‘TM’ Symbol
This symbol can use with the brand name until your trademark is not registered and the application is in pending status. This is to inform the public of his exclusive claim over the brand. The claim may or may not be valid depending upon the result of trademark registration.

‘SM’ Symbol
It is also a kind of trademark which Service Mark, but it identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather than a product. For example, you will use TM for a product and SM for a service like housekeeping.

‘R’ Symbol
This symbol is only applicable for your brand when the mark is being registered and the Certificate of Registration is issued by the Trademark Registrar.

Step 1
The Process begins with searching the availability of Trademark, which provides information about the identical or similar trademarks that has been already filed with the registrar. It can be done by visting Trademark registrar website which is government official website.
Step 2
Once trademark search is completed then application for trademark registration can be filed with Trademark registrar through FORM 48. Once the application is filed and submitted then the user is alloted with a registration number which is also known as TM number, user can suffix TM symbol to logo.
Step 3
Once the trademark registration application is filed, the Trademark Registrar will apply the Vienna Classification to the trademark based on the figurative elements of marks. While this work is in progress, the trademark application status usually reflects as “Sent for Vienna Codification”.
Note:- The Vienna Classification or Vienna Codification is a worldwide characterization of the components of the trademark.
Step 4
Once Vienna classification or codification is completed the application will undergo for examination by trademark officer for checking the geniuneness of the documents provided with the application. After completion of review the officer issues a report which may results in acceptence or objection or rejection.
Once the trademark got accepted then it is futhur processed to publish in trademark journal, if trademark application got objected then applicant is called fur to address the objections by giving clarification. Once the officer got satisfied then application go for the furthur process orelse it will be rejected and applicant has right to appeal the decision before Intellectual Property Appellate Board.

Step 5
After getting acceptance for the application then such application is furthur processed for publication in Journal, the trademark journal is published weekly and contains all the trademarks that have been accepted by the Trademark Registrar. Once the trademark is published in the trademark journal, the public have an opportunity to object the trademark registration, if they believe they will be damaged by that registration. If there are no objections filed within 90 days of that publication, the mark will typically be registered within 12 weeks – months time.
If the trademark registration application is opposed by a third-party, hearing will be called for by the Trademark Hearing Officer. Both the trademark applicant and the opposing party have the chance to appear at the hearing and provide justifications for registration or rejection of the trademark application.
Step 6
Once the trademark got accepted after publication without any objection then trademark registration certificate will be issued to applicant.

Individuals & Sole Proprietorship
Any individual – Indian National or Foreign National can easily register a trademark in India. There is no requirement for forming a legal entity or business entity to register a trademark. Further, the documents required to register a trademark in the name of a proprietorship are the same as that of an individual as under:

• Copy of the logo, preferably in black & white (Optional). In case logo is not provided, the trademark application can be filed for the word.
• Signed Form-48. Form-48 is a authorisation from the applicant to a Trademark Attorney for filing the trademark application on his/her behalf.
• Identity Proof of the individual or Proprietor.
  a. Aadhar/ Driving License
• Address Proof of the individual or Proprietor.
  a. Property Tax Recipt
  b. Rental Agreement/ Electricity Bill with NOC if Rented property

Partnership / LLP / Company – Small Enterprise or Startup
The trademark registration in india fee varies between Rs.4500 to Rs.9500. For small enterprises, startups, proprietorships and individuals, the lower trademark fee of Rs.4500 is applicable. For all other entities, the trademark government fee applicable is Rs.9500. To be classified as a small enterprise, the applicant would have to provide Udyog Aadhar registration certificate. Further, in addition to the Udyog Aadhar registration, the following details would be required.

Partnership / LLP / Company
In case of a partnership firm or LLP, the entrepreneur would have to submit the following:

• Copy of Logo (Optional)
• Signed Form-48.
• Udyog Aadhar Registration Certificate.
• Incorporation Certificate or Partnership Deed.
• Identity Proof of the Signatory.
  a. Aadhar/ Driving License
• Address Proof of the signatory.
  a. Property Tax Recipt
  b. Rental Agreement/ Electricity Bill with NOC if Rented property

Other Applicants
All other applicants, including companies that do not have Udyog Aadhar registration will have to submit the following documents to obtain trademark registration in India.

• Copy of Logo (Optional)
• Signed Form-48.
• Incorporation Certificate or Partnership Deed.
• Identity Proof of the Signatory.
  a. Aadhar/ Driving License
• Address Proof of the signatory.
  a. Property Tax Recipt
  b. Rental Agreement/ Electricity Bill with NOC if Rented property