How to Do a Trademark Search Online in India — Step-by-Step Guide

Starting a business or launching a brand in India? One of the most important steps before spending on branding, printing, or marketing is to perform a trademark search. Checking whether your brand name or logo is unique can save you from legal disputes, unnecessary costs, and brand confusion later.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to do a trademark search online in India, understand search results, and get tips on making the process faster and more reliable.

1. Start with the official trademark search portal

The official trademark search portal of India is maintained by the Government of India and contains all applications and registrations.

Here, you can perform:

• Wordmark search for brand names

• Vienna code search for logos

• Phonetic search for sound-alike names

If you are checking a name, start with the Wordmark option. Always begin with this portal to avoid missing existing trademarks.

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• Image: Person using a laptop for legal research

• Alt text: “Doing trademark search on laptop in India”

• Caption: Start your search on the official portal to avoid conflicts.

2. Select the correct trademark class

Every product or service in India falls under one of 45 trademark classes. Choosing the right class is critical for accurate results.

For example:

• Clothing → Class 25

• Restaurants & food services → Class 43

• Software/services → Classes 9, 35, 42

Check the full guide on trademark classes to select the class that fits your business. Picking the wrong class can lead to conflicts being missed or invalid registration.

3. Enter your brand name carefully

Type your exact brand name in the search box. Also try:

• Variations in spelling

• Spaces or hyphens

• Phonetically similar names

This ensures that you don’t miss conflicting marks that look or sound similar. For example, searching “ShubhBakes” should also consider “ShubhaBakes”.

SEO tip: Include your brand name and main keyword (like trademark search India) naturally in the first 100 words for better ranking.

4. Understand the search results

Search results show: application number, proprietor, class, and status. Common statuses:

If a name looks confusingly similar to yours, consider changing your brand name or consulting a legal consultant before proceeding.

5. Use professional tools for faster and accurate results

While the government portal is free, interpreting results can be tricky. Platforms like Trademark Search Pro can:

• Detect phonetic and visual similarities

• Generate a search report with risk analysis

• Suggest appropriate classes

This is especially useful for startups that want a quick, reliable, and actionable report.

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• Image: Infographic showing search → analyze → report

• Alt text: “Step-by-step trademark search in India”

• Caption: Use professional tools to save time and avoid mistakes.

6. Don’t forget logos

Even if your name is unique, your logo may conflict with an existing mark. Use the logo search (Vienna code) or Trademark Search Pro logo feature to check for visual similarities. A logo too similar to a registered one can be legally challenged.

7. What to do if conflicts are found

If a conflicting mark appears:

• Do not use the same or confusingly similar name

• Modify your name or logo to make it unique

• Consult a regional consultant if needed

Even abandoned marks require careful checking for similar active trademarks.

8. Consider multiple classes if applicable

If your business spans multiple products or services, register in multiple classes. For instance, a clothing brand selling both garments and e-commerce services may need Class 25 and Class 35 registration.

Our guide on trademark registration explains which classes you may require.

9. Filing — DIY or with professional help

After confirming uniqueness, you can file the trademark yourself, or hire professional help. Filing mistakes can delay registration or cause rejection. Reliable partners include:

• RegistrationExpert for filing assistance

• CorporateLegalGuru for legal support

• RegistrationMakers for end-to-end services

Regional offices can help with local documentation:

• PatnaConsultant

• LucknowConsultant

• NewDelhiConsultant

10. Track the status and respond promptly

Keep checking your application via the status tracker. Timely responses to objections or hearing notices are critical. Ignoring them may result in abandonment.

SEO Tip: Include long-tail keywords like trademark status India in headings or bullets.

Practical Checklist Before Filing

• Did you check exact and similar names?

• Did you check logo similarity?

• Are classes chosen correctly?

• Did you review famous marks?

• Is filing plan ready (DIY or professional)?

• Will you track status regularly?

Conclusion

A small trademark search today prevents big headaches tomorrow. Use the official portal, check multiple variations, analyze results carefully, and consider professional help if needed.

By following these steps, your brand will have legal protection, uniqueness, and credibility, giving you peace of mind to grow your business.