Trademark Registration Cost in India: A Complete Guide

Would you like to know how much it costs to register a trademark in India? Whether it is to safeguard a business name, trademark, or brand identity, it is important to know the full details of the trademark registration fees structure before you commence. 

JustStart simplifies trademark registration for startups, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs with complete transparency and expert guidance. This exhaustive blog will take you through all costs involved in trademark registration-the government requisite fee, professional fees, optional expenditures, etc.

What is Trademark Registration?

Before we go into the charges, let us first quickly understand the trademark registration process.

The trademark is the legal identity of your brand, and it can be your logo, the business name, the tagline, the name of the product, or any combination thereof. Registration under the Trademark Act of 1999 gives you the exclusive ownership of the trademark and legal protection against misuse by others, counterfeiting, or infringement. 

In the absence of registration, someone else may legitimately claim the brand elements. Thus, trademark registration is a low-cost investment offering high value to securing a brand in the long run.

Why Understanding Trademark Fees is Important?

The trademark registration fee can be an enigma to startups and small businessmen; hence, many hesitate and are unsure of it and end up delaying the registration process. Meanwhile, sometimes, a similar or identical mark to yours may get registered by somebody else, putting your brand's existence at risk.

Hence, why the preknowledge about costs turns so vital:

1. Good Budget Planning
When you will have been made aware of the entire fee structure, you will be able to set aside adequate funds and, thus, avoid cash flow bottlenecks during the registration process.

2. Avoid Unanticipated Expenses
If you know the entire gamut of expenses: government fees, professional fees, renewals, etc., you can be assured of no unwanted surprises.

3. Choose the Right Filing Strategy
Upon knowing the cost per class/mark, one can make a choice whether to register a logo, brand name, or both, and in how many trademark classes.

4. Protection against Overcharging or Fraud
Clear knowledge of fees can help you spot unscrupulous agents or excessive service charges.

Trademark Registration Cost in India

The total cost of trademark registration in India depends on several factors, such as the applicant type (Individual, Startup, Company), the number of classes, and whether a professional is hired.

This is a detailed table of all components of trademark filing fees:

1. Government Trademark Filing Fees

Note: Startups and MSMEs get a 50% rebate in trademark fees if they submit a valid certificate of recognition.

Trademark fees are per class; therefore, fees for registering one brand in more than one class have to be paid separately, for example, one for clothing and one for cosmetics.

2. Professional/Attorney Fees (Optional but Recommended)

Trademark filing can be done by yourself or via a trademark attorney. Hiring a professional ensures proper classification, search, documentation, and legal drafting.

At JustStart, we offer all-inclusive packages to cover end-to-end registration, starting from just ₹7999, including govt fees for startups.

3. Trademark Logo Registration Cost 

If you intend for your logo to be registered as a trademark, there is no additional cost if the logo is black & white or in grayscale; the exact representation has to be provided for registering a colour logo. The fee is the same for each class.

So, yes, the logo trademark cost equals fees for a standard trademark.

4. Trademark Search Fees (Optional)

Though not mandatory, it is highly advisable to conduct a trademark search before submitting an application. This helps to find out if any similar or identical trademarks exist in the same class of goods or services.

Self Search (online): Free via the IP India website

Professional Search: ₹500 – ₹1,500 (for greater accuracy and legal opinion)

A comprehensive trademark search would save your brand from future legal processes, such as objections to your mark by another party or rejection of your mark outright by the registrar. Numerous applications have been rejected just because they so closely resemble existing marks. By initiating a search, you can decide to okay another unfamiliar mark instead of your proposed mark to save time and filing costs.

5. Trademark Renewal Fees

A registered trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely every decade.

It’s recommended to renew your trademark 6 months before the expiry date to avoid surcharges. And, if you applied within 6 months after the expiry date, then the late fee will be ₹4500.

Trademark Registration Cost Difference of E-Filing vs Physical Filing

Total Cost of Trademark Registration

Here’s a quick estimation of the total trademark registration cost in India for various applicant types: Want a better deal? Contact JustStart for bundled offers on multi-class trademark filings.

