Intellectual Property Registration

Most businesses start with the trademark for their brand name and logo, because brand conflicts are the most common early risk.

No. MCA name approval does not give trademark rights. A company name can still infringe someone else’s registered trademark.

Copyright exists as soon as a work is created. Registration is optional, but it serves as prima facie evidence of the particulars entered in the register.

The applicant can file, or an authorised agent can file. For trademarks, this means a registered trade marks agent or an advocate. For patents, it means a registered patent agent.

No. IP rights are territorial. International protection is obtained country by country, or through treaty routes such as the Madrid Protocol (trademarks) or the PCT (patents).

Yes. Reduced official fees apply to individuals, startups and small entities for trademarks, and to eligible categories for patents and designs.

Trademarks, copyrights, patents and designs are the most common, with others including geographical indications and trade secrets, each protected under a different statute.

A trademark protects brand identifiers such as names, logos and slogans. A copyright protects original creative works such as software, writings, music, artistic and cinematographic works.

A new invention that involves an inventive step and is capable of industrial application can be patented, subject to exclusions under the Patents Act, such as certain software-only inventions and discoveries.

A patent in India generally lasts twenty years from the filing date, subject to timely payment of renewal fees.

It protects the visual features of an article, such as shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation, that are judged by the eye, not the underlying function.

Copyright arises on creation. Registration is not mandatory but provides valuable evidence of ownership and is useful when enforcing rights.

Registered IP is a recognised asset. Investors and lenders often evaluate it during due diligence, and it can be assigned or licensed, which supports valuation and deal structuring.

A search looks for identical or similar marks already registered or applied for. It reduces the risk of objection or opposition and helps decide whether to proceed.

Generally the employer owns works created in the course of employment, but this should be confirmed in the employment or consultancy agreement, particularly for contractors.

No. A domain name is registered with a registrar and is a separate system, but the name can raise trademark issues if it is confusing or identical to a mark.

Yes, and this is usually advisable. If the founder holds the IP personally, it should be assigned to the company in writing.

Unregistered marks may be protected by passing off, but enforcement is harder. Registration provides a statutory presumption of ownership and stronger remedies.

It depends on the type: trademarks and designs typically take months, copyrights somewhat less, and patents often take years given examination and the prosecution process.

Foreign filings are made through the local registries or international systems such as the Madrid Protocol and PCT. We can coordinate with specialist counsel for the target country.