Factors That Affect Trademark Registration Cost in India: A Breakdown for Entrepreneurs

Want to start with your own business? Protecting your brand name and logo is one of the first things you should do. A trademark helps you make your unique identity and protect it from others to copy! But, before you begin with the process, it is very important to understand trademark registration cost in India and what makes it go up or down. 

Many business owners prefer to seek the help of legal services in India due to the process being time taking. Let’s take a closer look at what affects the total cost of registering trademark in India and how can professionals help us ease the process. 

Type of Applicant  

One of the biggest factors when it comes to determining trademark registration cost in India and what makes it go up is who is applying for the trademark. 

• If it is an individual or a startup, the cost will usually be lower. They will require to pay a governmental fee of around ₹4,500 if applying online. 

• If it is a company or a Limited Liability Partnership, then the cost might be higher. They will require to pay a governmental fee of about ₹9,000 for an online application. 

The difference exists because the businesses are seen as a larger entity than a small business or an individual, and their trademark will cover wider commercial use. 

The Number of Classes You Apply Under 

Trademarks are divided into 45 classes in India. Each of the class represents a different type of product or service. For example, class 25 covers clothing, while class 30 covers food and beverages. 

If your business is into more than one class, then it is possible that you need to apply for multiple classes which will ultimately result in the increase of trademark registration cost in India. Each class requires a separate application and a fee for the same. To tackle with a hassle like this, many business owners, wish to hire professional legal services in India which help them to manage everything stress free. 

Mode of Application 

Another factor that changes the cost is how you apply. 

• Online Filing: It’s cheaper and quicker, costing about ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 depending on your applicant type. 

• Offline Filing: Submitting your form physically costs ₹5,000 or ₹10,000. 

Many people prefer online filing because it saves time and effort. Plus, legal services in India often use online systems to file on your behalf, ensuring everything is correct. 

Number of Owners or Applicants 

If your trademark contains more than a single ownership, such as a partnership or join venture, the cost of trademark may get higher. Each owner must be listed, and the form might need additional documentation, which increases both time and cost of the process. 

Maintenance and Renewal Costs 

Once you register a trademark, it will be valid for 10 years. Once that time period is over, you will have to renew it every now and then to keep the rights active. The renewal fee is about ₹9,000 if done online. If you miss the renewal date, you may have to pay extra late fees.
That is why many business owners rely on legal services in India to remind them of deadlines and handle the renewal every month hassle free. 

Additional Costs  

There might be times when the trademark office might raise an objection to your application. This can happen if your trademark looks too similar to another or doesn’t meet certain rules. 

In such cases, you may need legal support to file replies or attend hearings. This adds extra cost depending on how complex the issue is. However, having a lawyer from the start can help avoid such problems and save money in the long run. 

How To Reduce These Costs with The Right Legal Support? 

Many business owners try to save money by handling registration themselves, but errors in forms or missing documents can delay or even cancel their application. Using professional legal services in India might seem like an added cost at first, but it often saves time, prevents re-filing, and avoids unnecessary penalties. 

By choosing experienced legal experts, you ensure your trademark registration process is smooth, quick, and done correctly. 

In conclusion, the trademark registration cost in India depends on factors like the type of applicant, mode of filling, number of classes and if you use legal services in India or not. 

While some expenses might be fixed, planning smartly and expert guidance can help reduce the extra costs. So, if you are beginning with or growing your business, registration of a trademark comes as your top priority.