Trademarks are an essential tool in the intellectual property arsenal in India’s fiercely competitive startup ecosystem. Trademarks can be used to create an identity around a brand, signify quality and protect against legal threats from copycats. This is particularly the case for new companies in industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, nutraceuticals and agriculture as their products are generally categorised under Trademark Class 5.

Class 5 includes medications, supplements, medical equipment, disinfectants, herbicides and associated products. Early emphasis on Class 5 trademark registration can provide a startup with a major competitive advantage by protecting its brand name and logo, engendering consumer confidence, and avoiding expensive infringement conflicts.

Classes of goods and services are according to the international classification database that India has adopted in the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Class 5 is, however, interpreted as relating to “pharmaceutical, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies; dietary supplements for human beings and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides”. Or in other words, Class 5 – most products related to health and hygiene, which are recommended for therapeutic or medical purposes. According to an official rundown: “Class 5: Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations, dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies, disinfectants, fungicides, herbicides.

So, by the Indian system of classification (which uses), Class 5 is broadly “pharmaceuticals and medical goods”. It is necessary that products are mentioned in the trade mark application in this regard. For instance, an antibiotic syrup or a vitamin supplement could be a Class 5 category product while a general or ordinary soap or cosmetic would come in Class 3 (cosmetic and cleaning) and would not be protected by Class 5.

That is why it is important to apply under the right class because, if you don’t, you may be refused or have restrictions on your protection.

Class 5 is a very diverse class with all items generally related to the medical, veterinary, or health field. Key categories include:

• Pharmaceuticals and medical goods: Pharmaceuticals and all medical goods, including substances used in humans as part of any medicinal treatment, including products for which rabbinical certification is required, and including medical treatments and medical devices, that must obtain an approval for marketing within the meaning of the Pharmacists’ Ordinance, excluding cosmetics, deodorants and talcs for humans, belong to this class—those for therapeutic use as well as those for diagnoses together (Class 5 ). Class 5 goods include items such as painkillers, cough formula, or prescription lotions.
• Veterinary products: Animal health products like pet or livestock vaccines, deworming agents or other veterinary medications are class 5.
• Diet and nutrients products: The category includes dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbal tablets, protein powders) used for health purposes.
• By the same token, food for medical or dietetic uses (cereals/nutritional meal replacements, baby formula) specially modified to confer a therapeutic advantage are Class 5.
• Babies and young children: Baby foods/formulae and some baby hygiene products are in Class 5 (e.g. medicinal baby food). Even such goods as baby diapers and adult incontinence pads are considered as sanitary preparations for medical use.
• Articles of medicines and hygiene: Adhesive plasters, bandages, gauze, absorbent cotton, dental wax and similar products for dressing are Class 5. Surgical dressings and adhesive medical tapes are included, for example
• Antiseptics and disinfectants: Class 5 for products such as alcohol wipes and antiseptic creams used for sterilization and sanitation in hospital disinfectants.
• Pest-control products– Fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, anti-parasitic preparations for medical, veterinary or hygienic use.
• Other medical preparations: Such specialty products as medicated shampoos or soaps (as opposed to regular toiletries) are Class 5. According to the NICE Classification, “medicated shampoos, soaps, lotions and dentifrices” are in Class 5. Add TABLE

