Trademark Registration in Maharashtra

Under Section 2(zb) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, a trademark in Maharashtra is defined as a mark capable of distinguishing one business’s goods or services from another. It includes your brand name, logo, tagline, design, or packaging style. Once registered, it gives you exclusive legal rights and stops others from copying or misusing your brand in Maharashtra’s competitive markets.

Trademark registration is governed by the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Applications are filed online through the IP India portal. All Maharashtra applications are processed by the Mumbai Trademark Registry.

A trademark’s importance in Maharashtra becomes clearer due to these key factors:

• Thriving State Economy: Maharashtra is one of India’s largest and most economically powerful states. The state’s GSDP was estimated at around ₹54,08,594 crore in 2025‑26. Trademark registration is essential to protect brands and stand out in Maharashtra’s competitive markets.
• Robust Tourism Sector: Maharashtra attracts millions of tourists every year, driving the demand for branded hotels, travel services, restaurants, and local products. Trademark protection plays a key role in safeguarding these brands.
• Online and E‑Commerce Expansion: Many Maharashtra‑based businesses sell goods and services online. A registered trademark safeguards your digital brand presence and prevents counterfeit listings or unauthorized sellers.

Trademark applications filed by applicants in Maharashtra fall under the administrative jurisdiction of the Mumbai Trade Marks Registry. This registry operates under the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM).

Trade Marks Registry, Mumbai

• Official Address: Trade Marks Office, Boudhik Sampada Bhavan, S. M. Road, Antop Hill, Mumbai – 400037, Maharashtra, India
• Phone: +(91 22) 24137701
• Email: mumbai[dot]tmr@nic[dot]in

Maharashtra has a thriving business ecosystem, from Mumbai’s corporate hubs to Pune’s startups and Kolhapur’s local industries. Protecting your brand is more important than ever.

Here’s why businesses in Maharashtra should invest in trademark registration:

• Exclusive Rights in Competitive Markets: A registered trademark gives legal ownership of your brand name or logo and prevents copying in Mumbai, Pune, and Thane business hubs. Areas like Dadar, Camp area of Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad see heavy brand duplication risks.
• Safeguards Maharashtra’s Regional Specialities: Kolhapuri chappals, Nashik grapes, Solapur towels, and Paithani sarees face imitation issues. Trademark protection helps preserve these regional identities and traditional crafts.
• Protection for Mumbai D2C and E-commerce Sellers: Brands selling from suburbs like Borivali, Ghatkopar, and Thane West on Amazon, Flipkart, and Instagram use trademarks to block counterfeit listings and fake sellers.
• Stronger Identity in MIDC Industrial Zones: Manufacturers in Chakan, Pimpri-Chinchwad MIDC, and Aurangabad protect product names and packaging. This is crucial in high-volume industrial competition.
• Legal Safety in Retail Hotspots Across Maharashtra: Retail areas like Crawford Market, FC Road, and Dharampeth face naming conflicts. Trademark registration reduces legal disputes and confusion.
• Protection for Maharashtra’s Film and Entertainment Brands: The Marathi film industry based in Mumbai uses trademarks to protect production house names, OTT brands, and entertainment labels in a highly content-driven market.
• Support for Exporters in JNPT and Nagpur Logistics Hubs: Exporters using JNPT and Nagpur cargo hubs protect goods in global trade. Trademarks help prevent misuse in international supply chains.

Any person or entity in Maharashtra can apply for trademark protection for a brand name, logo, or symbol. These include:

• Individual business owners running shops, services, or local ventures.
• Small manufacturers, retailers, and service providers.
• D2C brands, e-commerce sellers, and digital businesses scaling across India.
• Registered companies, LLPs, and partnership firms.
• Schools, coaching centers, and training institutes offering education services.
• Non-profit organizations protecting program names and social initiatives.
• Businesses running franchise outlets of established brands.
• Traders and manufacturers exporting goods from Maharashtra.
• Individuals or firms launching unique products, packaging, or service models.

Note: Applicants in Maharashtra can also file for marks not yet in use under “proposed to be used” status.

The process of trademark registration in Maharashtra is fully online and managed through the IP India portal under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

Step 1: Trademark Search: Check the availability of your proposed mark, name, logo, or slogan using the IP India trademark database or RegisterKaro’s Trademark Name Availability Tool.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Trademark Class: From the different classes of trademarks, select the class or classes that align with your business activities in Maharashtra.

Step 3: Prepare the Trademark Application: File Form TM-A online through the IP India portal for Maharashtra applicants. Include applicant name and address, type of mark, description of goods or services, trademark class, and date of first use.

Step 4: Receive Application Number: After submitting the application, you will receive an application number. Track your application online at any time using the number.

Step 5: Formal Examination by Trademark Registry: The Trademark Examiner checks legal compliance, similar existing marks, and distinctiveness of the trademark. After review, the Examiner issues an Examination Report.

Step 6: Respond to Trademark Objection (if any): If a Trademark Objection arises under Sections 9 or 11, respond within 30 days. File a Trademark Objection Reply within 30 days, providing evidence, clarifications, and legal arguments.

Step 7: Trademark Journal Publication: Accepted trademarks appear in the Trademark Journal for four months. Third parties can file opposition during this stage.

Step 8: Handle Trademark Opposition (if filed): If opposition occurs, file a counter-statement within 2 months, submit evidence, and attend hearings. If no opposition is filed or your application is upheld, the mark proceeds to registration.

Step 9: Receive Registration Certificate: After approval, the Mumbai Trademark Registry issues the Trademark Registration Certificate. You can use the ® symbol and secure 10-year protection with renewal rights.

To register a trademark in Maharashtra, applicants must submit:

Registering a trademark in Maharashtra costs around ₹6,500 to ₹30,000 per class. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Government Filing Fees

• Individuals / Startups / Small Enterprises: ₹4,500 per class (online filing)
• Companies / Large Firms: ₹9,000 per class (online filing)
• Physical Filing Surcharge: Additional ₹1,000 if filing offline

2. Optional & Additional Government Fees

• Expedited Examination: ₹20,000 per class (individuals/startups) / ₹40,000 per class (others)
• Renewal (every 10 years): ₹9,000 per class (individuals/startups) / ₹18,000 per class (others)
• Restoration (late renewal within 6 months): ₹5,000 + renewal fees
• Assignment Recording: ₹9,000 (individuals/startups) / ₹18,000 (others) per mark
• Change of Name / Address: ₹900 (individuals/startups) / ₹1,800 (others)
• Recordal of License: ₹6,000 (individuals/startups) / ₹12,000 (others)

3. Professional & Legal Service Fees (Optional)

• Trademark Search & Consultation: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000
• Professional Filing Assistance: ₹5,000 – ₹25,000
• Response to Examination Report: ₹3,000 – ₹10,000
• Hearing Representation: ₹1,000 – ₹5,000
• Opposition Defense: ₹15,000 – ₹50,000
• Legal Enforcement against Infringement: Starting from ₹50,000

Here’s how you can monitor the progress of your trademark application in Maharashtra at every stage using the online status tracker:

• Visit the Status Page: Open the Trademark Application/Registration Status section on the official IP India portal.
• Enter Your Application Number: Enter your Maharashtra trademark application number in the designated field.
• View Current Status: Click on “View” to see the status, such as “Filed,” “Examined,” “Advertised,” or “Registered.”
• Check Alerts and Actions: Look for any alerts or required actions, including responding to objections or attending hearings.
• Track Updates: Continue checking until your application status shows “Registered.”