International Trademark
Registration in India
Global Vision Law Firm provides expert legal services for global trademark registration via the Madrid Protocol — filing from India Protocol through WIPO to protect your brand in 130+ countries with a single application. From your base Indian trademark to global protection, our IP lawyers guide you through every step of the international registration process.
What is International Trademark Registration in India?
International trademark registration in India means securing legal protection for your brand name, logo, or mark in multiple foreign countries — through a single, centralised application filed from India via the Madrid Protocol, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.
India acceded to the Madrid Protocol on July 8, 2013. Since then, Indian businesses can file one international application in English, pay fees in Swiss Francs (CHF) to WIPO, and obtain trademark protection in up to 130+ member countries — without filing separately in each country, hiring local lawyers everywhere, or managing dozens of renewal deadlines.
Before the Madrid System, protecting a trademark internationally meant: hiring lawyers in each country, filing in each local language, paying separate fees in multiple currencies, and tracking dozens of different renewal dates. The Madrid Protocol eliminated all of this complexity for Indian exporters, startups, and multinational brands seeking global trademark protection.
📌 India — WIPO Madrid System Member Since 2013
India is a member of both the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol. The Indian Trade Marks Registry (CGPDTM) acts as the "Office of Origin" for international applications filed by Indian applicants — certifying and forwarding applications to WIPO, Geneva.
⚠ WIPO System Maintenance — July 17-20, 2026
WIPO's Madrid System online services are unavailable from Friday July 17 (17:00 Geneva time) to Sunday July 19 (23:59). Any international trademark deadlines falling between July 17-20 are extended to Tuesday July 21, 2026. Plan filings accordingly — contact us immediately if you have an urgent deadline.
Madrid Protocol vs Direct Country Filing — Which Route?
For most Indian businesses seeking trademark protection in multiple countries, the Madrid Protocol is the recommended starting point. However, each route has specific advantages:
- →Protecting in 3+ countries simultaneously
- →Cost-efficient for multiple markets
- →Centralised renewal management
- →Single application, one language (English)
- →Countries: USA, EU, China, Japan, Australia, UAE, UK, etc.
- →Country is not a Madrid Protocol member
- →Highly customised local legal strategy needed
- →Filing in only 1-2 countries
- →Avoiding central attack dependency
- →Markets with complex examination requirements
📌 Our Recommendation
For most Indian businesses, we recommend a hybrid strategy — Madrid Protocol for major markets (USA, EU, China, Australia) combined with direct national filings for strategically important non-member countries. Our IP lawyers design the most cost-effective global protection strategy for your specific brand and markets.
How International Trademark Registration Works from India
The complete Madrid Protocol process — from base Indian trademark to global protection — from base mark to global protection.
Trademark Search — India & Target Countries
Before filing, we conduct a comprehensive search on India's IP India portal and the WIPO Global Brand Database to identify any identical or confusingly similar marks in your target markets. This step prevents costly oppositions and refusals after filing.
File Base Trademark in India (TM-A Form)
International trademark registration from India requires a base Indian trademark. If you don't have one, we file Form TM-A with CGPDTM. Fee: Rs 4,500/class (individual/MSME) or Rs 9,000/class (company) online. You receive an allotment number immediately — this becomes your Indian base mark.
Nice Classification — Identify Correct Classes
We classify your goods and services correctly under the Nice Classification (12th edition, 2025) across all 45 classes (34 goods + 11 services). Incorrect class selection is the most common and costly filing error — our IP lawyers ensure accurate classification for all designated countries.
Prepare TM-MM International Application
We prepare the TM-MM form (international application) in English, listing your base Indian mark details, designating all target countries, specifying goods/services per class, and calculating WIPO fees. The application is filed through the CGPDTM (Indian Trade Marks Registry) as the Office of Origin.
CGPDTM Certification & WIPO Forwarding
The Indian Trade Marks Registry certifies that your base mark exists in India and forwards the international application to WIPO Geneva. WIPO conducts a formal examination — checking completeness, not substantive registrability — and issues the international registration with an international registration date.
