In the business world, competition is an unavoidable fact. Only by strategically implementing business policies and plans that give you an advantage over your competitors can you ensure success. Competition denotes increased demand for a product or service, which has resulted in a high level of competition.

How many sleepless nights did it take you to nail down your logo design? If you do not register your logo, someone else will be able to do so. It is widely acknowledged that a distinct brand and logo are the entity’s most valuable assets, as customers can quickly identify your product or services among competitors’ products. It is critical to protect your brand name and logo from unauthorized use or duplication. The use of a registered trademark has several advantages over the use of an unregistered brand name and logo.

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What is a Logo?

A logo is an organization’s Intellectual Property (IP), and it should be registered in order to raise brand awareness among potential customers. A logo can be a word, a phrase, or any symbol that is designed to represent the entire organization. When it comes to legally maintaining business services, logo registration is critical. In order to register all upcoming business enterprises, the trademark registration act specifies specific logo registration procedures. A company’s name and fame are derived from its distinctive logo and trademark, so it is unavoidable for every business owner to seek out an outstanding logo and then apply for registration in order to safeguard the company’s reputation.

Why should I register my Logo?

It is widely acknowledged that a Unique Brand logo is the most valuable asset of any business because it allows customers to quickly identify your product or services among competitors’ products serving in a similar domain. It is critical to protect your brand’s logo from misuse or duplication by others. It is only possible if you use a trademark of your distinctive brand logo. So it is well worth it to trademark your brand logo before anyone claims ownership of your brand and gains an unfair advantage.

How to register Logo?

Step 1: Create a one-of-a-kind logo.

It is critical to understand that the logo must be distinct and unique. Any similarities to an existing logo may result in intellectual property infringement or cancellation. When a logo is used commercially, it becomes the identity of the company or the individual, and product branding begins. The registration of the logo is necessary to legally reinforce this. You can hire a legal professional to assist you with the initial trademark search, which will help you determine the brand’s uniqueness. Getting the assistance of a professional is recommended because a professional will have the knowledge and expertise to assist you in this regard.

Step 2: Submit your logo registration application as soon as possible.

Even if you haven’t started using the logo commercially yet, it’s a good idea to secure it. Organizations fiercely guard their trademarks, so filing a proposed logo will ensure that it is safe and protected before you launch a full branding and marketing campaign. This would be far more profitable and beneficial to the company in the long run.

After you’ve applied your brand name and logo, you can begin using the (TM) mark over the logo. Once the TM application is filed and a receipt is issued, the application is classified as a new application. The trademark department reviews the application and, if found complete in all respects, the application is marked for examination; otherwise, a clarification may be requested.

Step 3: Examine the trademark application

During this stage, the examiners further examine the logo, and if the application appears to be valid, it is published in the trademark journal. If the examiner believes the logo or brand name does not meet the requirements, they may be objected to under absolute grounds of refusal and/or relative grounds of refusal under the Trademarks Act, 1999. Following that, an examination report will be issued. Once you have received notification of the objection via the examination report, you must respond within the time limits specified.

Step 4: Hold a Show Cause Hearing

In this stage, the examiner sends a notice to the applicant regarding the application, informing them that a hearing has been scheduled. This occurs when the examiner is dissatisfied with the applicant’s examination response. If the application is approved, it will proceed to the next stage.

Step 5: Trademark Journal Publication of the Logo

The trademark is published in the Trademarks Journal after it has been examined. If there are no third-party objections, the registrar will process the application within four months of its publication. In the event of an objection, the registrar would hold a hearing at which both parties would establish their claims, after which the registrar would make his decision.

Registration and certification of trademarks

The application is now in its final stages. Once the logo has been published in the journal and no objections have been raised, a registration certificate bearing the trademark seal will be issued. The logo and brand name would be registered with the Trademark Central Register.

Once the applicant has received the certificate online, the registered trademark symbol (®) can be used on the logo. The entire process of registering a brand/logo takes about 12-18 months. If the application is straightforward, the registration should take 8-9 months.

Once accepted, it would be valid for a period of ten years from the date of filing. Once registered, the logo can be made perpetual by renewing the mark every ten years. The trademark can be renewed by submitting a Trademark Renewal Application under TM-R along with the required fees. If a registered trademark is not renewed within six months of its expiry date, it is removed from the Registrar’s register.