Last Updated on April 4, 2026
To all brand owners, here is a heads-up. Have you got your brand registered? If yes, then good job in protecting your brand. If no, then here is what you need to know. Your business is your identity, and you need to protect it. But what is a trademark, and why has it become a talk of the town? Will it cost me a fortune to register the mark? Well, it will cost you a fortune if you don’t register the mark. Trademark registration is important to protect your business from infringers and copycats and to make sure that your business remains yours.
What is a Trademark
Trademarks are logos, slogans, letters, combinations of names, devices, colours, or sounds that are peculiar to the goods and services offered by you. Your business is known by your trademark. It acts as an identifier of the business.
Benefits of Registration of a Trademark
Trademark registration offers multiple benefits to the proprietor. Here is why you should register the mark:
- Trademark registration provides legal protection to the business and protects the business from infringers.
- Trademark registration provides brand recognition and distinctiveness to the business.
- Trademark registration builds a sense of trust in customers.
- Trademark registration not only offers national protection but also extends to the international market.
How Much Does It Cost To Register a Trademark?
| SERVICE | GOVERNMENT FEES | PROFESSIONAL FEES |
| Filing of trademark application (for sole proprietor) |
|
Rs. 3000- Rs. 10,000 |
| Filing of trademark application (for company, LLP, etc) |
|
|
| Response to examination report | — | |
| Trademark hearings | — | Rs. 3000-Rs.5000 per hearing |
| Opposition | — | Rs. 10,000-Rs. 50,000 |
Factors Determining the Cost of Registration of a Trademark
The cost of a trademark registration is based on the following factors:
1. Mode of registration
The cost of filling out the application depends on the mode of filling out the application. There are two modes of filling the application- physical mode and online mode. There is a difference of Rs. 500/- in both modes. The physical mode of filling is costlier than the e-filling mode. It is advisable to opt for e-filing to avoid heavy queues.
2. Number of applications
Trademark registration cost depends on the number of applications you file. The cost of the application is given for one class. For multiple applications, you will have to pay separate fees.
For example, if you run a jewellery business, then you will have to file applications in class 14 and class 35, which means you will have to pay the cost for two applications.
3. Nature of applicant
The third and most important factor that will determine the cost of registration is the nature of the applicant. If you are a company or LLP, you will have to pay separate fees, and if you are a sole proprietor, start-up or MSME, you will have a different set of fees to pay.
| Nature of applicant | e-filling | Physical filling |
| an individual/Startup/Small Enterprise | 4500 | 5000 |
| Company/llp/partnership | 9000 | 10000 |
4. Jurisdiction
The cost of trademark registration is jurisdiction-centric. If you are filing under national laws, it will be different, and if you are filing the application outside India, it will be different. In all senses, international applications are costlier but provide 360-degree protection for the mark. This will also impact your professional fees.
Note: for certain contracting parties, the complementary fees are replaced by an “individual fee.”
| S.no | Category | fees |
| 1. | Basic fee | CHF 653 (black and white) and CHF 903 (colour) |
| 2. | Complimentary fee | 100 CHF per designated member state |
| 3. | Supplementary fee | 100 CHF per class for goods/services |
| 4. | Individual fee | 100 CHF to 1000 CHF (varies from country to country) |
| 5. | Renewal fee | CHF 653 |
5. Stage of registration
When we talk about official fees, it is mainly for filling the application, opposition and amendments but no one talks about the other hidden charges that crops up at different stages of registration, these are the professional charges one has to bear to get their brand registered. This purely depends on the company you approach for registration, their expertise, and their pricing.
| Stage | e-filling | Physical filling |
| Opposition | 2700 | 3000 |
| Amendment | 9000 | 10000 |
| Renewal | 4500 | 5000 |
| Assignment | 9000 | 10000 |
| Application by registered user | 4500 | 5000 |
| Issue of the search certificate | 9000 | 10000 |
| Modification | 2700 | 3000 |
Additional Costs
It’s important to remember that the original filing fees are just the beginning. There are other costs involved with keeping and protecting your brand, such as:
– Handling resistance or civil action against infringement
– Renewing your trademark renewal every 10 years
– Hiring a trademark attorney to help with the process
These extra costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to put them into your total brand budget.
How To Mitigate The Cost?
- File online: avoid physical filing. You can save a lot
- Conduct a detailed search to avoid examination issues. This will help you save rejection money
- Check your trademark for generic, descriptive, or prohibited symbols objections to avoid legal charges
- Choose your class wisely. Filling in the wrong class will require you to pay amendment fees or even file a fresh application
- Try to avail yourself of government subsidies. For example, Statuus and MSME have the benefit of claiming 50% reductions in price.
- Enter your description clealy and try jurisdictional restrictions if you feel your mark might be objected.
- Make a renewal application on time to avoid other charges.
- Choose your IP experts to avoid legal issues and for proper filing and follow-up of the application.
- Manage your opposition risk by doing a proper trademark watch.
The End Note
Registering a trademark is an investment in the long-run survival of your company. Although the expenses might differ, you should guard your intellectual property and stop others from adopting a brand or logo. Knowing the main elements influencing the cost of a trademark helps you to better budget and prepare for this crucial stage of brand development.
Recall that the value of a registered, strong brand might far exceed the original outlay. The peace of mind and legal security it offers for your company is worth a little cost.
How Can We Help?
It is always advisable to hire a trademark expert for a thorough trademark search. Always choose the right class before applying to avoid additional costs. It is easy and simple, and you can file on your own, but hiring IP experts will help you minimise trademark application rejections. We at Kannakupillai will help you
- Conduct trademark search
- Help you file TM applications correctly
- Follow up with objections
- Help with filling in the reply to the examination
- Monitor for infringers
- Handle oppositions
- And remind you about renewals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the government fee for trademark registration?
Individuals/Startups/MSMEs (e-filing): ₹4,500 per class.
Companies/Other Entities (e-filing): ₹9,000 per class.
Physical Filing: Usually higher (e.g., ₹10,000 for companies).
2. Is the fee per class?
Yes, you have to pay for a single application. If you file multiple applications, you have to pay accordingly.
3. What are professional fees?
Costs for agents/lawyers typically range from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000, covering search, filing, and procedural guidance.
4. What would be the renewal cost?
Trademark renewal costs ₹9,000 per class.
5. What are other potential costs?
Opposition: ₹2,700 for filing a counter-statement.
Adding a class: ₹900 – ₹1000.
Correcting errors: ₹900.
6. When do I have to renew the mark?
Once in 10 years.
