Trademark Search Tool

Why Trademark Search is Crucial

Before investing time and money into branding, marketing, or company registration, conducting a comprehensive trademark search is mandatory. The IP India registry contains millions of registered and pending trademarks. If your proposed name is phonetically or visually similar to an existing mark in the same industry (class), your application will face an objection.

Understanding Trademark Classes

Trademarks in India are categorized under the NICE Classification system, which contains 45 classes (1-34 for Goods, 35-45 for Services). You only get protection in the class you file under.

• Class 1: Chemicals, industrial chemicals, fertilizers, resins, plastics, adhesives.
• Class 2: Paints, varnishes, lacquers, colorants, preservatives, natural resins.
• Class 3: Cleaning, polishing, laundry preparations, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, dentifrices.
• Class 4: Industrial oils, greases, lubricants, fuels, dust-absorbing and binding compositions, candles.
• Class 5: Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations, disinfectants, fungicides, herbicides.
• Class 6: Common metals and alloys, metal building materials, metal pipes, hardware, safes, ores.
• Class 7: Machines, machine tools, motors, engines, agricultural implements, incubators.
• Class 8: Hand tools, hand-operated implements, cutlery, razors, side arms.
• Class 9: Scientific, electrical, electronic, photographic, measuring and computer equipment; software and data-processing apparatus.
• Class 10: Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus, orthopaedic articles, artificial limbs and suture materials.
• Class 11: Lighting, heating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary apparatus.
• Class 12: Vehicles and apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water.
• Class 13: Firearms, ammunition, projectiles, explosives and fireworks.
• Class 14: Precious metals, jewellery, precious stones, watches and chronometric instruments.
• Class 15: Musical instruments.
• Class 16: Paper, cardboard, printed matter, stationery, office requisites, packaging materials, artists’ materials.
• Class 17: Rubber, plastics in extruded form, packing, stopping and insulating materials, flexible non-metallic pipes.
• Class 18: Leather and imitations of leather, bags, trunks, umbrellas, walking sticks, harness and saddlery.
• Class 19: Non-metallic building materials, rigid non-metallic pipes, asphalt, pitch, bitumen and non-metallic buildings.
• Class 20: Furniture, mirrors, picture frames and goods made from wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, plastics and similar materials.
• Class 21: Household and kitchen utensils, containers, combs, sponges, brushes, cleaning articles, glassware, porcelain and earthenware.
• Class 22: Ropes, string, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks, bags, padding and raw fibrous textile materials.
• Class 23: Yarns and threads for textile use.
• Class 24: Textiles and textile goods, bed covers and table covers.
• Class 25: Clothing, footwear and headgear.
• Class 26: Lace, embroidery, ribbons, braid, buttons, hooks, pins, needles and artificial flowers.
• Class 27: Carpets, rugs, mats, matting, linoleum, floor coverings and non-textile wall hangings.
• Class 28: Games, toys, gymnastic and sporting articles, Christmas tree decorations.
• Class 29: Meat, fish, poultry, preserved and cooked fruits and vegetables, dairy products, eggs, edible oils and fats.
• Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, flour, cereals, bread, confectionery, honey, sauces, spices, vinegar and ice.
• Class 31: Agricultural, horticultural and forestry products, grains, live animals, fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, plants, flowers and animal food.
• Class 32: Beers, mineral and aerated waters, non-alcoholic drinks, fruit drinks, juices, syrups and beverage preparations.
• Class 33: Alcoholic beverages, except beers.
• Class 34: Tobacco, smokers’ articles and matches.
• Class 35: Advertising, business management, business administration and office functions.
• Class 36: Insurance, financial affairs, monetary affairs and real estate services.
• Class 37: Building construction, repair and installation services.
• Class 38: Telecommunications services.
• Class 39: Transport, packaging and storage of goods, and travel arrangement services.
• Class 40: Treatment and processing of materials.
• Class 41: Education, training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities.
• Class 42: Scientific and technological services, research, industrial analysis, and design and development of computer hardware and software.
• Class 43: Services for providing food and drink and temporary accommodation.
• Class 44: Medical, veterinary, hygienic and beauty care, agriculture, horticulture and forestry services.
• Class 45: Legal services, security services, and personal and social services for individuals.

How to do a Proper Public Search

When you click the link to the IP India portal, use the “Wordmark” search type. Try searching with “Contains” instead of “Starts With” to catch all hidden conflicts. Also, search for phonetically similar words (e.g., if your name is “Kwik”, search for “Quick” as well).