Trademarking is an essential aspect that involves branding a product to prevent theft. Whenever a product has a mark on its name, it means that a unique sign has been allocated that gives it identification. This means that the person who originally came up with the idea will now have full control over the usage of the brand, logo, or the service that they have developed. There are a total of 45 categories for trademark registration in India and companies can choose anyone depending on what they want to get licensed.
It is important to remember that renewal of same is required in every 10 years, to keep enjoying the services. There are however certain terminologies involved and certain rules regarding the kind of things that a company can get officially trademarked. It is important to discuss these ideas to get a clear view of the subject matter.
#1 Understanding the Symbols
There are two crucial symbols when it comes to defining the concept under consideration. These are TM and SM and the words can often get overwhelming for a startup company.
TM is the one that stands for trademark and any company can put this symbol on their product, even though there might be a registration process undergoing. In most cases the categories that classify products that can be branded by this symbol fall in the classes 1 to 34.
SM on the other hand stands for service mark. This is very similar to the previous symbol, except this one is used when a company is providing a service instead of a product. Classes 35 to 45 usually define the ones that can use this symbol.
#2 Various objects that can be considered
A corporate lawyer in India can get anything trademarked. However, the object needs to be exclusive in terms of the value that it provides to the market and the government. The various objects such as names, numerals, signatures, devices, music notes, domain names, and coined words are liable for trademarks in India.
#3 Personnel who can apply
When it comes to applying for trademark registration in India, there is almost little to no restriction. Almost anyone who is an individual or is part of a company can apply for the same as long as their product or service falls under any of the categories as mentioned earlier.
#4 Price
Trademark fees are usually quite varied and they change depending on the market situation or the current government. Usually, the price ranges from 1500 rupees to 10000 rupees depending on the class or category of the product or service. A corporate lawyer can always fill in on the same for the person who wants to get licensed.
End Note
Getting something branded by a unique title might not have many rules and regulations; however, it is still a tricky procedure to manage. It is crucial to realize that the uniqueness of the product is vital and researching the already existing trademarks before selecting something is mandatory. Thinking of new and innovative names is one of the key ways to make something feel valuable and it is one of the first key steps to get something branded.