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In today’s marketplace, your brand is not just a title; it’s an identity, a reputation and long-term asset. Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur, MSME owner, or freelancer in India or a distinguished enterprise here – which you probably are The fact remains that knowing the types of trademarks in India is necessary for before applying for filing the trademark application.
One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make is selecting a weak trademark that offers little in the way of protection may draw objections or oppositions and can even lead to abandonment. This ultimate guide will help you learn all different types of trademarks in India including word mark Vs logo trademark, device marks, service marks, sound marks and more explained in simple words.
If you’re considering covering your brand’s name, logo, tagline or other identifying features, this guide is for you.
What Is a Trademark?
A Trademark is a logo, design or expression that identifies goods or services of one company from the others. It can be anything from a word, design, symbol or even sound, shape or colour.
In India, trademarks are regulated under The Trade Marks Act 1999 and are registered by the Controller General of Patents Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM).
A registered trademark gives you:
- Exclusive legal rights
- Brand protection nationwide
- The preventative effect on abuse or violation
- Strong brand recognition and trust
There are various types of trademarks in India and selecting the right trademark is essential before filing.
Importance of Knowing about Kinds of Trademarks in India
If you choose the incorrect type of trademark, here are some things that can happen:
- Weak legal protection
- Trademark objections
- Limited brand coverage
- Rejection or opposition
So by knowing which are the types of trademarks in India, you assure that:
- Maximum brand protection
- Stronger enforcement rights
- Easier future expansion
- Higher brand valuation
Not sure which trademark is right for your business? Speak to our trademark lawyers today for a free consultation.
The Most Powerful Trademark WORD MARK TRADEMARK
A Word Mark covers the word part of your brand – a business name, tagline or brand name regardless of font style, font color etc.
Example of Word Marks:
- Amazon
- Tata
- Zomato
Why Word Mark Is A ‘Must Try’ Software?
- Protection for all fonts & designs
- Stronger legal rights
- Easy enforcement
- Covers future logo changes
When considering word mark vs logo trademark, a word mark provides greater protection.
Who Can Register a Word Mark?
- Startups
- Online businesses
- Service providers
- Brands planning long-term growth
Protect your brand name with a Word Mark trademark today – before someone else does. Contact our experts now.
Logo Trademark (Visual Identity Protection)
A Logo Trademark protects the graphical representation of your brand, including symbols, colors, icons, and stylized text.
Example:
- Nike Swoosh
- Apple Logo
- Starbucks Emblem
Logo Trademark Key Points:
- Protects only the specific design
- We are NOT protecting the brand JUST THE BRAND NAME
- Limited scope as against word mark
Here is where it gets word mark vs logo trademark critical. A universal logo trademark will cover only what is visually visible.
Best Practice
Experts recommend registering:
- Word Mark first
- Logo Mark second
Already have a logo? Trademark it professionally and keep those pesky objections at bay. Contact our trademark counselors now.
Device Mark Trademark (Combination Mark)
Device Mark Device Marks are protected as an individual unit of words + logo + symbols in combination.
Example:
- Brand name + emblem together
- Logo with stylized text
Device Mark Benefits:
- Covers visual + textual identity
- Great for fixed design brands
Limitation:
The protection only goes for the combo, not the individuals.
One of the categories used for trademarks in India is Word Mark and Device Marks are very common apart but could not be a substitute for that.
Service Mark Trademark
A Service Mark is for services, not goods.
Examples:
- Consulting firms
- IT companies
- Legal & accounting services
- Digital marketing agencies
In Indian law, a service mark is the same as a trademark, other than being for a ‘service’.
It is important to know what are trademark classes defined while applying for service marks.
Offering services? File your service mark the right way under the correct trademark class. Get expert help today.
Product Mark Trademark
A Product Mark is for a thing (an object product).
Examples:
- FMCG brands
- Clothing brands
- Electronics
- Food products
The Nice Classification system covers different classes for each category of goods.
