An organization can identify its products or services by using a name, logo, symbol, or brand, which is known as a trademark. It distinguishes a company’s goods and services from those of rivals. A company may provide a variety of goods and services under one trademark. The Trademark Law of India classifies trademarks used for different goods and services into 42 categories. A corporation that makes goods and offers services that fall under more than one trademark class is required to register its trademarks under each of those categories in order to secure safeguards for the specific category of products and services it generates For the purpose of protecting trademarks under several classifications of products or services, a business does not need to submit separate trademark applications. The trademark may file a single multi-class application for trademark to be registered under several classes of goods and services. Form TM-A is the trademark application needed to be registered for a number of different classes of trademarks.
Application for Multiclass Trademarks
To secure complete protection of trademarks against infringement, a multiclass trademark registration is required when you register a brand is used for services and products that fall into several trademark classes. For instance, the ABC Limited corporation uses the “ABC Limited” trademark to manufacture and market a variety of goods that fall under various trademark classes. Its products are distinct, thus in order to protect them, it needs to register a trademark in each relevant class.
A business may submit an application for a multiclass registration of trademarks since it is laborious and time-consuming to file separate trademark applications for registration for distinct classes. Using a multiclass registered trademark application, a business can concurrently file for trademark registration of more than one class of goods.
Can I File Trademark in Multiple Classes?
Yes, in India, a trademark owner may register their brand under more than one class of goods or services with a single application. This type of application is known as a multiclass trademark.
Understanding the Value of Trademark Registration
Trademark registration is an essential part of creating and registering a brand’s identity. Set your goods and services apart from that of your rivals, it gives you the sole right to use the brand name for registration and emblem throughout India. Furthermore, if infringement does happen, having trademark registration can give you a strong legal foundation to combat it and discourage future infringers. Essentially, creating and preserving the reputation of your company and market position is the main goal of trademark registration, not merely adhering to the law.
Handling Indian Trademark Registration Fees
Knowing the associated charges is the first step towards registering a trademark. The Indian government sets the fees, which vary according to the type of trademark and the applicant’s category. Trademarks Office (ITO). The charge for those client with has govt. MSME is Rs. 6,500/- for individuals, start-ups, and small businesses, which motivates them to safeguard their intellectual property. If the user does not possess a government MSME certificate, the cost per classes for larger enterprises is INR 11,200/- for a single trademark application, while the government fee is INR 9,000/-. By making trademark registration affordable for companies of all sizes, this tiered cost structure hopes to promote innovation and protect to register a brand.
Trademark Registration’s Digital Revolution
India’s trademark registration process has changed as a result of the implementation of digital procedures. In addition to streamlining the application procedure, the online e-filing method provides a financial benefits. Trademark registration is now more user-friendly and efficient thanks to this digital transition, which is in line with the government’s Digital India aim to modernize administrative procedures.
Step-by-Step Guide to Trademark Registration
There are multiple steps in the trademark registration procedure, and each is essential to the effective registration of your brand’s trademark. Together, we will look more closely at each step.
Procedure for Multiclass Trademark Registration
The process for submitting a multiclass trademark registration application is as follows.
Is it possible to transfer products or services between related single-class applications?
Yes, provided the application in which the item is being deleted was submitted before or on the filing date for the companion its application in which the item will be added, products or services form a single-class applicant may be transferred to a companion application. The general rule states that the identity of the goods or services as originally filed cannot be expanded. While adding an item to a companion application may potentially expand its reach, the scope of all single-class apps as a whole has not been expanded. Eligible single-class applications must be filed on the same filing date and for the same mark. Because of this flexibility, filing several single-class applications may be preferable to filing a multi-class trademarks application, particularly if any of the classes have Intent-To-have as their filing basis.