WIPO Notifies Designated Countries
WIPO notifies each designated country's trademark office. Each country has 12 months (or 18 months for countries that have declared the extended period) to examine the mark and issue a provisional refusal. If no refusal is issued within the examination period, the mark is protected in that country.
Respond to Office Actions in Designated Countries
If any designated country issues an office action or provisional refusal, we coordinate with local associates in that country to file a timely response. Each country's examination is independent — a refusal in one country does not affect protection in others.
Registration & Renewal Management
Once accepted by each designated country, the mark is protected for 10 years from the international registration date. We manage centralised renewal through WIPO — paying the renewal fee (653 CHF basic + designation fees) to WIPO before the 10-year deadline, covering all designated countries in one payment.
International Trademark Registration Fees — India to WIPO 2026
Complete fee breakdown for Madrid Protocol trademark filing from India — official government fees and WIPO fees explained clearly.
Part A — India Base Trademark Fees (CGPDTM)
Payable to India's Trade Marks Registry as per Trade Marks Rules, 2017 (last updated March 16, 2026)
| Fee Type | Applicant Category | Online Fee (Per Class) | Physical Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| TM-A — New trademark application | Individual / Startup / MSME | Rs 4,500 | Rs 5,000 |
| TM-A — New trademark application | Company / LLP / Partnership | Rs 9,000 | Rs 10,000 |
| TM-A — Expedited examination (Rule 34) | Individual / MSME | Rs 20,000 | N/A |
| TM-A — Expedited examination (Rule 34) | Company / LLP | Rs 40,000 | N/A |
| TM-MM — International application (handling) | All applicants | Rs 4,500–9,000 | As applicable |
| TM-O — Opposition filing | All applicants | Rs 2,700–3,600 | Rs 3,000–4,000 |
| Trademark renewal (10 years) | Individual / MSME | Rs 9,000 | Rs 10,000 |
| Trademark renewal (10 years) | Company / LLP | Rs 18,000 | Rs 20,000 |
Part B — WIPO Madrid System Fees (in Swiss Francs / CHF)
Payable to WIPO, Geneva. As of July 2026: 1 CHF ≈ Rs 94-96. Use WIPO's Madrid Fee Calculator at wipo.int for exact current figures.
| Fee Component | Amount (CHF) | Approx. INR (July 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic fee — International application (colour mark) | 1,000 CHF | ~Rs 94,000–96,000 | Per application |
| Basic fee — B&W / non-colour mark | 653 CHF | ~Rs 61,000–63,000 | Per application |
| Supplementary fee (per class, Classes 1-3) | 100 CHF/class | ~Rs 9,400/class | After first 3 classes |
| Country designation — Standard fee | Varies by country | Varies | Some countries charge individual fees |
| International renewal (every 10 years) | 653 CHF + country fees | ~Rs 61,000+ | Covers all designated countries |
| Subsequent designation (adding countries) | 300 CHF + designation fees | ~Rs 28,000+ | Can add countries later |
| 90% reduction — LDC designation | 10% of normal fee | Varies | For least-developed country designations |
💲 Example Cost — Filing in 5 Countries, 1 Class
Approximate total for international trademark registration from India in 5 countries (USA, UK, EU, China, Australia) for 1 class, non-colour mark: Basic fee 653 CHF + designation fees per country (typically 100-400 CHF each) = approximately 1,200-2,000 CHF total WIPO fees (~Rs 1.1 lakh to Rs 1.9 lakh) + India government fees + professional legal fees. Use WIPO's fee calculator at wipo.int/madrid for precise figures for your specific country selection.
Countries Where We File International Trademarks from India
130+ Madrid Protocol member countries — plus direct national filing in non-member markets. Our IP lawyers advise on the right combination for your business.
📌 Non-Madrid Countries — Direct Filing Available
For countries not part of the Madrid Protocol — including some Gulf states, African nations, and certain South American markets — we coordinate direct national trademark filings through our network of local associates. Ask our IP lawyers about the correct route for your target markets.
Central Attack Risk — The Most Dangerous Aspect of International Trademark Registration
The central attack is the single most significant risk in Madrid Protocol international trademark registration — and the one most commonly overlooked by businesses filing without experienced IP counsel.
