Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur – Eligibility, Benefits, Process, Process Time, Renewal

Overview of Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur

By definition, a trademark is a unique name given to a business/brand that either directly or indirectly is associated with the goods or services manufactured or is offered by the business entity to its relevant customers to make it easier for them to differentiate the goods/service of their rivals in the market. It is a sub-category of intellectual property rights that are formed out of a combination of intellectual labor as well as the creativity of any individual in particular.

A Trademark holds strong importance for any business since it helps to build unique brand identity among consumers in the relevant market and enhances business goodwill over time. For instance, trademarks such as Nike, Puma, Aggarwal sweets, CultFit, Maggie, Bisleri, etc are some well-known marks that have helped their businesses to create a unique identity among the public helping their business to grow manifold in the long run.

Therefore, no business could afford any misuse of the trademark by any third party that could cause huge business losses and loss of goodwill for a business. To prevent such situations, trademarks have been afforded protection through registration under the provisions of the Indian Trademarks Act 1999, which also includes other important provisions such as registration, prosecution concerning trademark rights, transfer or assignment of trademark rights, cancellation, etc. among others.

Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur

Manipur is one of the states among the seven sisters of northeast India. Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam border it and share international borders with Myanmar. During British rule, Manipur used to be a princely state. The state joined India on 11th August 1947 after the signature of the instrument of accession by Maharaja Budhachandra. The state’s official language is Manipuri, and the state consists of a 41% tribal population. There are different ethnic groups in Manipur that practice a variety of religions. As per the 2011 census, Hinduism is the major religion of Manipur, followed by Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Sanamahism.
The state’s economy is primarily dependent on agriculture and has significant hydroelectric power generation potential. Imphal airport is an international airport that connects the state to the whole world. The natural climate and soil of Manipur are ideal for horticulture crops. Many rare and exotic medicinal and aromatic plants are found in Manipur. Major cash crops grown in the state are cashew, lichi, walnuts, lemon, papaya, pineapple, orange, peach, plum, and pear. The majority of cultivators in Manipur are women. The people of Manipur still follow the traditional cultivation method, so agricultural modernization is yet to be founded in Manipur. The best tourist season to visit Manipur is October to February. The state has rich culture and values. It is said that Polo, the royal game originated in Manipur.
Capital- Imphal

The startup ecosystem of Manipur
Manipur is slow but steadily began to take the initiative towards creating a robust startup ecosystem. The Manipur government outlined its startup policy in 2016. The startup policy of Manipur is known as the ‘Manipur startup policy.’ The vision of the startup policy is to make Manipur a top startup destination in the north-eastern region by taking different initiatives.
Under the startup policy, the Manipur government has established a startup cell in the state planning department. The motto behind establishing the startup cell is the implementation of the startup policy of the state. Through the startup policy, the Manipur government targets to build a strong startup ecosystem by assisting startups at various stages like pre-idea, idea, or prototype.
Through the startup policy, the state wants to create a Network of Entrepreneurship Development Centres (NEDC) with universities and institutions of higher education. The state will create a mentor expert network for startups. The valid startup policy of Manipur is yet to be notified, and the policy’s implementation date and guidelines will be drafted post-launch.

Top business ideas in Manipur
Manipur is known as ‘India’s gateway to the East.’ The state has an agricultural economy. Besides agriculture, it is dependent on industries, tourism, and mining for its economic development. The different crops grown in Manipur includes pulses, wheat, maize, rice, etc. If you aspire to set up a small business in Manipur following are the best options: –

Craft making
Manipur has a rich culture, and the craft of Manipur is famous worldwide. Women of Manipur make different decorative items and crafts. These are not random and ordinary crafts, but they reflect the culture and tradition of Manipur. The traditional decoration supplies and handicrafts of Manipur will always be in high demand, so setting up a craft-making business in Manipur can make you huge profits with less investment.

