{"id":46610,"date":"2026-04-21T11:37:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T06:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/learn\/?p=46610"},"modified":"2026-04-21T11:37:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T06:07:16","slug":"guide-to-good-trademark-selection-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kanakkupillai.com\/learn\/guide-to-good-trademark-selection-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Good Trademark Selection in India"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing the right approach for trademark registration in India begins with understanding how to choose a brand name that is unique and legally strong. Using the right trademark selection tips and exploring unique brand name ideas can help you create a distinctive identity for your business. Before finalising your name, conducting a trademark search in India is essential to avoid conflicts and Section 9 trademark objections. Additionally, selecting the correct trademark classes in India ensures proper legal protection for your brand.<\/p>\n

This guide will help you understand how to select a good trademark and avoid common mistakes during trademark registration in India.<\/p>\n

Trademark Selection Tips for Strong Brand Registration<\/h2>\n

Choosing the right trademark is a crucial step in the trademark registration process in India<\/strong><\/a>. A unique and distinctive brand name reduces the risk of rejection and helps build long-term brand value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Consider<\/strong><\/td>\nAvoid<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coined terms<\/td>\nDescriptive terms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fanciful terms<\/td>\nGeneric terms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arbitrary terms<\/td>\nSurnames<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suggestive marks<\/td>\nDeceptively confusing marks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Animal or plant names<\/td>\nLetter acronyms and numbers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Unrelated or off the rail terms<\/td>\nTerms that have direct references to characteristics or qualities.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Terms referring to action or experience<\/td>\nSuperlative or laudatory words<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Tips to Follow While Designing Your Trademark<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. Coined mark:<\/h3>\n

It is advisable to create a coined or invented word that has no existing meaning. Such trademarks are highly distinctive and more likely to be approved. It will be a good option. When you use a coined work, it will have no resemblance to anything that is already in the market. This makes your mark unique and easy to register. But, how to coin your mark? It is very simple and easy- just mix and match two or three words and derive a new word from it. But make sure that the coined term is not related to the goods or services for which it is used.<\/p>\n

How to create one?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Combine two or more words to form a new term. Ensure it does not relate directly to your product or service.<\/p>\n

Examples of coined terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Kodak for photography<\/li>\n
  2. Canon for the camera<\/li>\n
  3. Google for web browsers<\/li>\n
  4. Yahoo for the web browser and mail system<\/li>\n
  5. Spotify for the music application<\/li>\n
  6. Sony for the entertainment sector<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    2. Arbitrary mark:<\/h3>\n

    It is a well-settled rule that a brand name should not be related to or connected with the goods or services; otherwise, you will face section 9 objections. Section 9 objections are absolute grounds of refusal that will affect your registration process. It basically means that your mark is weak, descriptive or generic.<\/p>\n

    Examples for arbitrary marks:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Apple for Computers<\/li>\n
    2. Sun in connection with Software<\/li>\n
    3. Amazon for online market shopping<\/li>\n
    4. Shell for gas stations<\/li>\n
    5. Himalaya for beauty and skin products<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      3. Suggestive mark:<\/h3>\n

      Suggestive marks indirectly indicate the nature or quality of the product without explicitly describing it.<\/p>\n

      Examples of suggestive marks:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Netflix<\/li>\n
      2. Microsoft<\/li>\n
      3. Jaguar<\/li>\n
      4. Airbus<\/li>\n
      5. citibank<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        4. Animal or Plant names:<\/h3>\n

        When we suffix or prefix plant or animal names to the product name, the product name becomes unique, because trademarks are always considered as a whole, not in parts. \u00a0It is, however, to be noted that the distinctiveness of the mark will depend on the type of goods and the nature of services<\/p>\n

        Example :<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Tiger biscuits<\/li>\n
        2. Lion dates<\/li>\n
        3. Apple computers<\/li>\n
        4. Lotus herbals<\/li>\n
        5. Lotus software<\/li>\n
        6. Ford Mustang<\/li>\n
        7. Butterfly kitchen appliances<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          5. Unique first word:<\/h3>\n

          Normally, product names are not preferred on the mark, but if required, choose a unique name before the mark to make it a unique mark.<\/p>\n

          6. Action or Experience-Based Terms:<\/h3>\n

          Terms referring to action or experience will be unique and distinct, as they will have little resemblance to the product or service for which they are generated.<\/p>\n

          What to Avoid While Designing Your Trademark<\/h2>\n

          Now that you have an idea of what can make a good trademark, we will head towards what you can avoid while designing your mark.<\/p>\n