How to Read Trademark Journal in India – Complete Beginner’s Guide
November 17, 2025
How to Read Trademark Journal – A Beginner’s Guide
The How to Read Trademark Journal – A Beginner’s Guide topic is extremely important for every startup founder, businessman, designer, marketer, lawyer, CA, or CS who deals with brand names and logos. Most people think that once their trademark status becomes “Accepted & Advertised,” the work is finished. But the real truth is that after acceptance, the trademark enters a very crucial stage — the Trademark Journal, which decides whether your trademark will finally move forward for registration or face opposition. This journal is full of technical information, codes, details, classes, and descriptions, which many people find confusing. That’s why in this article, I will explain everything in a very simple and friendly tone so that even a beginner can easily read, understand, and use the Trademark Journal. By the time you finish this article, you will have complete clarity on the How to Read Trademark Journal – A Beginner’s Guide topic and you will confidently handle your trademark journey.
Why Learning to Read the Trademark Journal Is Important
If you don’t know how to read the journal, you may face several problems:
- You may miss errors in your trademark entry
- You may fail to detect similar marks filed by others
- You might not notice someone using your brand name
- You may lose the opportunity to file opposition
- You may not realize that your trademark is already published
So, learning to read the trademark journal is not a luxury — it is a necessary skill for protecting your brand.
What Exactly Is the Trademark Journal? (Simple Explanation)
Trademark Journal is a weekly publication issued by the Indian Trademark Registry every Monday.
It contains:
- All accepted trademark applications
- Re-advertised trademarks
- Details of logos
- Vienna codes
- Goods and services description
- Owner details
- Opposition window
This journal is available publicly on the government website.
Anyone can read it and check trademarks related to their industry.
How to Access the Trademark Journal
Many beginners don’t know where to find the journal.
Here is the simplest method:
Step 1: Visit the official Trademark website (IP India)
You can directly go to the Trademark Journal page on the IP India portal.
Step 2: Locate the latest journal
Every Monday, a new journal is uploaded.
Step 3: Download the PDF
The journal is usually large — hundreds of pages.
Step 4: Open and search your trademark
Use Ctrl + F (Search option).
This is the basic way to access the journal without any special software or tool.
Understanding the Structure of the Trademark Journal
Once you open the journal, you will see many sections.
Each section has trademarks arranged alphabetically or numerically.
Here are the important parts:
1. Advertised and Accepted Marks
These are trademarks that have successfully passed examination.
2. Re-advertised Marks
Marks that were advertised earlier but republished due to corrections or legal reasons.
3. Device Marks (Logos)
Trademarks containing logos, symbols, or graphic elements.
4. Word Marks
Simple textual trademarks without logos.
5. Classes
Trademarks are organized class-wise (1 to 45).
6. Proprietor Details
Owner name and address.
7. Goods and Services Description
What the trademark is used for (as per the Nice Classification).
Step-by-Step: How to Read the Trademark Journal
Now let’s break it into simple steps so anyone can understand it clearly.
Step 1: Find Your Trademark Application
Open the journal and search using:
- Application number
- Trademark name
- Owner name
Using Ctrl + F makes it easy.
If your trademark appears, confirm that the details match your application file.
Step 2: Check Your Class Number
Your class must be correct.
For example:
- Class 25 – clothing
- Class 30 – food items
- Class 41 – education
- Class 42 – software services
If your class is wrong, it can cause problems later.
Step 3: Verify the Spelling of Your Trademark
Small spelling errors can change the meaning.
For example:
- “MyLif” instead of “MyLife”
- “Speedo” instead of “Speedoo”
Such mistakes can cause opposition or rejection.
Step 4: Check the Owner Name & Address
Make sure:
- Company name is correct
- Proprietor name is correct
- Address is accurate
Any error must be corrected immediately.
Step 5: Read the Goods/Services Description Carefully
This part is often misunderstood.
Your description defines the scope of your protection.
For example:
“Software development services”
and
“Software download services”
mean two completely different things.
Step 6: Understand Vienna Codes (For Logos)
Vienna Codes classify logos based on shapes and elements.