Handloom business
The Handloom industry of Manipur is famous for its colorful and cultural textures. For the local people, the handloom industry is a major source of livelihood. The women of Manipur are majorly engaged in the handloom industry; they have inherited this skill from their ancestors. Above all, the Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Department Corporation and the state government are also trying to market local artisans’ handloom products. So, a handloom industry in Manipur is also a good startup option. To establish the handloom industry in Manipur, you must contact local artisans, especially women.

Food processing business
Manipur is agricultural land, so the food processing industry is an ideal option in Manipur. Even the Government of Manipur is also trying to promote and develop the food industry by implementing different schemes under the central sector schemes. Besides, the state government is planning an initiative to open a food park at Nilakuthi. With the state government’s schemes, the food processing business will surely make good profits. This is a low-investment business but will help you make long-term profits.

Bamboo industry
Manipur has a lot of bamboo as it is rich in bamboo production. Majorly women are involved in the production of bamboo. By setting up, the bamboo industry you will create employment opportunities for local artisans. Besides this, bamboo is a crucial part of traditional cuisine in the North-Eastern states. So, it is surely a good small-scale business idea, especially for ladies living in rural areas as they know bamboo production and related activities.

Although the registration of a trademark for any business in India is not compulsory, it is generally advisable to obtain one to avail of trademark registration due to its numerous benefits. For example, in the case where any trademark is unregistered, there are no specific rights for the infringement of such an unregistered trademark. However, if a registered trademark is infringed by any third party, such party shall be liable for a hefty sum as a penalty under the Trademarks Act 1999.

Unlike other Intellectual properties, a trademark doesn’t have a long validity period. Once allowed registration, a trademark is only valid for ten years from the date of registration and could be renewed through submission of an application to the Controller of Trademarks for a further period of another 10 years.

What Could Be Registered As A Trademark in Imphal, Manipur?

Every proprietor/owner of a trademark in Imphal, Manipur should have complete knowledge about the trademark registration requirements including what could be or what cannot be allowed as registration as per the Trademarks Act 1999.

A trademark or tradename could by either one or any combination for any of the following-

• Any Letter or Word
• Number
• Phrase
• Graphics
• Logo
• Sound Mark
• Smell or
• A particular mixture of colors

Eligibility for Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur

While filling out the Trademark Registration form in Imphal, Manipur, the person whose name is stated as the applicant will be deemed to be the proprietor/ owner of the trademark on the successful completion of the registration process. However, any of the following is eligible to make an application for trademark registration in Imphal, Manipur with proper authorization-

• Any Individual or A Person
• A Sole Proprietorship Firm
• Partnership Firm
• An Indian Company
• An LLP
• Society or Trust

Benefits of Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur

Grants Exclusive Rights to the owner in Imphal, Manipur

Each registered proprietor/owner of the trademark enjoys absolute rights over the registered trademark such as the right to apply such trade name or mark over the goods, transfer rights by way of license for a limited duration, and bring a cause of action against those using the trademark illegally and making profits against such unauthorized use of the registered trademark.

Creates Brand Awareness & Business Goodwill in Imphal, Manipur

Since every registered trademark has unique features, it helps the brand/ business of the trademark owner recognized with a distinct identity, establishes trust, and thus increases business goodwill in the relevant market.

Grants Legal Protection against Unauthorized Use in Imphal, Manipur

The biggest benefit offered by the registration of a trademark is through obtaining legal protection under the Trademarks Act 1999. Therefore, whenever any person makes use of any such registered trademark without any authorization/permission of the trademark owner, he could object in a court of law and even seek damages from a such third party, which would be much harder to prove in case the infringement of unregistered trademark happens.

Facilitates Transfer of Trademark related rights in Imphal, Manipur

On successfully obtaining trademark registration, the registered proprietor/owner gets complete &exclusive ownership rights related to the trademark obtained. Thus, the trademark owner can either sell or transfer all or any of the rights through lease, assign, franchising, and entering any commercial contract with any third party with respect to such rights and earn profits on the same.

Acts as Basis for Seeking Global Protection in Imphal, Manipur

In the age of globalization, most businesses want to go take their business global by taking them beyond national boundaries. However, they would also require global protection for their trademarks for the trademark registered for goods/services manufactured in India. But, prior registration of a trademark in India is a pre-requisite and absolute requirement to seek global protection of the trademark concerned in a foreign nation.

