{"id":265,"date":"2020-12-14T11:31:35","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T11:31:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/?p=265"},"modified":"2020-12-14T11:33:12","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T11:33:12","slug":"how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Avoid Rejections of Trademark Registration?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Trademark is a part of Intellectual property rights that consists of logo, designs, and signs etc so as to distinguish the products from the others. A trademark for a product helps to protect it from being misused by others. A trademark can be registered under the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999[1]. However, sometimes a trademark can be rejected on various grounds. Therefore, there is a need, for a person applying for trademark registration to know how to avoid rejections of Trademark Registration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article will help you to understand the reasons for the rejection of the trademark and how to avoid it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e1f8ecde0d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><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><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2e1f8ecde0d\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#What_is_a_Trademark\" title=\"What is a Trademark?\">What is a Trademark?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#What_is_the_procedure_for_Trademark_Registration\" title=\"What is the procedure for\nTrademark Registration?\">What is the procedure for\nTrademark Registration?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#Trademark_Application_Rejection-_Reasons\" title=\"Trademark Application\nRejection- Reasons\">Trademark Application\nRejection- Reasons<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#Section_9_%E2%80%93_Absolute_grounds_for_Refusal\" title=\"Section 9 \u2013 Absolute grounds\nfor Refusal \">Section 9 \u2013 Absolute grounds\nfor Refusal <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#Section_11-_Relative_grounds_for_Refusal\" title=\"Section 11- Relative grounds\nfor Refusal \">Section 11- Relative grounds\nfor Refusal <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#How_to_Avoid_Rejection_of_Trademark\" title=\"How to Avoid Rejection of Trademark?\">How to Avoid Rejection of Trademark?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#%C2%B7_Conduct_a_proper_Trademark_Search\" title=\"\u00b7 Conduct a proper Trademark Search \">\u00b7 Conduct a proper Trademark Search <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#%C2%B7_Avoid_Deceptive_marks\" title=\"\u00b7 Avoid Deceptive marks\">\u00b7 Avoid Deceptive marks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#%C2%B7_Avoid_offensive_Marks\" title=\"\u00b7 Avoid offensive Marks\">\u00b7 Avoid offensive Marks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#%C2%B7_Avoid_Descriptive_mark\" title=\"\u00b7 Avoid Descriptive mark \">\u00b7 Avoid Descriptive mark <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#%C2%B7_Avoid_obscene_marks\" title=\"\u00b7 Avoid obscene marks \">\u00b7 Avoid obscene marks <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#%C2%B7_No_Generic_Terms\" title=\"\u00b7 No Generic Terms\">\u00b7 No Generic Terms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#%C2%B7_No_use_of_Patriotic_Mark\" title=\"\u00b7 No use of Patriotic Mark \">\u00b7 No use of Patriotic Mark <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#What_happens_when_the_Trademark_Application_is_rejected\" title=\"What happens when the Trademark Application is rejected?\">What happens when the Trademark Application is rejected?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/how-to-avoid-rejections-of-trademark-registration\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion \">Conclusion <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Trademark\"><\/span>What is a Trademark?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A trademark means any mark such as a logo, design, sign, word, etc which is used for a brand to create a distinctive identity from the other brands in the market. The mark helps to build a reputation for the business of the trademark holder. Trademark helps to provide uniqueness to a brand and helps the people to trust such a brand once the mark is registered. Having a trademark registered is, therefore, necessary for any brand to avail all the advantages upon the registration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_procedure_for_Trademark_Registration\"><\/span>What is the procedure for\nTrademark Registration?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Choose a Brand Name <\/li><li>Apply for the trademark application on the portal of Trademark Registry<\/li><li>Apply using the correct form depending upon the type of trademark required <\/li><li>Submit the form and wait for allotment number<\/li><li>On satisfaction of the registrar, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/trademark-registration\" class=\"text-primary\">trademark registration certificate<\/a><\/strong> shall be issued to the trademark holder. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trademark_Application_Rejection-_Reasons\"><\/span>Trademark Application\nRejection- Reasons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The trademark application for the registration can be rejected by the examiner appointed by the Trademark Registry if on the examination of the application the examiner is not satisfied with the application on various grounds. Such grounds of trademark objections are specified under <strong><em>section 9 and section 11 of the Trademarks Act. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Section_9_%E2%80%93_Absolute_grounds_for_Refusal\"><\/span>Section 9 \u2013 Absolute grounds\nfor Refusal <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 9 of the act specifies the <em>absolute grounds for the refusal<\/em> of trademark registration. Under this section any mark is rejected which is: &#8211; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Generic<\/li><li>Descriptive<\/li><li>Deceptive of origin of the goods and services<\/li><li>Deceptive in nature of the goods and services<\/li><li>Deceptive in the quality of the goods and services<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Section_11-_Relative_grounds_for_Refusal\"><\/span>Section 11- Relative grounds\nfor Refusal <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Under this section, there are certain <em>relative grounds<\/em> for the refusal of trademark registration by the registry. Those marks are rejected which are similar to an already existing well-known trademark. Such marks are likely to create confusion in the minds of the people because of the similarity and identity with a well known registered mark. Therefore, under such circumstances, the trademark is rejected by the Registrar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, the\nTrademark Registrar may refuse to register a Trademark on certain grounds and\nreject the application. The following are the reasons for which a Trademark can\nbe rejected: &#8211; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Use of offensive words<\/li><li>Use of generic terms<\/li><li>Patriotic marks<\/li><li>Descriptive terms<\/li><li>Deceptive marks<\/li><li>Obscene marks<\/li><li>Use of surnames as marks<\/li><li>Already used marks<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Avoid_Rejection_of_Trademark\"><\/span>How to Avoid Rejection of Trademark?