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• absorbent cotton / absorbent wadding
• acaricides
• acetates for pharmaceutical purposes
• acids for pharmaceutical purposes
• acne treatment preparations
• aconitine
• adhesive plasters / sticking plasters
• adhesive tapes for medical purposes / adhesive bands for medical purposes
• adhesives for dentures
• adjuvants for medical purposes
• air purifying preparations
• air deodorising preparations
• albumin dietary supplements
• albuminous foodstuffs for medical purposes
• albuminous preparations for medical purposes
• alcohol for pharmaceutical purposes
• aldehydes for pharmaceutical purposes
• algicides
• alginate dietary supplements
• alginates for pharmaceutical purposes
• alkaline iodides for pharmaceutical purposes
• alkaloids for medical purposes
• alloys of precious metals for dental purposes
• aloe vera preparations for pharmaceutical purposes
• aluminium acetate for pharmaceutical purposes
• amino acids for medical purposes
• amino acids for veterinary purposes
• anaesthetics
• analgesics
• angostura bark for medical purposes
• animal washes
• anti-rheumatism bracelets
• anti-rheumatism rings
• anti-uric preparations
• antibiotics
• anticryptogamic preparations
• antioxidant pills
• antiparasitic preparations
• antiparasitic collars for animals
• antiseptic cotton
• antiseptics
• appetite suppressants for medical purposes
• appetite suppressant pills
• articles for headache
• aseptic cotton
• asthmatic tea
• babies’ napkins [diapers] / babies’ diapers [napkins]
• babies’ napkin-pants [diaper-pants] / babies’ diaper-pants / babies’ napkin-pants
• bacterial poisons
• bacterial preparations for medical and veterinary use
• bacteriological preparations for medical and veterinary use
• balms for medical purposes
• balsamic preparations for medical purposes
• bandages for dressings
• barks for pharmaceutical purposes
• bath preparations for medical purposes
• bath salts for medical purposes
• belts for sanitary napkins [towels]
• bicarbonate of soda for pharmaceutical purposes
• biocides
• biological preparations for medical purposes
• biological preparations for veterinary purposes
• biological tissue cultures for medical purposes
• biological tissue cultures for veterinary purposes
• bismuth preparations for pharmaceutical purposes
• bismuth subnitrate for pharmaceutical purposes
• blood plasma
• blood for medical purposes
• bone cement for surgical and orthopaedic purposes
• bouillons for bacteriological cultures / bacteriological culture mediums / media for bacteriological cultures
• bracelets for medical purposes
• breast-nursing pads
• bromine for pharmaceutical purposes
• bronchodilating preparations
• bunion pads
• cachets for pharmaceutical purposes
• cachou for pharmaceutical purposes
• preparations for callouses
• calomel
• camphor oil for medical purposes
• camphor for medical purposes
• candy, medicated
• candy for medical purposes
• capsules for medicines
• carbolineum [parasiticide]
• casein dietary supplements
• castor oil for medical purposes
• cattle washes
• caustic pencils
• caustics for pharmaceutical purposes
• cedar wood for use as an insect repellent
• cellulose esters for pharmaceutical purposes
• cellulose ethers for pharmaceutical purposes
• cement for animal hooves
• charcoal for pharmaceutical purposes
• chemical conductors for electrocardiograph electrodes
• chemical contraceptives
• chemical preparations for the diagnosis of pregnancy
• chemical preparations to treat mildew
• chemical preparations to treat wheat blight [smut] / chemical preparations to treat wheat smut
• chemical preparations for treating phylloxera
• chemical preparations for pharmaceutical purposes
• chemical preparations for medical purposes
• chemical preparations for veterinary purposes
• chemical reagents for medical or veterinary purposes
• chemico-pharmaceutical preparations
• chewing gum for medical purposes
• chilblain preparations
• chinoline for medical purposes
• chloroform
• cocaine
• cod liver oil
• collodion for pharmaceutical purposes
• collyrium
• compresses
• condurango bark for medical purposes
• solutions for contact lenses / solutions for use with contact lenses
• contact lens cleaning preparations
• cooling sprays for medical purposes
• corn rings for the feet
• corn remedies
• cotton for medical purposes
• cotton swabs for medical purposes / cotton sticks for medical purposes
• cream of tartar for pharmaceutical purposes
• creosote for pharmaceutical purposes
• croton bark
• cultures of microorganisms for medical and veterinary use / preparations of microorganisms for medical and veterinary use
• curare
• decoctions for pharmaceutical purposes
• dental abrasives
• dental amalgams
• dental cements
• dental impression materials
• dental lacquer
• dental mastics
• dental amalgams of gold
• deodorants, other than for human beings or for animals
• deodorants for clothing and textiles
• depuratives
• preparations for destroying noxious animals
• preparations for destroying dry rot fungus
• preparations for destroying mice
• detergents for medical purposes
• diabetic bread adapted for medical use
• diagnostic preparations for medical purposes
• diagnostic biomarker reagents for medical purposes
• diagnostic preparations for veterinary purposes
• diapers for pets
• diastase for medical purposes
• dietary fibre / dietary fiber
• dietary supplements for animals
• dietetic foods adapted for medical purposes
• dietetic beverages adapted for medical purposes
• dietetic substances adapted for medical use
• digestives for pharmaceutical purposes
• digitalin
• dill oil for medical purposes
• disinfectants for hygiene purposes
• disinfectants for chemical toilets
• disinfectants
• dog washes
• dog lotions
• douching preparations for medical purposes
• dressings, medical
• drugs for medical purposes
• elixirs [pharmaceutical preparations]
• enzyme preparations for medical purposes
• enzyme preparations for veterinary purposes
• enzyme dietary supplements
• enzymes for medical purposes
• enzymes for veterinary purposes
• ergot for pharmaceutical purposes
• esters for pharmaceutical purposes
• ethers for pharmaceutical purposes
• eucalyptol for pharmaceutical purposes
