A pre-filing trademark search saves time, money and rejections. Here's exactly how to check if your brand name or logo is available — using the IP India public database.
Filing a trademark without searching first is like buying a property without checking the title. Most rejections in India are not random — they're because someone else has already registered an identical or deceptively similar mark. The good news: India's IP database is free and public. Here's how to use it. Taxpex handles trademark registration end-to-end if you'd rather have a CA do the filing.
The Trade Marks Registry runs a free Public Search facility at ipindia.gov.in → Trade Marks → Public Search. It allows three search types: Wordmark, Phonetic and Vienna Code (for logos).
Phonetic search returns marks that sound similar to yours — 'Kwik' would surface 'Quick'. This is critical: many rejections under Section 11 are based on phonetic similarity rather than spelling.
Always run a phonetic search alongside a wordmark search. Most amateur searches skip this and miss the real conflicts.
If you're filing a device mark (logo), the Vienna Codes classify visual elements. Search for marks with similar visual codes in your class to surface visually similar logos.
Beyond the IP database, check whether the .com / .in domain and the major social media handles are available. A brand name with no available digital footprint is rarely worth defending.
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Registered | Active trademark — usually a blocker |
| Objected | Pending with Examination Report — may be revived |
| Abandoned / Refused | Generally safe — but check reason |
| Withdrawn | Safe to file |
| Opposed | Currently in opposition — high-risk |
| Removed | Renewal lapsed — restorable for 1 year |
A name being free on the database doesn't guarantee registration — Section 9 (descriptiveness, distinctiveness) and Section 11 (similarity) are still subjective grounds the examiner applies.
If your DIY search returns conflicting results, similar phonetic marks or you're filing in multiple classes, an IP expert's opinion can save months of trouble. Taxpex includes a free expert search and clearance opinion with every filing.
It is the most authoritative source, but has a 1–3 month lag for recent applications. Combine it with an expert opinion for full clearance.
No — examiners still apply discretion under Sections 9 & 11. A clean search significantly improves odds, but does not guarantee acceptance.
A founder doing it themselves should budget 30–45 minutes per name. Our team turns around a full multi-class clearance report in 24 hours.
Senior contributor at Taxpex Consultancy. Reviewed by a practising Chartered Accountant. Published on 12 June 2026 · Updated on 12 June 2026.
Trademark & IP — done for you by Taxpex
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