Trademarks You Can’t Register in India

Trademarks You Can’t Register in India

Blog Article

Not every brand name, logo, or slogan can be trademarked. Under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, marks that are obscene, offensive or against public morals are not allowed.

❗ What the Law Says

Section 9(2)(c) rejects trademarks that:

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  Contain vulgar or abusive words

  
  


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  Hurt religious or cultural sentiments

  
  


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  Mislead or confuse the public

  
  


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  Promote illegal or immoral behavior

  
  

⚠️ Commonly Rejected Marks

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  FCUK – Looked like a swear word

  
  


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  Cannabis/420 – Linked to drugs

  
  


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  Dirty Bastard (beer) – Seen as offensive

  
  

✅ When Controversial Marks Got Approved

Some unusual names like BIG BOOBS, NANGA PUNGA, and ALL INDIA BAKCHOD were accepted, showing that context matters and rejections aren't always final.

????️ What to Do If Rejected

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  Appeal the decision

  
  


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  Change the name slightly

  
  


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  Explain the meaning

  
  


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  Take legal action, if needed

  
  

✔️ Pro Tip

Stick to names that are clean, creative, and respectful. For tricky cases, consult a trademark expert to improve your chances of approval.

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