Collective Trademark
A collective trademark is owned by an organization or other group, whose members use the sign to identify themselves with a level of quality or accuracy – Wikipedia.
Examples:
- Trade unions
- Cooperative societies
- Professional organizations
It ensures:
- Quality consistency
- Authenticity
- Member identification
Certification Trademark
Eligibility for a Certification Mark a Certification Mark certifies that a product or service complies with specific standards.
Examples:
- ISI Mark
- AGMARK
- Hallmark for gold
“Trademark” means not ownership, but certification of quality or source or safety.
Shape Mark (3D Trademark)
A Shape Mark is intended to protect a product’s special shape.
Examples:
- Coca-Cola bottle shape
- Toblerone chocolate shape
To qualify, the shape must:
- Be distinctive
- Not be functional
- Be identifiable with the brand
Sound Mark Trademark
Yes, sounds can be trademarked!
Examples:
- Nokia ringtone
- ICICI bank jingle
Sound marks must be:
- Unique
- Represented in musical notation
- Easily recognizable
Trademark Classes Explained (Nice Classification)
India is a member of the Nice classification (read more about trademark classes India ), and accepts goods and services under 45 classes only.
- Classes 1–34: Goods
- Classes 35–45: Services
Common Trademark Classes:
Class 9: Software & electronics
Class 25: Clothing
Class 35: Advertising And Business Services
Class 41: Education & training
Class 42: IT & SaaS services
It’s very important to pick the right class for good defense. We find that most cases of application inaccuracy are caused by misclassification.
Unsure what trademark class your business falls under? Take your free trademark class consultation now.
Word Mark vs Logo Trademark: Which Is Better?
| Criteria | Word Mark | Logo Trademark |
| Protection Scope | Broad | Limited |
| Font & Color | Covered | Fixed |
| Legal Strength | High | Medium |
| Future Proof | Yes | No |
Final Verdict:
Always write to MS word Mark first
Logo registration is optional but recommended later
Knowing the difference between word mark vs. logo trademark saves you from making expensive mistakes.
Common Trademark Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering logo only
- Wrong trademark class selection
- No trademark search
- Filing without expert help
- Ignoring objections or oppositions
Avoid costly trademark mistakes. Allow the experts to take control of your trademark application from filing to completion. Contact us today.
The Importance of Professional Assistance in Registering a Trademark
Trademark registration involves:
- Trademark search
- Correct class selection
- Legal drafting
- Responding to objections
- Opposition handling
A little misstep can slow down or even completely reject your application.
Professional assistance ensures:
- Faster approval
- Strong legal protection
- Zero compliance stress
Final Thoughts
Types of Trademark in India The first step to securing your brand is knowing the types of trademarks in India. From a word mark, to a logo, device mark or understanding trademark classes explained every choice you make will be with your brand for the long haul.
If you desire long-term protection, acknowledgement and rights in law;- select the correct trademark type today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What are the different types of trademarks in India?
Various kinds of Trademarks in India Word mark Logo trademark Device mark Service mark Product mark Collective Mark Certification Mark Shape Mark Sound Mark
Q2: What are word mark vs logo trademark?
A word mark is a trademark on the brand name of the font in question, whereas a logo trademark would protect the style of design.
Q3: What is the best trademark for a startup?
For startups, the most suitable is word mark trademark as it will give a wider and long term protection.
Q4: How do I register “word mark” and “logo trademark” in the same time?
Yes, a registration in both is the best way to protect your brand.
Q5: How many classes of trademarks are there in India?
The Nice Classification has 45 classes of goods & services.
Q6: What will be the consequence if I select a wrong trademark class?
You may encounter rejections or weak protection.
Q7: Is a logo trademark all I need to protect my brand?
No, logo trademark does not fully protect your brand name.
Q8: Why can services not be trademarked in India?
Absolutely, Service marks belong to service-related trademark classes.
Q9: What is the time duration to register a trademark in India?
Typically, 6-12 months, depending on obstacles or oppositions.