For the first 5 years after the international registration date, your entire international trademark registration is completely dependent on your base Indian trademark. If your Indian base mark is cancelled, opposed, withdrawn, refused, or restricted for any reason during this 5-year period, your international registration in all designated countries is automatically cancelled to the same extent.
⚠ Triggers for Central Attack
• Successful opposition by a third party against your Indian base mark
• Cancellation proceedings against the Indian mark
• Failure to respond to examination reports at CGPDTM
• Non-renewal of the Indian trademark
• Withdrawal of the Indian application
• Restriction of the Indian mark to narrower goods/services
📌 Protection Strategy — How We Protect You
Our IP lawyers implement a central attack protection strategy: (1) Ensuring your Indian base mark is in the strongest possible form before international filing; (2) Monitoring all Indian Trade Marks Registry office actions; (3) Responding immediately to any opposition or examination report; (4) After 5 years, the international registration becomes fully independent of the Indian base mark.
Documents for International Trademark Registration from India
Our IP team will guide you through document preparation for both the Indian base mark filing and the WIPO international application.
- Clear representation of the trademark — logo (JPG/PNG), wordmark, or device mark
- Description of goods and services — with correct Nice Classification (12th edition, 2025)
- List of countries to designate for protection
- Indian base trademark application number or registration certificate (TM-A)
- Applicant identity — for companies: Certificate of Incorporation, PAN; for individuals: Aadhaar/Passport
- Business address in India (for CGPDTM correspondence)
- Date of first use in India (if mark is already in use)
- Power of Attorney / Vakalatnama authorising the trademark lawyer
- Priority claim documents (if claiming convention priority from an earlier foreign filing)
- WIPO fee payment details (CHF via bank transfer or credit card)
📌 WIPO eMadrid Portal
International applications are filed through WIPO's eMadrid portal at ipportal.wipo.int. Our IP lawyers are familiar with the complete eMadrid filing system and submit applications in compliance with all WIPO formal requirements, minimising the risk of deficiency notices.
Complete International Trademark Services from India
End-to-end trademark protection — from base Indian filing to global enforcement.
Madrid Protocol Filing from India
Complete TM-MM international application — country selection strategy, Nice class filing, WIPO fee calculation, CGPDTM filing, and WIPO correspondence management for 130+ countries.
India Base Trademark Registration
TM-A filing with CGPDTM — trademark search, class strategy, application drafting, prosecution, opposition response, and registration certificate for your Indian base mark.
Country Designation Strategy
Expert advice on which countries to designate via Madrid vs direct filing — balancing cost, central attack risk, market importance, and examination complexity across all target jurisdictions.
Office Action Response — Foreign Countries
Coordinating responses to office actions and provisional refusals issued by designated country trademark offices — through our network of local trademark lawyers in USA, EU, China, and other jurisdictions.
Central Attack Protection
Active monitoring and maintenance of your Indian base mark during the critical 5-year central attack vulnerability period — including opposition defence, examination responses, and renewal reminders.
Trademark Renewal Management
Centralised renewal management through WIPO for all designated countries — tracking 10-year renewal deadlines and filing renewals in one payment to WIPO covering your entire international portfolio.
Trademark Monitoring — Global
Monitoring newly filed trademarks globally — through WIPO's Global Brand Database and national registries — to identify conflicting marks before they achieve registration and create enforcement problems.
Inbound — Foreign Marks in India
Registering foreign trademarks in India — through Madrid Protocol designation of India or direct TM-A filing — for international businesses entering the Indian market.
Trademark Licensing & Assignment
Drafting international trademark licensing agreements, assigning marks across jurisdictions, recording assignments with WIPO and national offices, and ensuring proper territorial licensing compliance.
International Trademark Lawyer in India — Global Vision Law Firm
Our legal team combines IP expertise with commercial litigation experience — giving your international trademark the strongest possible legal foundation in India and globally.
Why Indian Businesses Trust Global Vision Law Firm for International Trademark Registration
13+ years of legal practice — combining IP expertise with commercial litigation and corporate law for comprehensive brand protection.
Frequently Asked Questions — International Trademark Registration in India
Common questions about the Madrid Protocol, WIPO filing, fees, and global trademark protection from India.
