January 22, 2026

IP India Public Search Guide Check Trademarks, Patents & Copyright Status Online

💡 24x7 Resource: IP India Public Search (Trademarks & Patents)

The Innovation Hub

Access the legal ownership of Ideas and Brands in India.

  • Official Portal: ipindiaservices.gov.in
  • Main Website: ipindia.gov.in
  • Key Tools: Public Search of Trade Marks & InPASS (Patent Status).
  • Administrator: Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM).
  • Motto: "Creative India; Innovative India."
⚖️ BUSINESS REALITY: A "Registered Company Name" (on MCA) is NOT the same as a "Trademark." You can register "Apple Shoes Pvt Ltd" on the MCA portal, but if you sell shoes with that name, Apple Inc. will sue you for Trademark violation. MCA gives you a corporate birth certificate; IP India gives you brand ownership. You need to check both.

Introduction: The "Land Registry" of Ideas

(Why You Must Search Before You Launch)

In the physical world, you check land records (Bhulekh) before building a house. In the business world, you must check IP Records before building a brand.

India follows the "First to File" rule (mostly). If you spend ₹10 Lakh marketing a brand name like "Zolo," and then realize that someone else registered "Zolo" in 2010 (even if they haven't used it much), they can legally force you to destroy all your products and change your name.

The IP India Public Search is a free, powerful database that lets you spy on every registered idea in the country.

  • For Startups: Is your cool name taken?
  • For Inventors: Has someone already patented your "Solar Roti Maker"?
  • For Designers: Is that chair design protected?

This "24x7 Resource Page" guides you through the complex interface of ipindiaservices.gov.in. We will decode what a "Vienna Code" is, how to use "Phonetic Search" to catch similar-sounding names, and how to read the "Examination Report" to see why a trademark was rejected.

🔍 How to Search for a Trademark (Brand Name)

This is the most popular tool. It is famously glitchy (often shows "Session Expired"), so follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Access the Portal

  • Go to: ipindiaservices.gov.in.
  • Click: "Trade Mark" -> "Public Search".
  • Tip: If the page doesn't load, try opening it in Incognito Mode or use a different browser. It has specific Java/Script requirements.

You want to check if the name "SkyHigh" is available.

  • Search Type: Select "Wordmark".
  • Wordmark: Type SkyHigh.
  • Class: This is crucial. Trademarks are categorized into 45 Classes (Nice Classification).
    • Class 25: Clothing/Shoes.
    • Class 9: Electronics/Software.
    • Class 41: Education/Entertainment.
    • Note: You cannot leave "Class" blank. You must search class by class. If you don't know the class, click the "Class Details" link on the site to find it.

Step 3: The "Phonetic" Search (Crucial)

Smart lawyers don't just check the exact spelling.

  • If you want "SkyHigh," someone might have already registered "SkyeHi" or "SkiHigh."
  • Action: Select "Phonetic" in the Search Type. This checks for similar-sounding names. If you skip this, you are taking a huge risk.

Step 4: Reading the Results

  • Objected: The IP Office has raised a query.
  • Registered: The name is taken. You cannot use it.
  • Abandoned/Refused: The name was applied for but rejected. It might be free to use, but proceed with caution.
  • No Records Found: Congratulations! The name is likely available.

🖼️ How to Search for a Logo (Vienna Code)

What if you want to check if your "Lion with a Crown" logo is unique? You can't type a picture.

  • The Solution: The Vienna Codification.
  • Concept: Every visual element has a code.
    • Lion: 3.1.1
    • Crown: 24.9.1
  • Search: Go to "Public Search" -> Select "Vienna Code". Enter the codes. It will show you all registered logos containing a Lion and a Crown.

🔬 How to Search for Patents (InPASS)

If you have invented a new machine or chemical formula, check the Indian Patent Advanced Search System (InPASS).

  • Go to: ipindiaservices.gov.in -> "Patents" -> "Public Search".
  • Keyword Search: Type keywords like "Solar" AND "Water Heater" in the abstract field.
  • Result: It will show every patent filed in India with those terms.
  • Why do it: If your invention is already published here (even by a day), you cannot get a patent. Public knowledge kills patentability.

Step 2: Check Patent Status

  • If you see a product labeled "Patent Pending 1234/DEL/2023," you can enter that number here to see if it was actually granted or if they are just bluffing.

📖 The "Journals": The Weekly Gazette of Ideas

Every Monday, the IP Office publishes the Trade Marks Journal and Patent Journal.

  • What it is: A list of all applications that have been accepted and are open for public opposition.
  • Why check it: If your competitor files a trademark for a name that is very similar to yours, you have 4 months from the date of Journal publication to file an "Opposition." If you miss this window, their mark gets registered, and it becomes very hard to remove.

🎨 Designs and Copyrights

  • Design Search: Checks for "Aesthetic" protection (e.g., the shape of a Coca-Cola bottle or the pattern on a saree).
  • Copyright Search: Copyright is technically automatic the moment you create art, but you can search the Copyright Office database (managed by a separate department under DPIIT) to see registered works like books, scripts, or software code.

📂 Downloading "Examination Reports"

This is the best way to learn IP Law for free.

  • When you click on a specific Trademark Application Number (e.g., 4500123), click on "PR / Examination Report".
  • Download the PDF.
  • It contains the Officer's legal objection. Example: "This name is too descriptive" or "It hurts religious sentiments." Reading these helps you understand what not to do when naming your brand.

Your intellectual property toolkit:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I file a Trademark myself?

Yes.

  • Cost: ₹4,500 (Individual/Startup) or ₹9,000 (Large Company) per class.
  • Process: You need a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). You can file online. However, responding to legal objections ("Office Actions") usually requires a lawyer or Trademark Agent.

Q2. What is the difference between TM and ®?

  • TM: You can use this symbol the moment you file the application. It means "I claim this as my trademark."
  • ® (R): You can use this ONLY after the trademark is officially Registered (Certificate issued). Using ® before registration is a crime.

Q3. Does an Indian Trademark work globally?

No. IP rights are territorial.

  • An Indian Trademark protects you only in India.
  • For global protection, you need to file under the Madrid Protocol (managed by WIPO), which allows you to apply to multiple countries through the Indian office.

Q4. How long does a Patent last?

20 Years from the date of filing. After that, it becomes "Public Domain" (anyone can make it).

  • Trademarks last 10 years but can be renewed indefinitely forever.

Q5. Can I trademark a common word like "Apple"?

Yes, but only for unrelated goods.

  • You can trademark "Apple" for Computers (because apples don't grow in computers).
  • You cannot trademark "Apple" for Fruit Selling (because it is descriptive).
  • This is why "Amazon" is a valid trademark for E-commerce but not for River Tours.

Bookmark this page. In the knowledge economy, your idea is your capital. Lock it before you show it.