Every IP India Trademark Status Explained: Meaning, Deadline, Form, Next Step
A plain-English table of 15 IP India trademark statuses. For each one: what it means, the deadline it starts, the form to file, and what to do next. Last verified October 2026.
Reference · Trademark Status
You open the IP India e-Register and see one line: “Objected”, or “Ready for Show Cause Hearing”. It looks small, but each status can start a clock. Miss that clock and the application can be treated as abandoned. This page explains what each common trademark status means, which deadline it triggers, which form is used, and what to do next. Last verified October 2026.
- Objected: reply within one month of the examination report (Rule 33(4)).
- Accepted and Advertised: four months for any notice of opposition, Form TM-O (Section 21, Rule 42).
- Opposed: applicant files a counterstatement within two months.
- Registered: valid ten years, then renew with Form TM-R (Section 25).
- Ready for Show Cause Hearing: not a refusal. Prepare and attend.
01Why a status line matters more than it looks
The e-Register status is the Registry’s way of telling you where your mark stands. It is not a legal opinion. It is a label for a stage. But many stages come with a time limit, and the Registry does not always chase you.
Some statuses are quiet and safe
“Formalities Chk Pass” or “Marked for Exam” need no action from you. You only wait.
Some statuses start a clock
“Objected” and “Accepted and Advertised” are the two big ones. One gives the applicant one month. The other opens a four month window for others to oppose. Missing the first can cost you the application. Missing the second window as an opponent can cost you the chance to stop a rival mark.
Some statuses are not what they sound like
“Ready for Show Cause Hearing” does not mean refused. “Objected” does not mean rejected. Reading them wrongly leads to wrong advice to clients.
If you manage patents and other IP dates too, see the Indian patent deadline master calendar for the patent side.
02The life of a trademark application in one minute
A normal application moves like this: filing, formalities check, examination, then either acceptance or an examination report with objections. If objections stay, there is a hearing. If the mark is accepted, it is advertised in the Trade Marks Journal for four months. If nobody opposes, it is registered for ten years. Then renewal comes up.
Each step has an e-Register label. The table below follows that order. The label wording is the one the Registry shows. Wording can vary slightly by screen, so match by meaning.
One drafting point
For a logo, the Registry may add a step for Vienna classification of the device. This is the same classification idea covered in our guide to Locarno classification, but Locarno applies to designs, while Vienna applies to logo marks. Do not mix them up.
03Trademark status reference table: meaning, deadline, form, next step
One table, 15 statuses. Rule and section references are to the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Where a form number could not be confirmed against the primary source, we say so in plain words and do not guess.
| Status on e-Register | What it means | Deadline it triggers (basis) | Form to file | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Application | Filing details are entered in the Registry system. | None for you. | None | Wait. Note the application number. |
| Send to Vienna Codification | A logo or device mark is being coded by its visual elements. | None for you. | None | Wait. This is an internal step. |
| Formalities Chk Fail | The application has a defect in form, fee or documents. | A deadline to cure may apply. | Reply or corrected document, as the notice says. | Read the deficiency notice and cure it at once. |
| Formalities Chk Pass | Form, fee and documents are in order. Not yet examined. | None for you. | None | Wait for examination. |
| Marked for Exam | The application is in the queue for the Examiner. | None for you. | None | Wait. Prepare for a possible objection. |
| Objected | An examination report raised objections, usually under Sections 9 and 11. | Reply within one month of receiving the report (Rule 33(4)). Otherwise the Registrar may treat it as abandoned. | Written reply to the examination report; also request a hearing if wanted (Rule 33(6)). | File a reply with legal arguments and evidence, and ask for a hearing. |
| Ready for Show Cause Hearing | The reply did not satisfy the Registry, or you asked for a hearing. A hearing is being listed. | Attend on the notice date. Failure to appear can lead to abandonment. | Hearing request or adjournment request, if needed. | Prepare written submissions and attend the hearing. |
| Refused | The Registrar refused the application after considering the reply or hearing. | Appeal period runs from the order (Section 91). | Appeal in the High Court (not a Registry form). | Get a copy of the order, check the reasons, decide on appeal. |
| Abandoned | No reply, no appearance, or a defect was not cured in time. | Time to seek restoration is limited. | Restoration request, if allowed. | Act fast. Ask a trademark attorney to review options. |
| Accepted and Advertised | The mark is accepted and published in the Trade Marks Journal. | Four months from advertisement for any notice of opposition (Section 21(1)). | Notice of opposition: Form TM-O (Rule 42). | Applicant: watch for opposition. Third party: decide on opposing before the window closes. |
| Advertised before Acceptance | In special cases the mark is advertised before it is formally accepted (Section 20(1) proviso). | Same opposition window runs from advertisement. | Notice of opposition: Form TM-O. | Treat like the line above, but remember acceptance is still pending. |
| Opposed | A notice of opposition was filed against the mark. | Counterstatement within two months of getting the notice (Section 21(2)). Evidence stages follow under Rules 45 and 46, two months each. | Counterstatement; then evidence affidavits. | File the counterstatement on time. Plan evidence. Expect a hearing. |
| Registered | No opposition, or opposition decided in your favour. Registration is granted. | Term of 10 years from the date of application (Section 25). Renewal falls due before it ends. | None now. Later: Form TM-R for renewal. | Diarise the renewal date and set up conflict watch. |
| Withdrawn | The applicant, or an authorised agent, asked to withdraw the application. | None. The file is closed. | Withdrawal request. | If this was a mistake, take advice at once. A fresh filing may be needed. |
| Removed | The registration was not renewed and was removed from the register (Section 25). | Limited time to restore, with a fee and surcharge. | Restoration: Form TM-R. | Check if restoration is still possible. If not, re-file. |
Last verified October 2026. Always check the live e-Register and the Trade Marks Rules before you rely on a date.
