How do I check if my brand name is free, and how do I trademark it in India?
The short answer
Before you print a single business card, run your name through the free IP India public trademark search to see if it's already claimed in your class. If it's clear, file online through IP India, and if you're DPIIT-recognised, you get a 50% rebate on the government fee plus a facilitator who does the paperwork. Register in the classes that match what you actually sell, not every class under the sun.
Go deeper, your way
2 hand-picked resources, 2 link-checked. Pick how you want to dig in.
📄 Article
✓ Link checkedIndiaFreeIntermediate
Why we picked it
The official explainer of the concrete money DPIIT-recognised startups get on IP, an 80% patent-fee rebate, 50% trademark-fee rebate, and government-paid facilitators. This is the single best reason to get DPIIT recognition early if you'll file anything, and it comes straight from the source, not a paid-service blog.
Why we picked it
The free, official first step before you commit to any brand name, logo, or domain. Ten minutes here can save you a rebrand, it tells you whether your name is already registered or applied-for in your class, which is exactly the check most founders skip.
