A trademark is a distinctive sign, symbol, or expression that identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of one business from those of others. Trademark registration provides legal protection and exclusive rights to use your brand identity, helping you build trust and prevent others from using similar marks.
A trademark is a unique symbol, word, phrase, design, or combination thereof that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services. Trademark registration is the legal process of officially recording your trademark with the appropriate government authority, granting you exclusive rights to use the mark in connection with your goods or services.
Our streamlined process ensures quick and hassle-free trademark registration:
Perform a comprehensive search to ensure your trademark is unique and doesn't conflict with existing registrations. This helps avoid objections and increases approval chances.
Submit the trademark application (Form TM-A) with all required documents and fees to the Trademark Registry. Choose the appropriate trademark class and provide detailed descriptions.
The Trademark Registrar examines the application for compliance with legal requirements and potential conflicts. This process typically takes 3-6 months.
If approved, the trademark is published in the Trademark Journal for public opposition. Third parties have 4 months to file objections.
If no objections are raised or successfully resolved, the Trademark Registry issues the registration certificate, granting exclusive rights for 10 years.
The Nice Classification system divides goods and services into 45 classes (1-34 for goods, 35-45 for services). Here's a comprehensive overview of all trademark classes:
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical Products |
| 2 | Paints |
| 3 | Cosmetics |
| 4 | Industrial Oils |
| 5 | Pharmaceuticals |
| 6 | Common Metals |
| 7 | Machines |
| 8 | Hand Tools |
| 9 | Scientific Apparatus |
| 10 | Medical Apparatus |
| 11 | Apparatus for Lighting |
| 12 | Vehicles |
| 13 | Firearms |
| 14 | Jewelry |
| 15 | Musical Instruments |
| 16 | Paper Goods |
| 17 | Rubber Goods |
| 18 | Leather Goods |
| 19 | Building Materials |
| 20 | Furniture |
| 21 | Household Utensils |
| 22 | Ropes |
| 23 | Yarns |
| 24 | Textiles |
| 25 | Clothing |
| 26 | Lace and Embroidery |
| 27 | Carpets |
| 28 | Games and Sports |
| 29 | Meat and Fish |
| 30 | Staple Foods |
| 31 | Agricultural Products |
| 32 | Beer and Beverages |
| 33 | Alcoholic Beverages |
| 34 | Tobacco Products |
| 35 | Advertising and Business |
| 36 | Financial Services |
| 37 | Building Construction |
| 38 | Telecommunications |
| 39 | Transportation |
| 40 | Treatment of Materials |
| 41 | Education and Entertainment |
| 42 | Computer and Scientific |
| 43 | Hotels and Restaurants |
| 44 | Medical and Veterinary |
| 45 | Legal and Security Services |
Find answers to common questions about trademark registration, process, benefits, requirements, and legal protection.
Yes, individuals, companies, partnerships, trusts, and other legal entities can register trademarks. The applicant must be the owner of the trademark and intend to use it in connection with goods or services.
The trademark registration process typically takes 12-18 months from application to registration certificate issuance. This includes examination, publication, and opposition periods.
While not mandatory, trademark registration provides legal protection and exclusive rights. Without registration, you have limited protection and cannot prevent others from using similar marks.
Yes, there are several types of trademarks including word marks, device marks, sound marks, shape marks, collective marks, and service marks, each serving different purposes in brand protection.
If your trademark is similar to an existing one, it may face objections or opposition. The Trademark Registry will examine for conflicts and may reject applications that could cause confusion among consumers.
Yes, trademarks and logos can coexist. A logo can be registered as a device mark, while the business name can be registered as a word mark, providing comprehensive brand protection.
Trademark protection extends to phonetically similar names that could cause confusion. The Trademark Registry examines applications for phonetic similarity to prevent consumer confusion.
TM symbol indicates that a trademark application has been filed but not yet registered. ® symbol indicates that the trademark is officially registered and provides full legal protection.
Generic keywords cannot be trademarked, but distinctive combinations or stylized versions of keywords can be registered if they meet distinctiveness requirements and are used in commerce.
Trademark renewal can be filed before expiry or within 6 months after expiry. Late renewal attracts additional fees, and failure to renew results in trademark cancellation.
Significant changes to a trademark require a new application. Minor changes may be allowed through trademark rectification procedures, but substantial modifications need fresh registration.
Trademark classes categorize goods and services into 45 classes. You must specify which classes your trademark applies to, and protection is limited to those specific classes.
The opposition period is 4 months from the date of publication in the Trademark Journal. During this time, third parties can file objections to prevent registration.
No, trademark and copyright are separate forms of intellectual property. Trademark protects brand identity, while copyright protects original creative works. You need separate registrations for each.
Unregistered trademarks have limited protection. Others may use similar marks unless you can prove prior use and reputation. Registration provides stronger legal protection and exclusive rights.
Trademarks don't require regular updates, but you must renew them every 10 years. You should also update contact information and address changes with the Trademark Registry.
Yes, trademark assignment requires filing fees with the Trademark Registry. The fees vary based on the type of assignment and must be paid when recording the transfer.
Yes, the Trademark Registry maintains a searchable database where you can check existing trademarks before filing your application to avoid conflicts.
Yes, similar names can coexist in different trademark classes if they don't cause confusion. However, famous trademarks may have protection across multiple classes.
If your trademark is challenged through opposition or cancellation proceedings, you can defend it by providing evidence of distinctiveness, prior use, or other legal arguments.
For personalized assistance, our trademark experts can guide you through the entire process and answer all your queries.