04The three deadlines that cause the most damage
1. One month to answer an examination report
Under Rule 33(4), if you do not respond within one month from receiving the examination report, the Registrar may treat the application as abandoned. Note the words “may treat”. It is not automatic, but you should never test it.
2. Four months to oppose
Section 21 gives four months from advertisement to file a notice of opposition. A later extension may be available on request, but plan as if it is not.
3. Two months for the counterstatement
If you are the applicant and you are opposed, you must file a counterstatement within two months of receiving the notice. If you do not, the application can be treated as abandoned. Evidence stages then run in two month blocks under Rules 45 and 46.
Most lost trademarks are not lost in court. They are lost to a one month window nobody diarised.
05After registration: renewal and the long tail
A registered trademark lasts ten years. Renewal is done by Form TM-R under Section 25. You can file in the window before expiry, and a grace period with a surcharge exists after expiry. If the mark is not renewed, it can be removed from the register and the status changes to “Removed”.
Registration does not end the work. Rivals may file similar marks later. Those new marks appear in the Trade Marks Journal, and you can oppose them within four months. If a dispute goes to court, the High Court IP Divisions hear it. Delhi High Court tracks such matters under IPD case types such as C.O.(COMM.IPD-TM).
06How to track statuses without missing one
You have three honest options.
- Check the e-Register by hand. It is free. It works for a handful of marks. It fails when you have dozens, because nobody remembers to look.
- Use a docketing system. Specialist IP docketing tools exist for large IP firms. Global tools such as Anaqua, Clarivate and Dennemeyer lead on multi-country docketing and annuities. For very high volume IP-firm docketing in India, Iolite and JSK are specialist names.
- Use an all-in-one legal platform if your team also handles litigation, so registry dates and court dates sit in one calendar.
For a fuller comparison of options for case and matter tracking, read the best case tracking software in India.
07Where Claw fits
Claw is an all-in-one legaltech platform for Indian advocates, law firms, and corporate legal teams, combining AI-based case search, an AI legal assistant (Legal GPT), case management, and compliance automation across all Indian courts and tribunals.
For trademarks, Claw’s IPR Solutions tab tracks IP India registry matters across trademarks, patents, designs and geographical indications. It watches the Trade Marks Journal for conflicting marks using text, phonetic and visual matching, and alerts you. It also lists pending compliances such as trademark renewals, and pending hearings from trademark and patent filings, with related documents and tasks. Alongside the registry, Claw tracks IP litigation across Indian courts that have a case website, including party-name infringement discovery and High Court IP Division hearings, orders and cause lists, and IP judgment research over 30 crore+ judgments. The platform covers 9,102 courts, benches and forums.
Be clear on the limits. Claw does not yet track copyright registration at the Copyright Office. For copyright it is court-side only. For global multi-country docketing, very high volume IP-firm docketing, AI prior-art search or mass marketplace takedowns, the specialists named above are the deeper tools. Claw’s strength is covering both the registry side and the court side of Indian IP in one place.
For current plan details, see clawlaw.in/price.
08Sources and further reading
Primary sources used for this page, last checked October 2026:
- IP India (Trade Marks Registry): ipindia.gov.in
- Public e-Register: ipindiaonline.gov.in/eregister
- Trade Marks Rules, 2017, Rule 33 (examination report, one month reply): indiankanoon.org
- Claw: clawlaw.in
This page is general information, not legal advice. Status labels, fees and periods can change. Check the live Registry and the current Rules before you act.
09Frequently asked questions
What does objected trademark status mean?
It means the Examiner raised objections in an examination report, usually under Sections 9 and 11 of the Trade Marks Act. It is not a rejection. You must reply within one month of receiving the report under Rule 33(4), or the Registrar may treat the application as abandoned.
What does trademark ready for show cause hearing mean?
The Registry was not satisfied with your reply, or you asked for a hearing, so a hearing is being listed. It is not a refusal. You get a chance to argue your case before the Registrar or an officer, so prepare submissions and attend.
What does Accepted and Advertised mean?
The mark has been accepted and published in the Trade Marks Journal. Anyone can file a notice of opposition on Form TM-O within four months of the advertisement. If nobody does, the mark moves toward registration.
How long does a registered trademark last in India?
Ten years, under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. It can be renewed by Form TM-R. If it is not renewed it can be removed from the register.
What if my status says Abandoned?
It usually means a reply, appearance or cure was missed. Restoration may be possible but time limits are tight. Speak to a trademark attorney quickly and check the current Rules for the exact period and form.
Does Claw track trademark renewals and journal conflicts?
Yes. Claw’s IPR Solutions tab tracks trademark renewals as pending compliances and watches the Trade Marks Journal for conflicting marks using text, phonetic and visual matching. It does not yet track copyright registration.