Trademark and Patent Registration – Easy Guide for 2025
Have you ever seen a special name or logo on your favorite toys, clothes, or apps? These special names or pictures that show who made the product are called trademarks.
Sometimes, people make new things or inventions, like new machines or software, and they want to protect their idea from being copied. This protection is called a patent.
This guide will explain what Trademark and Patent are, why it is important to register them, how to do it in India, and real stories to help you understand.
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is the intellectual property right for the word, name, logo, symbol design or combination that recognize your product/ service & differentiate it from others.For example, the “Nike” name and the famous “swoosh” mark belong only to Nike. No one else can use the same name or logo for shoes.
Registering a trademark means you tell the government, “This special name or logo belongs to me.” This stops others from copying or using it without your permission.
What is a Patent?
A Patent is the right you get for the product or service you develop for anything you invent unique.
Once you get the patent for the product/ service, you got the right of manufacturing, selling. Right only last upto 20 years.
No one else can duplicate or sell your invention without your permission.
Why Should You Register a Trademark or Patent?
- To Restrict others from copying your brand or invention.
- To get unique rights for manufacturing & selling.
- For building trust & recognizing among the public.
- To increase the brand valuation of the business.
- It help in business growth and attract investment in company.
- TO get Legal Right to sue someone if they copy your product.
Where Do You Register a Trademark or Patent?
In India, the government office called Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) looks after this.
You can apply and check everything online at:
https://ipindiaonline.gov.in
Types of Trademarks and Patents
Trademarks can be:
1. A word (like “Coca-Cola”)
2. A logo (a picture or symbol)
3. A combination of word and logo
4. Names or logos for services like banks or airlines
Patents can be:
1. New products or inventions
2. The New ways of making something
3. New designs of a product
How to Register a Trademark?
- Check if your brand name or logo is free using the online search tool on the government’s website.
- Prepare your application with your name, address, logo, and list of products or services your trademark will cover.
- File the application online and pay the fee. Startups get discounts.
- The government checks your application and may ask questions.
- If everything is good, your trademark is published so others can say if there is a problem.
- If no problems, your trademark is officially registered and you get a certificate.
- Remember to renew it every 10 years so you keep your rights.
How to Register a Patent?
Check if someone else has already invented it by searching online.
Write details about your invention, how it works, and draw pictures if possible.
File your patent application online. You can first file a simple “provisional” application to save your date.
After 18 months, your application is published.
You must ask the government to check your invention within 4 years.
If they have questions, you must answer or make changes.
If all is well, your patent is granted.
Keep paying small yearly fees to keep your patent active.
What Documents Do You Need?
Proof of your identity and address (like Aadhaar card or passport)
The trademark or invention details
Payment receipts for the fees
How Much Does It Cost?
For Trademark
Registration cost starts around ₹4,500 for small businesses or individuals, and more for big companies.
Patent
it’s fees depend on your invention and who you are (individual or company), starting about ₹1,600 and going up.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking if the trademark or patent already exists.
- Filling the wrong information.
- Ignoring official letters or requests.
- Forgetting to renew in time.
Real Stories to Understand Better about Trademark and Patent.
1. Sapna’s Tech App Trademark
Sapna made a new mobile app and created a unique name and logo. She searched the government website to see if her name was free. It was free! So She applied online, fill the forms, pay fees, and answer some questions asked by the government, and got her trademark registered in less than a year. Now her trademark is protect
2. Sweet Shop’s Name Problem
A small sweets shop was called “Sweet Magic.” Another big company registered a similar name later. When the small shop wanted to register, they found their name was taken. So, they changed their name to “Sweet Wonder” and registered that name successfully.
3. Ramesh’s Water-saving Tool Patent
Ramesh invented a tool that saves water for farmers. He made sure no one else had it by searching online. filed a provisional patent first, then the full one after some months. He answered all government questions and got the patent. Now, ramesh got the rights of making and selling of tool and will get royalty from others to use of his innovation.
Questions People Ask Often about Trademark and Patent (FAQs)
1. What is a trademark in easy words?
A trademark is the intellectual property right for the word, name, logo, symbol design or combination that recognize your product/ service & differentiate it from others.
2. What’s the difference between a trademark and a patent?
A trademark is the intellectual property right for the word, name, logo, symbol design. A patent protects your new idea or invention.
3. Is it hard to register a trademark or patent?
You can do it online yourself, but sometimes it’s easier to get help from an expert. You have to fill forms, pay fees, and answer some questions.
4. How long does it take to get a trademark or patent?
A trademark usually takes about 1 year. A patent can take 2 to 5 years because the government checks carefully.
5. What if someone copies my trademark or invention?
If your trademark or patent is registered, you can stop them legally. You can send them a warning letter and still no neccessary action is taken by them you can go to court .
Conclusion
Trademarks and patents help you and your business to protect your identity, innovations from copycats and make sure wherever your Trademarks and patents are being used. it isn’t without your permission and you get royalty of Trademarks and patents for fair uses
Now, government an online portal speacially from patent,trademark, and design. you can now apply online and check everything digitally.
but make sure to search first whether it is available or not. if yes apply for it very carefully, pay fees on time and keep renewing so that your rights of patent and trademark are being safe for many years
if you are still having trouble visit your local Aadhar help centre- they are here to help.