{"id":19692,"date":"2020-11-18T13:04:41","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T07:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/?p=19692"},"modified":"2024-07-02T15:41:06","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T10:11:06","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-grounds-for-trademark-rejection-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-grounds-for-trademark-rejection-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about Grounds for Trademark Rejection in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">A registered trademark can help the owner of the trademark prevent any unauthorized use of the mark and create an important intangible asset for your company. The <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/trademark-registration\"><strong>trademark registration<\/strong><\/a> process is long normally taking anywhere between 12-18 months time to know the final status of any filed trademark application. The application process for trademark takes a long time, many industry&nbsp;begin creating a brand around a trademark while the trademark application is still pending. Consequently, we look at some of the top grounds for Trademark Rejection in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-grounds-for-trademark-rejection-in-india\/#What_are_the_Grounds_for_Trademark_Rejection\" >What are the Grounds\nfor Trademark Rejection?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-grounds-for-trademark-rejection-in-india\/#What_sort_of_Objection_in_Case_of_Trademark_Rejection_can_get_Arise\" >What sort of Objection\nin Case of Trademark Rejection can get Arise?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-grounds-for-trademark-rejection-in-india\/#What_is_the_scenario_for_Refusal_of_the_Trademark_Registration\" >What is the\nscenario for Refusal of the Trademark Registration?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-grounds-for-trademark-rejection-in-india\/#How_to_file_Appeal_in_case_of_Trademark_Rejection\" >How to file Appeal\nin case of Trademark Rejection?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-grounds-for-trademark-rejection-in-india\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Grounds_for_Trademark_Rejection\"><\/span>What are the Grounds\nfor Trademark Rejection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A\ntrademark application is inspected comprehensively by the officials of the <strong><em>Trademark\nRegistry<\/em><\/strong>. If they find any kind of infringement of the law or violation\nof any other registered trademark then they can reject the application for\nregistration of the trademark. The status of the application will show as <strong><em>\u201cMarker\nfor Exam\u201d<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The Grounds for Trademark rejection are as follows-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-44.png\" alt=\"Grounds for Trademark Rejection\" class=\"wp-image-19697\" width=\"517\" height=\"517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-44.png 1000w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-44-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-44-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-44-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Correct\nApplication Procedure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The\nfirst thing the inspector will look for is whether the application filed is as\nper to the process and all the information has been provided is according to\nthe Trademark Act. If the inspector finds anything incorrect with the process\nor the documents required for the application then they will reject the\napplication for Trademark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If Similar to any\nRegistered Trademark<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When\napplying for trademark one has to make sure that the mark selected for\nregistration is not similar to an already existing trademark. This can be done\nby doing a public search on the official website of Intellectual Property India\nthat is the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks. If it is\nfound by the inspector that the trademark that is being applied for is similar\nto an already registered trademark then the application for Trademark is\nrejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Descriptive\nWords or Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If\nthe mark consists of any descriptive words or terms that are commonly used to\nidentify any product then the application for trademark will be rejected. For\nexample, if anyone tries to trademark the word \u2018SWEET\u2019 for products like\nchocolate then the application will be rejected as it will be not fair for\nother similar products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General Words\nor Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>General\nwords like PENCILS cannot be trademarked for selling the same products as only\none company cannot have the right to use these terms and use it uniquely. So\nsuch trademark can be rejected from registration by the examiner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Offensive Terms\nor Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A\ntrademark cannot include any offensive term or design because such marks will\nbe against the public morality as well as order of the public. Therefore, in terms\nof designs that are unpleasant will usually be rejected by the inspector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Confusing Terms\nor Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A\nconfusing mark or a misleading mark can be any mark that leads the customers to\nbelieve incorrectly about the origin, quality, producer, material etc of any product.\nFor example, if a mark is of n ORANGE but the product is red meat the mark can\nbe rejected on the grounds that it is misleading in terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Official\nDesigns or Words<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If\nthe mark consists of any official words, terms, designs or pictures then it\nwill be rejected for registration by the inspector as it is against public\nwelfare. It can fallaciously convince the consumer that it is excused by an\nofficial body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conditions and\nRestrictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If the inspector feels the mark is valid but still needs some situation or changes to its use or appearance then the application for Trademark can be rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-left\"><b>Read our article<\/b>:<mark style=\"background: #fffd03 !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/reasons-behind-trademark-registration-rejection\/\">Grounds for the Refusal of the Trademark Registration<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_sort_of_Objection_in_Case_of_Trademark_Rejection_can_get_Arise\"><\/span>What sort of Objection\nin Case of Trademark Rejection can get Arise?