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Infographic-1024x510.png\" alt=\"How to Avoid Rejection\" class=\"wp-image-267\" width=\"637\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Infographic-1024x510.png 1024w, https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Infographic-300x149.png 300w, https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Infographic-768x382.png 768w, https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Infographic.png 1298w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%B7_Conduct_a_proper_Trademark_Search\"><\/span>\u00b7 Conduct a proper Trademark Search <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The applicant applying for the registration of a mark must do good extensive research before applying it. It is necessary for the applicant to look for a mark which is unique and has a distinct identity from the already existing marks. Before the submission of the application, the applicant must correct or make changes to the application and verify it carefully so as to avoid future rejection of Trademark Registration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%B7_Avoid_Deceptive_marks\"><\/span>\u00b7 Avoid Deceptive marks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The mark that is chose by the applicant must be unique. It is necessary for an applicant to be very careful while choosing a mark for his own brand as it should not be deceptively similar to the already existing well-known mark. Therefore a mark which has its own separate identity must be chosen by the applicant before applying for the registration of a trademark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%B7_Avoid_offensive_Marks\"><\/span>\u00b7 Avoid offensive Marks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The applicant must choose a mark which is not offensive to the people or against public morality and order. Therefore a mark which is offensive in character will automatically be rejected by the registrar and therefore the applicant must avoid choosing such a mark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%B7_Avoid_Descriptive_mark\"><\/span>\u00b7 Avoid Descriptive mark <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Marks which are common cannot be used for a brand. If a mark contains any descriptive term that is commonly used for example the word sweet for selling products like chocolates or candies will be rejected by the registrar. Therefore, the applicant should not use a descriptive mark for his brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%B7_Avoid_obscene_marks\"><\/span>\u00b7 Avoid obscene marks <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The applicant\nmust avoid using of slang words, provoking terms, repulsive words as it will\nget rejected by the registrar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%B7_No_Generic_Terms\"><\/span>\u00b7 No Generic Terms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Those Trademarks which represents the particular activity of a product or the actual business idea are likely to get rejected by the registrar due to the use of the generic term. Therefore, the applicant must avoid using generic terms for a product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%B7_No_use_of_Patriotic_Mark\"><\/span>\u00b7 No use of Patriotic Mark <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If a trademark\nconsists of an official name, flags, national emblem, animal image, states,\ninternational organisations etc then a mark is rejected by the registrar. Hence\nno mark should be used by the applicant for his brand which is patriotic in\nnature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_when_the_Trademark_Application_is_rejected\"><\/span>What happens when the Trademark Application is rejected?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If the application submitted by the applicant is rejected by the registry on the grounds as mentioned under Section 9 and 11 of the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999, the applicant has a right to make an appeal to the Appellate Board against the registrar of the trademark registry. The <strong><em>appeal<\/em><\/strong> can be filed within <strong><em>three months<\/em><\/strong> from the date of the rejection of the Trademark. However, the date can be extended on specifying the reasons for not filing the appeal within the stipulated time to the concerned authority. <\/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>Registration of a Trademark is an important part for every person who needs to protect and promote his brand in the market. Without the registration process, a brand can suffer from <strong><a class=\"text-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/learning\/ways-to-defend-yourself-in-case-of-trademark-infringement\/\">Trademark infringement<\/a><\/strong> and no legal aid can be availed for the same. Therefore, a person applying for registration of a Trademark must apply the application carefully and avoid rejections of Trademark Registration of his mark dues to various reasons. There are certain ideas which are needed to be kept in mind to avoid rejections of Trademark Registration application which has already been discussed in the article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Also, Read:<\/b> <mark style=\"background: #fffd03 !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/what-is-the-minimum-age-for-company-registration-in-india\/\">What is the Minimum Age for Company Registration in India?<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trademark is a part of Intellectual property rights that consists of logo, designs, and signs etc so as to distinguish the products from the others. A trademark for a product helps to protect it from being misused by others. A trademark can be registered under the Indian Trademarks Act, 1999[1]. However, sometimes a trademark can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[72],"tags":[93],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=265"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":272,"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265\/revisions\/272"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swaritadvisors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}