Cost-Saving Tips for Trademark Filing

1. Register as a Startup/MSME

If you are recognized as a Startup by DPIIT or registered under Udyam (MSME) registration, then you qualify for a 50% rebate on government trademark registration fees. As against payment of ₹9,000 per class, the same will be paid at ₹4,500, thereby saving on other costs.

Ensure you submit valid recognition certificates at the time of filing to avail of this benefit.

2. Bundled Trademark Packages

Bundled trademark services from professionals like JustStart save you time and money. These packages usually include trademark search, filing, objection handling, and hearing support for a single, discounted price.

This not only saves money on piecemeal charges but also ensures the case is handled by experts from start to finish. 

3. Later might be too late to register

The earlier, the better. Delay in getting your mark registered can put your brand in danger, being similar or identical to a mark registered earlier, thereby culminating in a legal war or high-priced rebranding. Late registration also moves a step closer to objections or opposition by existing rights holders.

4. File Online via Authorized Agents

The online trademark submission through the official portal of IP India or an authorised agent is fast, cheaper, and reliable over offline methods. E-filing fees are comparatively less by ₹500-₹1,000 for each class, and one allots instant acknowledgement. 

Offline filing methods are time-consuming and expensive, and must be resorted to only when absolutely necessary.

Conclusion

Keeping trademark registration fees in mind is the first step toward smartly and affordably protecting any brand. Whereas government fees for trademark registration start as low as ₹4,500 and professional help can be hired at reasonable rates, trademark filing has become never-witness-any-time-easier.

At JustStart, we try to help you protect your brand identity without any legal jargon or inflated pricing. While you focus on pushing your business ahead, we will handle trademark registration.

If you are all set to start your Trademark Registration, then just contact JustStart or check out our Trademark Registration Services.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. Is there a difference in cost for wordmark and logo sign registrations?

No, both logos and wordmarks pay the same costs for a trademark in a particular class. However, if you have both and want to register each separately, then you need to file two separate applications, thereby doubling the cost.

Q2. Can I register a trademark myself to save costs?

Yes, you may file the application yourself through the IP India portal. DIY filings often get objections, probably due to wrong choice of classes or not proper documentation. Thinking of hiring a professional may seem to be an additional expenditure; however, such a step will save you time, money, and pain in the long run. 

Q3. Do I have to pay again if my application is rejected?

Unfortunately, yes. When the application is rejected and cannot be curatively dealt with, you then file a fresh application, paying anew the fees of trademark filing. 

Q4. What if I miss a trademark renewal?

You may renew the trademark within six months of expiry of the deadline on payment of late fees for renewal. Trademarks cease to exist if not renewed within the period of grace, and the legal rights therein are gone.

Q5. Is the refund of his fees possible if my application is withdrawn or abandoned?

No refund is given in any case; once paid, the government-trademark registration fee does not get refunded even in the case of the withdrawal of the application or if the application stands abandoned for non-compliance or for any inaction.

Q6. How many trademark classes can be applied for in one application?

You can apply for one or many classes, but every class has to be paid for separately. Thus, filing under two classes will mean double the government fee (plus any professional fees, if applicable).

Q7. Does international trademark registration require the payment of a fee?

Yes, since the international trademark registration process via the Madrid Protocol involves considerably higher fees, including WIPO handling charges and fees of individual countries. Fee structures of national level would not apply here.

Q8. Is there any fee for filing a reply to an objection by a trademark?

No additional fee is levied by the Government against the filing of a reply to a trademark objection. However, if a professional fee is sought, then professional charges may range from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 depending upon the complexity of preparing the reply.

Q9. Can I claim MSME or Startup fee benefits if I’m a sole proprietor? 

Yes, if you're a sole proprietor who is registered with the MSME or a Startup registered with the DPIIT, then you are eligible to pay the concessional fee of ₹4,500 per class instead of ₹9,000 per class. 

Q10. Are there any other fees that need to be paid after filing for trademark registration?

After the first filing, there are no further government fees unless:

• You need to respond to the objections/hearings(may involve legal charges),
• You renew after 10 years,
• You amend or rectify anything related to the trademark