Trademark Registration For LLP - An Overview

Shweta , Last updated: 24 February 2023  
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In India, trademark registration is a procedure for defending against rival infringement of a company's distinctive identification of a good or service. It is an intellectual property right that offers the company's brand, which is its intangible asset, legal protection. A company can stop others from using a mark that may lead to consumer confusion by registering a trademark in India.

The Trade Marks Act of 1999 and the Trade Marks Regulations of 2017 govern trademark registration in India. A trademark search must be performed to confirm that the mark is accessible, the proper trademark class must be chosen, the trademark application must be submitted to the Trademark Registry, and any potential oppositions or objections must be addressed.

The following are some examples of components that are frequently trademarked in India: business names, product names, logos, slogans, colors, sounds, and fragrances. As each class has distinct characteristics that affect the trademark's validity, it is crucial to select the proper trademark class for the products and services the company offers.

Businesses must register their trademarks in India to gain legal protection, build consumer loyalty and confidence, and prevent unlawful use of the brand's identity. A professional service provider, like MUDS, should be consulted in order to ensure a smooth and error-free registration because the process of registering a trademark can be complicated.

Trademark Registration For LLP - An Overview

Register As a Trademark With MUDS

These are the actions you may take in order to register a trademark in India:

  1. Do a trademark search: To make sure that no similar or identical trademarks have already been registered, it is advised to perform a trademark search before submitting a trademark application.
  2. Application for trademark filing: After doing a trademark search, you may submit an application for a trademark with the Trademark Registrar. Applications may be submitted offline or online.
  3. Application review: The Trademark Registrar will review the application to make sure it conforms with the Trademarks Act, 1999's requirements.
  4. Publication of the trademark: The Trademark Journal will publish the trademark application, if it is approved.
  5. Opposition proceedings: When the trademark is published, other parties have the chance to contest the registration of the trademark.
  6. Trademark registration: The trademark will be registered if no opposition is lodged or if the opposition is rejected.

Depending on the intricacy of the case and the Trademark Registrar's workload, the complete process of registering a trademark in India can take anywhere between 18 and 24 months. To ensure that the process of registering your trademark proceeds well, it is always advised to speak with a trademark attorney or agency.

Why Is the Importance of Trademark Registration?

The importance of trademark registration may be summed up as follows:

  1. Legal defense: Registering your trademark gives your brand legal defence and prevents others from using a similar mark or brand name. You are granted the only right to make use of the mark in connection with the products or services you offer.
  2. Brand recognition: A useful asset that helps establish your company and goods apart from those of your rivals is your trademark. You can safeguard the reputation of your brand and make sure that customers can quickly recognise your goods and services by registering your trademark.
  3. Company expansion: Registering your trademark may help you grow your company by giving you a solid platform on which to create brand recognition and into new markets. Also, it aids in developing credibility and trust with future clients.
  4. Licensing and franchising: Having a registered trademark will make the procedure more simpler and less complicated if you intend to licence your trademark or franchise your firm.
  5. Value and asset safeguarding: Your trademark has the potential to grow in value over time and may be a significant asset for your company. By registering your trademark, you may both safeguard this asset and make money off of it in the future by selling or licensing it.

Ultimately, registering your trademark is a crucial step in securing your company's name and reputation, establishing legitimacy, and gradually increasing its worth and notoriety.

 

What is the procedure to Register Trademark in India With MUDS

The following procedures are required to register a trademark with MUDS in India:

  1. To make sure the trademark you want to register is accessible and does not conflict with any already registered trademarks, you must first do a trademark search as part of the trademark registration procedure.
  2. Application for a Trademark: After doing a trademark search, you may submit an application for a trademark with the Indian Trademark Registry. MUDS can help you submit the application and make sure it is correct and comprehensive.
  3. Application review: The Indian Trademark Registry reviews each trademark application once it is submitted to make sure it complies with the necessary criteria for registration.
  4. The trademark is published in the Trademark Journal for a period of four months if the application is deemed to be in order, during which time any resistance to the registration may be lodged.
  5. The Registration Certificate is issued: The trademark registration certificate is sent out if there are no objections to the registration or if any objections are dismissed in the applicant's favor.

From completing the trademark search to submitting the application and reacting to any objections or opposition that may surface, MUDS can help you with every stage of the trademark registration process.

Trademark Objections

If the Indian Trademark Registry has issues regarding the trademark application, trademark objections may surface during the trademark registration procedure. These are a few typical grounds for opposition to trademarks:

  1. Similarity to an existing trademark: The Indian Trademark Registry may object to the application if the trademark is overly similar to an existing registered trademark or a pending trademark registration.
  2. Trademark that is regarded to be descriptive or non-distinctive: If the trademark is thought to be descriptive or non-distinctive, it may be challenged. A trademark that is too generic or well-known won't be able to identify your goods and services from those of competitors.
  3. Existing law violations: The trademark may also be challenged if it breaks any existing laws, for instance, if it is pornographic or goes against someone's moral or religious values.
  4. Inaccurate information in the application: If the application has any mistakes or omissions, it may be challenged.