You don’t need to memorize these codes, but understanding them helps:
Examples:
- 01.01 – Stars
- 02.03 – Humans
- 03.24 – Birds
- 05.11 – Leaves
- 26.01 – Circles
If your logo has a circle and leaf, the Vienna code will reflect that.
Step 7: Check the Status
The journal will mention:
- Accepted & Advertised
or
- Advertised Before Acceptance
Both are fine but used in different situations.
Step 8: Understand the Opposition Period
Once advertised, your trademark enters a 4-month opposition period.
Anyone who believes your trademark is:
- similar
- copied
- confusing
- misrepresenting
- infringing
- descriptive
- generic
can oppose it.
So, reading the journal helps you:
- track your mark,
- track competitor marks, and
- file opposition if needed.
Real Example (Simple Story)
Imagine your brand name is:
“BEAUTY ROOTS”
You applied for a trademark in:
- Class 03 (Cosmetics)
Your trademark is published in the journal.
You open the journal and search for:
➡️ BEAUTY ROOTS
➡️ Your application number
➡️ Your name
Everything looks fine.
But then you search the journal for similar marks and find:
“BEAUTY ROOT”
This is very similar.
If you do not oppose it within 4 months, someone else may get protection for a similar name, which can dilute your brand.
This is why reading the journal carefully is extremely important.
Common Mistakes While Reading the Trademark Journal
Beginners make many mistakes.
Here are the most common ones:
1. Only checking their own trademark
They forget to check for similar marks filed by others.
2. Ignoring spelling variations
For example:
- SUPERMART
- SUPER MART
- SUPER-MART
All are similar.
3. Not checking other classes
Some marks are filed in multiple classes.
4. Not checking logo similarities
Logos can be confusing even if names differ.
5. Missing re-advertised marks
People think if it is already advertised once, it won’t appear again.
Tips to Read the Trademark Journal Like a Professional
Here are some smart tips:
✔️ 1. Always check similar spellings
Like:
- K vs C
- EE vs I
- F vs PH
✔️ 2. Always check plural versions
Example:
- Nature Box
- Nature Boxes
✔️ 3. Check other classes (related classes)
For example:
- Cosmetics (Class 03)
- Beauty services (Class 44)
- Hair products (Class 05)
All are related.
✔️ 4. Look for phonetic similarity
Example:
- Amul – Amal
- ZARA – ZAARA
- Bata – Baata
✔️ 5. Read descriptions line by line
Many conflicts arise from descriptions.
✔️ 6. Use TM monitoring software
Your Trademark Search Pro can automate this.
How Big Brands Read the Journal
Companies like:
- TATA
- RELIANCE
- PEPSICO
- HUL
- GOOGLE
- AMAZON
have dedicated teams who check every journal publication to ensure no one registers a similar mark.
They aggressively oppose similar marks.
This protects their brand reputation.
Why This Guide Matters for Startups & Small Businesses
Small businesses think trademark is a simple process.
But the truth is:
Trademark is a legal asset.
If you don’t monitor it properly, someone else can:
- copy your name
- copy your logo
- dilute your reputation
- confuse customers
Reading the journal helps you stay alert.
Middle Reminder (As Per Your Requirement)
By now, you must have understood how important the How to Read Trademark Journal – A Beginner’s Guide topic is for protecting your brand and avoiding future legal problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is reading the Trademark Journal mandatory?
Not legally, but practically YES if you want to protect your trademark.
2. What happens if I miss the journal publication?
You may lose your chance to oppose similar marks.
3. Can I access old journals?
Yes, all old journals are available online.
4. Should I hire someone to read the journal?
If you have many trademarks, yes.
Otherwise, you can read it yourself using this guide.
Conclusion
In simple words, the How to Read Trademark Journal – A Beginner’s Guide is a must-know topic for every trademark applicant in India. If you understand how to read this journal properly, you can easily protect your brand from similar marks, avoid legal disputes, and ensure your trademark moves smoothly toward registration. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, learning to read the trademark journal gives you a huge advantage in trademark protection. That’s why every founder and business owner should master the How to Read Trademark Journal – A Beginner’s Guide to safeguard their brand identity.
Contact us: +91–9155–400–500
Email us: info@trademarksearchpro.com
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