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After\nthe inspector has analyzed the Trademark for registration they have the right\nto object the registration. The status of the application will show <strong><em>\u201cObjected\u201d.<\/em><\/strong>\nAt this point, the candidate has the chance to put forward his case to the inspector.\nGenerally, the objection is raised under <strong><em>Section 9<\/em><\/strong> or <strong><em>Section 11<\/em><\/strong> of the Trademark\nAct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Objection under\nSection 9 of Trademark Act<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 9 of the Trademark Act gives <strong><em>absolute grounds for refusal<\/em><\/strong> of registration. Section 9 rejects any trademark that is:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-45.png\" alt=\"Objection under Section 9 of Trademark Act\" class=\"wp-image-19706\" width=\"456\" height=\"599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-45.png 761w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/image-45-228x300.png 228w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to counter\nthe objection under Section 9?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To counter the objection under Section 9 the applicant is required to prove that the trademark of the candidate can be easily eminent by the <strong><em>customer<\/em><\/strong> pertaining to the goods &amp; services provided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Objection under\nsection 11 of the Trademark Act<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Section\n11 of the Trademark Act provides for <strong><em>relative grounds for refusal <\/em><\/strong>of\nregistration. If the inspector objects under this section it will because the\nmark has similarities with an already registered trademark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In\nthis case, the inspector has to attach the conflicting parts of the trademark\nas well as the trademark with which it is conflicting. The applicant has to conquer\nthe objections sited by the inspector. It has to be done as per the section\nunder which the objection is raised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to counter\nthe objection under Section 11?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The applicant has two options-<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Test that the mark is different\nfrom the conflicting mark. The applicant is required to prove that his mark is\ndistinctively different from the conflicting mark and can absolutely be distinguished\nas two separate marks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get a No Objection Certificate (NOC)\nfrom the owner of the conflicting registered mark.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_scenario_for_Refusal_of_the_Trademark_Registration\"><\/span>What is the\nscenario for Refusal of the Trademark Registration?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once the inspector has taken into deliberation that the arguments of the applicants is against the objection of the Trademark registration they has the right to finally decide whether to allow the trademark to be registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The inspector will either push the status of the application to <strong><em>Exam Report Issued<\/em><\/strong> that states it has been approved and will be published in the official gazette that is <strong><em>Trademark Journal<\/em><\/strong> to open the chance for third parties to object. Or put the status to <strong><em>Refused<\/em><\/strong> that means the application for registration has been rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_file_Appeal_in_case_of_Trademark_Rejection\"><\/span>How to file Appeal\nin case of Trademark Rejection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If the registration of trademark is refused then the applicant has the final option to file for an appeal under the <em><strong>Intellectual Property Appellate Board<\/strong><\/em> (IPAB). An appeal to the IPAB should be filed electronically within 3 months of the date of issuance of the order of refusal by the registrar. The time limit can be extended if the appellant shows reasonable cause to why the appeal was filed in the Intellectual Property Appellate Board after the time limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Appeal\nto the Intellectual Property Appellate Board has two different type of process\ndepending upon the type of registration that was required by the applicant or\nthe appellant. The appeal has to be filed in the prescribed manner following\nthe Trademarks Rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\nis very important to understand the importance of protecting any trademark. The\nentire idea of publicity, advertising and sale are built around to maintain the\nbrand image thus making it very significant to make sure trademarks are\nregistered for the business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many owners file a trademark application without required knowledge of the Trademark, leading to Trademark rejection and loss of valuable time in protecting the trademark rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-left\"><b>Read our article<\/b>:<mark style=\"background: #fffd03 !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/benefits-of-trademark-registration-in-india\/\">A Deep Analysis on Benefits of Trademark Registration<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A registered trademark can help the owner of the trademark prevent any unauthorized use of the mark and create an important intangible asset for your company. The trademark registration process is long normally taking anywhere between 12-18 months time to know the final status of any filed trademark application. The application process for trademark takes [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":19693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[1223],"acf":{"service_id":"18"},"authorName":"Sakshi Srivastava","authorImageUrl":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG-20180130-WA0007.jpg","authorDescription":"Sakshi has pursued B.B.A.LL.B.(IPR Hons.). She is an avid reader and is keen to gather and share her knowledge on the subjects relating to IPR, Company Law and GST. Priorly she has worked as a legal researcher and vide her articles she aims at improving the core knowledge of the subjects to the masses.","postViews":5823,"readingTime":5,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19692"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19692"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65087,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19692\/revisions\/65087"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}