marks constituting a 3- dimensional sign.Sound marks when represented in conventional notation or described in words by being graphically represented.
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The Registered Proprietor of a trademark can create establish and protect the goodwill of his products or services, he can stop other traders from unlawfully using his trademark, sue for damages and secure destruction of infringing goods and or labels.The Government earns revenue as a fee for registration and protection of registration of trademarks The Legal professionals render services to the entrepreneurs regarding selection registration and protection of trademarks and get remunerations for the sameThe Purchaser and ultimately Consumers of goods and services get options to choose the best.
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The registration of a trademark confers upon the owner the exclusive right to the use the trademark in relation to the goods or services in respect of which the mark is registered and to indicate so by using the symbol (R), and seek the relief of infringement in appropriate courts in the country. The exclusive right is however subject to any conditions entered on the register such as limitation of area of use etc. Also, where two or more persons have registered identical or nearly similar marks due to special circumstances, such exclusive right does not operate against each other.
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• For filing new applications there are prescribed forms depending on the nature of application such as Form TM-1, TM-2, TM-3, TM-8, TM-51 etc. Fees: Rs.4000/ To file a Notice of Opposition to oppose an application published in the Trade Marks Journal (FormTM-5). Fees: Rs. 2,500/- for each class covered
• For Renewal of a Regd. trademark (Form TM-12 ). Fees: Rs.5,000/-
• Surcharge for belated renewal (Form TM-10).Fees: Rs. 3,000/-
• Restoration of removed mark (Form TM-13) Fees: 5,000/-
• Application for rectification of a registered trademark (Form TM-26) Fees: Rs. 3,000/-
• Legal Certificate (Form TM-46) (Providing details of entries in the Register) Fees: Rs.500/-
• Copyright search request and issuance of certificate (Form TM-60) Fees: Rs, 5,000/-.
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• The national statues i.e., the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and rules made thereunder.
• International multilateral convention.
• National bilateral treaty.
• Regional treaty.
• Decision of the courts.
• Office practice reduced in Manuals and guidelines and rulings of the Courts.
• Decision of Intellectual Property Appellate Board.
• Text books written by academician and professional experts.
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The register of trademark currently maintained in electronic form contains inter alia the trademark the class and goods/ services in respect of which it is registered including particulars affecting the scope of registration of rights conferred; the address of the proprietors; particulars of trade or other description of the proprietor; the convention application date (if applicable); where a trademark has been registered with the consent of proprietor of an earlier mark or earlier rights, that fact.
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But the basic principle is that the trademark applied for should not be substantially altered affecting its identity. Subject to this changes are permissible according to rules detailed in the subordinate legislation.
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It can be removed on application to the Registrar on prescribed form on the ground that the mark is wrongly remaining on the register. The Registrar also can suo moto issue Notice for removal of a registered trademark.
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