WHAT IS TRADEMARK REGISTRATION?

A trademark is a symbol which may be a word, name, device, label, numerals or combination of colours used to identify certain goods or services and distinguish it from other similar goods or services originating from a different undertaking. When a Company or an individual identifies a product, symbol or mark and wish to safeguard the same from being copied or misused then the Trademark registration is required. The registration provides the owner with the right to file a suit in case of Infringement of right, Builds trust and goodwill and also builds a separate Identification in the market. Trademark Act, 1999 allows you to register a trademark in India.

Application for logo registration can be done quickly and online. One can start using a “TM” symbol as soon as the application is made. However, TM registration process takes up to 5-6 months. It includes various processes for validating original ownership of the mark. Trademark registration in India is going through many innovative changes. Consider this – one can now avail trademark for Unconventional Marks through which even a distinct sound can now be registered as a trademark in India.

WHAT IS PATENT REGISTRATION?

A Patent is a government authority or license which gives you sole right to stop others from using, making, or selling the invention without your permission for a specified period. In India, the patenting system is governed by The Patent Act, 1970 and The Patent Rules, 1972.
It is a form of Intellectual property which gives its owner the legal right to excludes someone else from using, making or selling your invention.

A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. To get Patent Registration, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application; both natural persons and corporate entities may apply for a patent.

WHAT IS COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION?

Copyright is one of the major intellectual property rights. In simple terms, copyright is a bunch of rights entrusted for creative works such as text, artistic works, music, computer programs, sound recordings and films also termed as “work”. Copyright registration does not protect ideas, concepts, styles or techniques. For example, copyright will not protect an idea for a story or play, but it will protect a script for the same. A registered Copyright prevails throughout India.

These are the owner’s rights and his alone. Unless willingly given up through licenses, no one can violate them legally. This means that no one can perform a piece written by the owner or make copies of it unless the owner agrees.

• Literary, dramatic or musical work.
• Computer programs.
• Cinematograph film.
• Sound recording

WHAT IS DESIGN REGISTRATION?

In simple terms, a design is the outer appearance, shape, pattern, ornamentation or configuration of an article, either two dimensional or three dimensional, which is applied to enhance the visual appeal of an article. A design plays no role in the functionality or usefulness of the article, but merely adds to its visual appearance.
Customers are automatically attracted to the visual design and appearance of a product. The outward attractiveness of a product plays a decisive role and immediately makes the product more sellable. For this reason the manufacturers keep remodelling their articles to make them unique and eye-catching.  The visual features of a product have a direct impact on its sales and popularity and hence it is considered to be an important intellectual property of a business.
To protect intellectual property such as design of a company from any infringement or theft, the company is required to register its design at the Patent Office. The design registration will give the owner the legal and exclusive rights of use of the design for ten years.