Grounds for Refusal of Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur

Any proposed trademark to be registered could only be refused either under the provisions of Section 9 of the Act, better known as Absolute Grounds of Registration, or under the provisions of Section 11 of the Act also known as Relative Grounds of Registration which has been described below.

Absolute Grounds in Imphal, Manipur

Section 9 of the Trademarks Act 1999 provides that any trademark which is devoid of any distinctive character and/or doesn’t adequately distinguishes the goods or services of one person from those of others cannot be allowed registration under the Act. However, there are two exceptions to the absolute grounds for refusal of registration, that any mark-

1. has become so customary in the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade that it has acquired distinctiveness on its own and
2. The mark is a well-known trademark that contains exclusive marks which serve in the trade to define kind, quality, etc.

Further, a trademark shall not be allowed to be registered as per section 9(2) of the Act, if a trademark –

• Is of such a nature that deceives or causes confusion to the public;
• It contains any matter likely to hurt the religious sentiments of any class or section of the citizens of India;
• Contains any scandalous or obscene matter;
• Its use is prohibited under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950;
• Consist of marks of the shape of goods which result from the nature of goods themselves or are necessary to obtain a technical result.

Relative Grounds in Imphal, Manipur

Section 11 provides that a trademark shall not be registered in cases where-

• The identity of the trademark in question is identical with an existing trademark for either goods/services;
• There exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public, and if allowed registration it could take unfair advantage of a similar or identical earlier well-known trademark in India.

Process of Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur

Unlike others, the process of registration of a trademark takes time to complete, yet it is an effective process undertaken by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) through the Trademark registry of India. Provided below is the step-by-step process of trademark registration in India-

Step 1- Choose a suitable Trade Name and Class in Imphal, Manipur

In the first step of registration, the proposed trademark applicant shall be required to search for a suitable mark along with the class of trademark that adequately represents the business offerings (or is indicative of the unique quality of goods/services) and at the same time is sufficiently distinct from the existing trademarks in the relevant market. As provided under the Trademark registry, class 1-34 prescribes a category of trademark for goods manufacturing, whereas class 35-45 prescribes trademarks for services.

Step 2- Search For the availability of the proposed mark in Imphal, Manipur

After the applicant finalizes the proposed trademark, he will be required to check whether the proposed mark closely resembles any existing mark or has been taken already by someone else already for registration purposes.

To avoid such situations, it is always suggested to choose at least two-three trademarks for registration purposes that could be further affirmed by checking them on the online trademark registry. The online Trademark registry has functionality in place which allows an applicant to enter the proposed name with the proposed class and click the option to make the public search of any trademarks similar/closely related to the proposed trademark which have been taken or registered already under same class thus helping him to save his time & money in the process.

If the applicant finds no similar trademark under the prescribed class of goods/services in the Trademark Registry, he will be free to choose the same & can move forward to application filling.

Step 3- File & Submit Trademark Application in Imphal, Manipur

Next, the applicant will be required to access the online portal of Controller of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks by logging in to the website https://ipindia.gov.in/.Now, click Trademark Registration, after which the registration form TM-A will be opened and filled by either the applicant by himself or through authorizing any agent for TM registration process.

Similarly, the application could either be made under any “one” Class or more than “One” class of trademarks and the registration fee for the trademark will differ slightly-

But, it is to be noted that the application should be filled with caution to ensure there are no mistakes leading to rejection of the application.

Step 4-Draft & Submit Reply to Any Trademark Objections in Imphal, Manipur

After the submission of the TM registration application, the Controller of Trademarks will examine the application with respect to the following either-

• The application so proposed qualifies the criteria of uniqueness under section 9 of the Trademarks Act 1999 and
• It is not ‘too similar’ with any existing trademark to suggest any relativeness with such trademark under Section 11 of the Trademark Act 1999.