The Madrid Protocol for trademark registration from India is the process of securing trademark protection in multiple foreign countries through the Madrid Protocol, administered by WIPO. India joined the Madrid Protocol on July 8, 2013. An Indian applicant files one TM-MM international application through the CGPDTM (Office of Origin), which certifies and forwards it to WIPO, Geneva. WIPO registers the mark internationally and notifies each designated country's trademark office. If no refusal is issued within 12-18 months, the mark is protected in that country — without needing separate lawyers or filings in each jurisdiction.
The Madrid Protocol is a WIPO-administered treaty allowing trademark owners to seek protection in 130+ countries through a single international application. From India: (1) You need a base Indian trademark (filed or registered with CGPDTM); (2) File TM-MM through the Indian Trade Marks Registry; (3) CGPDTM certifies and forwards to WIPO, Geneva; (4) WIPO formally examines and registers internationally; (5) Each designated country examines the mark within 12-18 months; (6) If not refused, the mark is protected. The entire process is in English with fees in CHF — one language, one currency, one application for all countries.
Fees have two components: India (CGPDTM): Rs 4,500/class (individual/MSME) or Rs 9,000/class (company) for the base TM-A filing. WIPO (in CHF): Basic fee 653 CHF (non-colour) or 1,000 CHF (colour) + supplementary fees per class + individual designation fees per country. As of July 2026, 1 CHF ≈ Rs 94-96. Filing in 5 countries for 1 class typically costs 1,200-2,000+ CHF in WIPO fees alone (~Rs 1.1-1.9 lakh). Use WIPO's Madrid Fee Calculator at wipo.int for exact current figures. Professional legal fees are separate — we provide a written quote after assessment. Call +91 9599801188.
The central attack is the most dangerous risk in Madrid Protocol registration. For the first 5 years after international registration, your entire global trademark portfolio depends on your base Indian mark. If the Indian mark is cancelled, opposed, withdrawn, or refused for any reason during this period, your international registration in all designated countries is automatically cancelled. Triggers include: successful opposition in India, cancellation proceedings, failure to respond to CGPDTM office actions, and non-renewal. After 5 years, the international registration becomes independent. Our IP lawyers implement active monitoring and maintenance to protect your base Indian mark throughout this critical period.
The typical timeline for international trademark registration from India: Base Indian TM filing to registration: 12-18 months (if uncontested); International application processing through CGPDTM and WIPO: 2-3 months; Each designated country's examination: 12-18 months from international filing date. Total from start to full international protection: approximately 18-30 months if the base Indian mark is being filed fresh. If your Indian mark is already registered, the international process can begin immediately and full international protection may be achieved in 15-20 months across most countries.
Yes. Foreign companies and individuals can directly apply for trademark registration in India under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 — filed with CGPDTM through the IP India portal. A foreign applicant must provide an address for service in India (which our law firm provides). The filing fee is Rs 9,000/class online. Foreign companies can also use the Madrid Protocol — by designating India in their home country's international application. Our international trademark lawyers assist both inbound (foreign companies entering India) and outbound (Indian companies going global) trademark matters.
India's Madrid Protocol membership allows designation of 130+ member countries including: USA, UK, European Union (via EUIPO — covering 27 EU countries with one designation), China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Turkey, Indonesia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and many more. For non-member countries, we coordinate direct national filings through our local associate network. Our IP lawyers advise on the optimal country selection strategy for your specific target markets and budget.
Required documents: (1) Clear trademark representation (logo/wordmark as JPG or PNG); (2) Description of goods/services with correct Nice Classification; (3) List of countries to designate; (4) Indian base trademark application number or registration certificate; (5) For companies: Certificate of Incorporation, PAN; for individuals: Aadhaar/Passport; (6) India business address for CGPDTM correspondence; (7) Power of Attorney authorising our firm; (8) Date of first use in India (if applicable); (9) WIPO fee payment capability (CHF via bank transfer or credit card). Our IP lawyers provide a complete tailored checklist after the initial consultation.
Ready for International Trademark Registration in India?
Protect your brand in 130+ countries with a single application from India. Global Vision Law Firm — expert IP lawyers for Madrid Protocol filing, WIPO correspondence, and global trademark strategy. Free first consultation.