Trademark Registration in Surat

RM Legal advises businesses in Surat on the search, filing, prosecution and protection of trademarks under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Our office is at SNS Atria, Vesu, and we act for manufacturers, traders, start-ups and online sellers across the city, including in Ring Road, Sachin, Pandesara, Udhna, Varachha and Hazira.

How Trademark Applications from Surat Are Handled

Trademark applications are filed online with the Trade Marks Registry. Applicants whose principal place of business is in Gujarat fall under the jurisdiction of the Trade Marks Registry office at Ahmedabad. Examination reports, replies and most hearings are handled electronically, so a Surat business does not ordinarily need to travel to Ahmedabad to register a mark.

For the full registration process, timelines and renewal rules, see our Trademark Registration and Protection page.

Choosing the Right Classes for Surat Businesses

A trademark is protected only for the classes of goods or services in which it is registered. Goods and services are grouped into 45 classes under the Nice Classification. Classes commonly relevant to Surat's industries include:

Textiles and apparel: Class 23 (yarns and threads), Class 24 (fabrics, sarees, dress materials and textile goods), Class 25 (clothing and footwear) and Class 26 (laces, embroidery and trimmings)
Diamonds and jewellery: Class 14 (precious stones, diamonds and jewellery) and Class 35 (wholesale and retail trading services)
Chemicals and dyes: Class 1 (industrial chemicals) and Class 2 (dyes, pigments and colourants)
Textile machinery and engineering: Class 7 (machines and machine parts)
Food and snacks: Class 29 and Class 30 (processed foods, namkeen, sweets and spices)
Trading, retail and online selling: Class 35 (wholesale, retail and online retail services)

A textile brand that sells both fabric and finished garments, for example, will usually need protection in both Class 24 and Class 25. A business that both manufactures and trades may need its goods classes as well as Class 35. Filing in too few classes leaves gaps that others can occupy.

Common Issues for Surat Applicants

Descriptive or common words. Marks built on words such as "Silk", "Fashion", "Creation", "Diamond", "Gems" or "Textiles" often attract objections under Section 9 for lacking distinctiveness. A distinctive coined word, or a distinctive combination, improves the prospects of registration.
Crowded classes. Classes 24 and 25 are among the most heavily filed in India. Similar marks already on the register are a frequent ground of objection under Section 11, so a search before adoption is essential.
Family and trade names. Marks based on surnames or family names are common in Surat's trading communities and can conflict with earlier marks used by relatives or other businesses. Ownership should be agreed and recorded early, particularly in family businesses and partnerships.
Prior use and passing off. Many Surat brands have been in use for years without registration. A claim of prior use can be made at filing, supported by invoices, packaging and advertisements, and an unregistered mark can still be protected through an action for passing off.
Marketplace selling. Sellers on online marketplaces often need a trademark application or registration to enrol in brand protection programmes and to act against copycat listings.

Documents Typically Required

Name, address and legal status of the applicant (individual, partnership firm, LLP or company)
The mark: the word, and the logo or label in clear form, if any
A description of the goods or services
The date from which the mark has been used in India, if prior use is claimed, with a user affidavit and supporting evidence
A power of attorney authorising us to act
An Udyam (MSME) registration or DPIIT start-up recognition certificate, where the reduced official fee is claimed

Official Fees

The official fee for filing a trademark application online is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, start-ups and small enterprises, and ₹9,000 per class for other applicants. Further official fees apply to later stages such as opposition, renewal and recordal. These are government fees under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, and are separate from professional fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to visit the Trade Marks Registry in Ahmedabad?
Not ordinarily. Applications, replies and documents are filed online, and hearings are generally conducted by video conference.

My business has used its brand for years without registration. Can I still register it?
Yes. An application can claim the date of first use, supported by evidence such as invoices, packaging and advertisements. Prior use can also help in resolving conflicts with later applicants.

Can a partnership firm or a family business own a trademark?
Yes. A trademark can be owned by an individual, a partnership firm, an LLP or a company. It is important to decide at the outset which person or entity will own the mark, because changing ownership later requires an assignment and recordal with the Registry.

I sell sarees and dress materials. Which class should I file in?
Fabrics and dress materials generally fall in Class 24, and ready-made garments in Class 25. If you sell both, or plan to, you will usually need both classes. A class search before filing confirms the right coverage.

Can I use my brand while the application is pending?
Yes. You can use the ™ symbol once the application is filed. The ® symbol can be used only after registration.

How long does registration take?
An application that faces no objection or opposition commonly proceeds to registration within 12 to 18 months of filing. Timelines are longer if objections or oppositions arise.

Reviewed by Nandita Goyal, Advocate, enrolled with the Bar Council of Gujarat. Last reviewed: October 2026.