If the examiner is of opinion regarding the uniqueness & distinctiveness of the TM application or too closely similar to any existing application, he will issue a trademark objection notice seeking a reply from the applicant to prove how his application is worthy of registration, that will be required to be drafted and submitted within a total period of 30 days from the date of receipt of the objection. Till the period of reply of notice is submitted & examined, the status of the trademark shall be displayed as “Objected” in the Trademark registry.

Upon receiving the reply of objection from the applicant the examiner will be required to examine the contents of the application and form an opinion, on whether all the objections have been adequately cleared. If he is satisfied that all the objections have been cleared, may allow the trademark application to be published in the Trademark journal as “Accepted & Advertised” to receive any final objections from any third party in cases they find that the application is too closely resembles their trademark and they apprehend that if allowed registration, the proposed trademark will gain unworthy profits from the same.

But, if the Examiner of Trademarks is not satisfied with the reply of the applicant on the objections made by him, he may seek additional replies along with attached evidence or proofs or even schedule a hearing for the trademark application to allow the applicant to clear the objections. It could take anywhere between two-four months from the date of the receipt of the objection.

Step 5- Receipt of Final Objections in Imphal, Manipur

Later, once the concerned trademark application is published as ‘Accepted & Advertised’ as accepted in the Trademark journal, it is open to be opposed by any existing proprietor/trademark owner who believes that the concerned trademark is too similar to his/her existing trademark and the proposed applicant intends to benefit from the goodwill of the existing trade name/mark in the relevant market.

On receipt of any final objection, the examiner will examine the objections received and seek a counter-reply from the proposed applicant through his registered email address to be submitted within two months. Hence, the applicant will be required to draft and submit a counter-statement explaining all the objections posed by the proprietor/owner of any existing trade name/mark thereby convincing the examiner that the proposed trademark is unique as well as distinctive from the mark/s of the opponent/s.

Step 6- Satisfaction by the Controller of TM in Imphal, Manipur

If the Controller is satisfied with the counter–reply submitted by the applicant that the proposed TM is unique and doesn’t pose any threat to any existing mark. In such a situation, the Controller may dismiss the objection and allow the trademark to be advertised as “Registered” in the Trademark journal. However, if the Controller of Trademark is not satisfied with the counter-statement received, he may refuse the application or seek further clarification from the parties (i.e. applicant as well as the opponent) for making the final decision by scheduling a hearing on the decision on a particular date providing both the parties an opportunity of being heard. After hearing both the parties, if the Controller is satisfied that the application is sufficiently unique and doesn’t suggest relativity with the opponent’s trademark, he may grant registration of Trademark by issuing a Trademark registration certificate and get the application published as “Registered” in the Trademark journal with the effective date.

Time Involved In the Registration Process in Imphal, Manipur

The process of trademark registration involves many steps which take time for verification purposes, thus making it a time-taking process altogether which takes around 18-24 months normally. However, the applicant will receive a trademark reference number in the provided registered email id within 2-5 working days from the date of making an application.

Renewal of Trademark in Imphal, Manipur

Every registered trademark comes with a total validity period of ten years from its effective date of registration after which it should be renewed. To renew the Trademark application, the trademark proprietor/owner shall file Form TM-R along with the prescribed fee of Rs 9000 per class any time before one year from the expiry of the trademark registration in Imphal, Manipur.

Any failure of the applicant to timely renew the trademark will make it liable to be removed from the Register of Trademarks and available to be taken by any other TM applicant. But, no trademark shall be removed from the Register of Trademarks until a notice has been served on the proprietor/trademark owner’s registered address by the Registrar.

Conclusion of Trademark Registration in Imphal, Manipur

Therefore, a trademark is one of the precious business assets owned by a business that helps it to create a distinct identity of the concerned goods or services, build brand trust and loyalty, and strong business goodwill in the long run which becomes yet another asset of the company adding up to its market valuation. However, the process of trademark registration should be undertaken carefully with expert assistance from someone having experience in trademark registration which will lead to lesser costs, efficient drafting work, and timely receipt of trademark registration for the smooth sail way for your business.