Trademark · Cost
Trademark Cost In India (India, 2026)
The cost of a trademark in India has two parts: the government filing fee, which is fixed and published, and the professional fee you pay someone to prepare and file the application. The government fee depends on who is applying and how many classes you file in. This guide sets out the current fee structure, what a logo versus a word mark costs, how copyright fees differ, and what the full spend usually looks like.
- Two parts: a fixed government fee plus a professional (service) fee.
- Government fee: charged per class, per mark; lower for individuals, startups and small enterprises.
- E-filing: cheaper than paper filing.
- Logo versus word: same per class fee; filing both means two applications and two fees.
- Class count: the main driver of the government cost; file only the classes you need.
- Copyright: a separate register with its own fees set by the Copyright Office.
01The two parts of the cost
When people ask what a trademark costs in India, they are usually mixing two different numbers.
- The government fee: a fixed, published amount paid to the Trade Marks Registry when you file the application form (TM-A). You cannot avoid or reduce this beyond the concession for small applicants.
- The professional fee: what you pay a trademark agent or attorney to run a search, pick the right class, prepare the application and handle objections. This varies widely by who you hire and how complex the mark is.
Only the government fee is fixed. The rest is a service charge and is open to negotiation. For the online filing steps themselves, see trademark registration online with the Government of India.
02Government fee for trademark registration
The government fee is charged per class, per mark, and there is a lower rate for individuals, startups and small enterprises than for larger applicants. E-filing is cheaper than filing on paper.
| Applicant type | Government fee per class (e-filing) |
|---|---|
| Individual, startup or small enterprise | lower concessional fee as notified |
| Company or other applicant (not small) | standard fee as notified |
| Paper filing (either type) | higher than the e-filing fee |
The exact rupee figures are set by the Trade Marks Registry and can be revised, so check the current fee on the official IP India site before you file. To claim the lower rate, a startup or small enterprise usually has to produce proof (for example an Udyam or startup recognition), which is why MSME registration charges often come up in the same conversation.
03Why class count drives the cost
Trademarks are filed under a system of classes, one for each broad category of goods or services (there are 45 in all). The government fee is charged for every class you file in.
So a business that sells, say, both clothing and cosmetics, and wants protection in both categories, pays the per class fee twice. Picking the right classes, and no more than you need, is the single biggest lever on the government cost. A common mistake is over filing in classes the business will never use, which multiplies the fee for no real protection.
The government fee is per class. Choosing the right classes, and only those, is what actually controls what you spend.
04Logo versus word mark
A frequent question is whether a logo costs more than a word. The government fee is the same for a word mark and a logo (a device mark) in the same class. There is no extra government charge for colour or design.
The real difference is strategic, not in the fee:
- A word mark protects the name itself, in any style.
- A logo mark protects that particular design.
- Many businesses file both, which means two applications and so two sets of government fees, but stronger protection.
So the phrase "logo trademark registration fees" is really just the normal per class fee applied to a device mark. The cost rises because you are filing a second application, not because a logo is taxed more.
05Copyright fees compared
People often ask about copyright fees in the same breath, because a logo can be protected by both a trademark and a copyright. They are different registers with different fees.
- Trademark: protects a brand sign (name, logo) used in trade, renewable every ten years. Fee is per class as above.
- Copyright: protects original creative work (artwork, writing, software). The registration fee is set by the Copyright Office and differs by the type of work.
Copyright registration fees are generally modest per work and are listed on the Copyright Office site. For a brand logo, many owners register the trademark for commercial protection and consider copyright separately for the artwork.
06What the full spend looks like
Putting it together, a single mark in a single class for a small applicant is usually a modest government fee plus a professional fee. The numbers scale with the number of classes and the number of marks (word plus logo).
| Scenario | What drives the cost |
|---|---|
| One word mark, one class, small applicant | one concessional government fee + one professional fee |
| Word and logo, one class | two applications, so two government fees |
| One mark across two classes | per class government fee charged twice |
| Objection or opposition raised | extra professional fee for the reply or hearing |
Budget for the possibility of an examination objection, which needs a written reply, and sometimes a hearing. That is the most common reason a simple filing ends up costing more than the headline fee.
07How Claw Tax helps
Claw Tax and Accounts is an online tax, GST and accounting service for India that connects you with a verified chartered accountant at a fixed, published price, with a Claw reviewer checking every filing before it is submitted.
Filing a trademark yourself on the IP India portal is possible, and for a straightforward word mark some applicants do exactly that and pay only the government fee. Claw Tax is for when you want the search done first so you do not file into a conflict, the correct class chosen, and the application prepared and tracked through any objection, at a price agreed up front.
A verified professional can run the search, pick the class, and file your trademark application at a fixed, published price (plus the government fee), with a Claw reviewer checking the filing and reminders before deadlines. See the services and prices at clawlaw.in/tax.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice; a verified professional handles the specifics of your mark.
08Frequently asked questions
What is the government fee for trademark registration in India?
It is a fixed, published fee charged per class and per mark, with a lower concessional rate for individuals, startups and small enterprises and a higher rate for other applicants. E-filing is cheaper than paper filing. The exact rupee figures are set by the Trade Marks Registry and can change, so confirm the current fee on the official IP India site before filing.
Does a logo trademark cost more than a word trademark?
No. The government fee is the same for a word mark and a logo (device mark) in the same class, with no extra charge for colour or design. Filing both a word and a logo costs more only because they are two separate applications, each attracting its own government fee.
How do I get the lower trademark fee for a startup or small business?
The concessional per class fee is available to individuals, startups and small enterprises. To claim it you usually have to attach proof such as an Udyam registration or startup recognition. Without that proof the standard (higher) fee applies, so arrange the registration before you file.
Why does a trademark cost more when there are multiple classes?
Because the government fee is charged for every class you file in. A business wanting protection across, say, two categories of goods pays the per class fee twice. Choosing only the classes you genuinely need is the main way to control the government cost.
What are copyright fees and how do they differ from trademark fees?
Copyright protects original creative work such as artwork, writing or software, and its registration fee is set by the Copyright Office and varies by the type of work. A trademark protects a brand sign used in trade and is charged per class. A logo can be protected by both, but they are separate registers with separate fees.
Will I pay more than the filing fee?
Often yes. If the Registry raises an examination objection you need a written reply, and sometimes a hearing, which adds professional fees. An opposition from a third party adds more. Budget for this possibility rather than assuming the headline filing fee is the final cost.