Trademark Public Search: How to Search a Brand Name on IP India

The Trade Marks Registry examines every application against marks already on the register. If an identical or similar mark exists for related goods or services, you'll get an objection, and possibly an opposition from the earlier owner after your mark is advertised. Either way you lose months, and the filing fee isn't refunded.

Ten minutes on the IP India public search tells you most of what an examiner will see. It won't catch unregistered brands that are already trading (those can still fight you on prior use), but it removes the obvious clashes before you spend money on a logo, domain or stock.

1. Open the public search page on the IP India trade marks website (ipindia.gov.in, then the "Public Search" link under Trade Marks). There is no fee and no login. People often call this the ipindia trademark search.
2. Pick the search type: Wordmark, Phonetic or Vienna Code (explained below).
3. For a wordmark search, choose how to match: Start with, Contains or Match with. Start with Contains, which casts the widest net.
4. Type your brand name and select the class (1 to 45) for your goods or services. Leave the class blank first if you want to see the name across every class.
5. Enter the captcha and search. The results list each mark with its application number, class, proprietor and status.
6. Click an application number to open the full record: the goods or services described, the date of first use claimed, and the examination and opposition history.

Repeat the search with spelling variants, the name split or joined ("Green Leaf" and "Greenleaf"), and any word you plan to add. Save screenshots of what you find. They're useful when you or your attorney draft the application.

The phonetic search matters more than people expect. The Registry treats marks that sound similar as conflicting, because customers hear brand names, not just read them. A name that passes the wordmark search can still fail here.

Trademarks are registered class by class: 1 to 34 for goods, 35 to 45 for services. A clash usually only matters within the same or a related class. "Sunrise" for paints (class 2) can coexist with "Sunrise" for a bakery (class 30).

• A clothing brand searches class 25. Add class 35 if it will also run an online store.
• A restaurant or cloud kitchen searches class 43, and class 30 if it sells packaged food.
• A software product searches class 9 (downloadable software) and class 42 (SaaS and IT services).

Not sure where your product sits? Our guide to trademark classes for goods and the class 35 guide cover the common cases.

To follow an application you've filed, use our guide to tracking trademark application status.

An identical name in your class with a "Registered" or pending status means you should change the name. Don't try to work around it. A similar name is a judgement call. Examiners compare the marks as a whole (look, sound and idea) and how close the goods are. Adding a generic word ("Sunrise Foods" against "Sunrise") rarely helps.

Also check beyond the register: the MCA company name index, domain names, marketplaces and social media handles. A business using the name without registration can still oppose you on the strength of prior use.

Once the search looks clear, file quickly. India works on first-to-file, and your rights date from the application. Government fees are ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 for others. See the full trademark registration cost breakdown. TaxQue's trademark registration service includes a professional search and an opinion on risk before we file.