You will get a notice of objection from the Indian Trademark Registry if someone objects to your trademark application. It is crucial to reply to the notice of objection within the allotted window of time, which is normally one month from the notification's date. By giving you legal counsel and assisting you in creating a response to the notice of objection, MUDS may help you reply to the objection.

Trademark Opposition

Other parties may challenge the registration of a trademark through the legal procedure known as trademark opposition. The third party may contend, through the trademark opposition procedure, that the trademark should not be registered for several reasons, including possible inconsistencies with their own trademark rights.

Following the trademark application's publication in the Trademark Journal, the opposition procedure normally starts. The Indian Trademark Registry will accept notices of opposition from third parties for a period of four months. The grounds for the objection must be stated in the notice of opposition, and the opposing party must also offer proof of their allegation.

Following the submission of the notice of opposition, the trademark holder has two months to submit a counterstatement in which they can defend their trademark application and present proof to counter the objection. The trademark application will be regarded as abandoned if a counterstatement is not submitted.

The Indian Trademark Registry will provide the third party a chance to reply after the counter-statement has been filed. To settle any disagreements, the opposition procedure may include a hearing before the Registrar of Trademarks.

The trademark registration application will be refused if the objection is successful. The trademark owner will get a trademark registration certificate if the opposition is unsuccessful, and the trademark registration will move forward.

If you are facing a trademark opposition, it is crucial to speak with an expert trademark lawyer who can offer direction and counsel on how to react to the opposition and defend your trademark rights. MUDS may help you reply to a trademark opposition by giving you legal counsel, helping you to prepare a response, and, if required, defending you at the opposition hearing.

What are the Documents Required for Trademark Registration Online India?

You will require the following documentation to submit an online trademark registration application in India:

  1. a JPG version of the trademark or logo you want to register. It should be a sharp, high-resolution photograph.
  2. a summary of the products or services for which the trademark will be used. To guarantee that the trademark is registered for the appropriate goods or services, it is crucial to offer a thorough and precise description.
  3. a document granting power of attorney (POA) to the trademark agent or lawyer who will represent you during the trademark registration procedure. The POA has to be notarized and signed by the owner of the trademark.
  4. Information on the trademark owner, such as their name, address, and country of origin. You must include the legal name and address of the owner if they are a company or other legal body.
  5. a copy of the applicant's identification and proof of address. These records are necessary to confirm the name and address of the owner of the trademark.
 

As soon as you have all the necessary paperwork, you may submit an online trademark registration application through the Indian Trademark Registry. In order to prevent any objections or delays in the registration procedure, it is crucial to make sure the application is precise and full. In order to ensure that all the necessary paperwork is in order and the application is submitted properly, MUDS can help you with the preparation and submission of the trademark registration application.

In India, a kind of business structure known as a limited liability partnership (LLP) combines the advantages of a partnership with a limited liability corporation. As an LLP is a separate legal entity from its partners, the partners' liability is only as much as what they invested in the LLP. The Limited Liability Partnership Act of 2008 governs LLPs.

The following are the steps to LLP Registration in India:

  1. Acquire Director Identification Numbers (DINs) and Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) for the chosen partners.
  2. With the Ministry of Corporate Affairs' (MCA) web portal, reserve a name for the LLP. The name must be original and unregistered with another Partnership or business.
  3. The LLP Agreement, which describes the rights and obligations of the partners and the administration of the LLP, should be filed with the MCA together with the other incorporation paperwork.
  4. Get the Certificate of Incorporation, which demonstrates the LLP's registration, from the MCA.
  5. Get the LLP's Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) and Permanent Account Number (PAN) from the Income Tax Department.
  6. If necessary, register for the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The LLP registration procedure can be complicated, thus it is advised to seek the help of a qualified service provider, like MUDS, to make sure the registration process is carried out accurately and on schedule.

The kind of application and the number of classes of products or services for which the trademark is being registered determine the trademark registration costs in India. The costs for various kinds of trademark applications are broken down as follows:

E-filing a trademark application for a single class of products or services costs INR 4,500 for individuals, startups, and small businesses.

  • A trademark application must be physically filed for a specific class of products or services and costs INR 5,000.
  • Added category of products or services: INR 4,500

Other than an individual, a start-up, or a small business:

  • A trademark application can be electronically filed for INR 9,000 for a single class of products or services.
  • A trademark application must be physically filed for a specific class of products or services and costs INR 10,000.
  • Added category of products or services: INR 9,000

It is crucial to keep in mind that these costs are subject to alteration and do not include expert fees for retaining a trademark agency or lawyer to submit the application. In addition, if any objections are voiced throughout the trademark assessment procedure, there can be extra costs associated with answering those concerns or submitting an appeal. MUDS can help you through the trademark registration procedure and provide you a straightforward cost structure that includes all necessary professional and government expenses.

Why MUDS?

The advantages of utilizing Muds for online trademark registration are listed below:

  • We take a close look at the TM directory.
  • We drafted the authorization letter on your behalf in order to register your trademark.
  • The classes you should apply for are guided by our professionals, who also fill up and submit your applications to the Registrar.
  • Throughout the online trademark registration procedure, you will receive the best assistance, and all of your queries will be answered. We keep you updated until the trademark registration process is finished.
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Shweta
(Partner)
Category Corporate Law   Report

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