• eucalyptus for pharmaceutical purposes
• extracts of hops for pharmaceutical purposes
• eye-washes
• eyepatches for medical purposes
• preparations to facilitate teething
• febrifuges
• fennel for medical purposes
• ferments for pharmaceutical purposes
• first-aid boxes, filled
• fish meal for pharmaceutical purposes
• flour for pharmaceutical purposes / meal for pharmaceutical purposes
• flowers of sulfur for pharmaceutical purposes
• fly catching paper
• fly glue / fly catching adhesives
• fly destroying preparations
• food for babies
• formic aldehyde for pharmaceutical purposes
• frostbite salve for pharmaceutical purposes
• fumigating sticks / fumigating pastilles
• fumigation preparations for medical purposes
• fungicides
• gamboge for medical purposes
• gases for medical purposes
• gauze for dressings
• gelatine for medical purposes
• gentian for pharmaceutical purposes
• germicides
• glucose for medical purposes
• glucose dietary supplements
• glycerine for medical purposes
• glycerophosphates
• greases for medical purposes
• greases for veterinary purposes
• guaiacol for pharmaceutical purposes
• gum for medical purposes
• gurjun [gurjon, gurjan] balsam for medical purposes
• haematogen / hematogen
• haemoglobin / hemoglobin
• haemorrhoid preparations / hemorrhoid preparations
• haemostatic pencils / hemostatic pencils
• headache pencils
• herbal teas for medicinal purposes
• herbicides / preparations for destroying noxious plants / weedkillers
• hormones for medical purposes
• hydrastine
• hydrastinine
• hydrated chloral for pharmaceutical purposes
• hydrogen peroxide for medical purposes
• insect repellents
• insect repellent incense
• insecticides
• iodides for pharmaceutical purposes
• iodine for pharmaceutical purposes
• iodoform
• Irish moss for medical purposes
• isotopes for medical purposes
• jalap
• jujube, medicated
• lacteal flour for babies
• larvae exterminating preparations
• laxatives
• lead water / Goulard water
• lecithin for medical purposes
• lecithin dietary supplements
• leeches for medical purposes
• preparations of lime for pharmaceutical purposes
• liniments
• linseed for pharmaceutical purposes / flaxseed for pharmaceutical purposes
• linseed meal for pharmaceutical purposes / flaxseed meal for pharmaceutical purposes
• linseed dietary supplements / flaxseed dietary supplements
• linseed oil dietary supplements / flaxseed oil dietary supplements
• lint for medical purposes
• liquorice for pharmaceutical purposes
• lotions for pharmaceutical purposes
• lotions for veterinary purposes
• lupulin for pharmaceutical purposes
• magnesia for pharmaceutical purposes
• malt for pharmaceutical purposes
• malted milk beverages for medical purposes
• mangrove bark for pharmaceutical purposes
• medical preparations for slimming purposes
• medicated animal feed
• medicinal alcohol
• medicinal mud / medicinal sediment [mud]
• medicinal infusions
• medicinal tea
• medicinal oils
• medicinal herbs
• medicinal roots
• medicinal drinks
• medicinal hair growth preparations
• medicine cases, portable, filled
• medicines for alleviating constipation
• medicines for dental purposes
• medicines for human purposes
• medicines for veterinary purposes
• melissa water for pharmaceutical purposes
• menstruation bandages / sanitary pads
• menthol
• mercurial ointments
• milk ferments for pharmaceutical purposes
• milk sugar for pharmaceutical purposes / lactose for pharmaceutical purposes
• milk of almonds for pharmaceutical purposes
• milking grease
• mineral waters for medical purposes
• mineral water salts
• mineral food supplements
• mint for pharmaceutical purposes
• moleskin for medical purposes
• mothproofing preparations
• mothproofing paper / mothproof paper
• moulding wax for dentists / molding wax for dentists
• mouthwashes for medical purposes
• mud for baths
• mustard oil for medical purposes
• mustard for pharmaceutical purposes
• mustard plasters / mustard poultices
• myrobalan bark for pharmaceutical purposes
• napkins for incontinents / diapers for incontinents
• narcotics
• nervines
• nutritional supplements
• nutritive substances for microorganisms
• oil of turpentine for pharmaceutical purposes
• ointments for pharmaceutical purposes
• opiates
• opium
• opodeldoc
• opotherapy preparations / organotherapy preparations
• oxygen baths
• oxygen for medical purposes
• pants, absorbent, for incontinents
• panty liners [sanitary]
• paper for mustard plasters / paper for mustard poultices
• parasiticides
• pastilles for pharmaceutical purposes / lozenges for pharmaceutical purposes
• pearl powder for medical purposes
• pectin for pharmaceutical purposes
• pepsins for pharmaceutical purposes
• peptones for pharmaceutical purposes
• pesticides
• petroleum jelly for medical purposes
• pharmaceutical preparations
• pharmaceutical preparations for skin care
• pharmaceutical preparations for treating dandruff
• phenol for pharmaceutical purposes
• phosphates for pharmaceutical purposes
• poisons
• pollen dietary supplements
• pomades for medical purposes
• porcelain for dental prostheses
• potassium salts for medical purposes
• poultices
• powder of cantharides
• by-products of the processing of cereals for dietetic or medical purposes
• propolis for pharmaceutical purposes
• propolis dietary supplements
• protein dietary supplements
• protein supplements for animals
• purgatives / evacuants
• pyrethrum powder
• quebracho for medical purposes
• quinine for medical purposes
• quinquina for medical purposes / cinchona for medical purposes
• radioactive substances for medical purposes
• radiological contrast substances for medical purposes
• radium for medical purposes
• rat poison
• reagent paper for medical or veterinary purposes
• preparations for reducing sexual activity
• remedies for foot perspiration
• remedies for perspiration
• repellents for dogs
• rhubarb roots for pharmaceutical purposes
• royal jelly for pharmaceutical purposes
• royal jelly dietary supplements
• rubber for dental purposes
• salts for mineral water baths
• salts for medical purposes
• sanitary panties / menstruation knickers / sanitary knickers / sanitary pants
• sanitary tampons / menstruation tampons
• sanitary towels / sanitary napkins
• sarsaparilla for medical purposes
• scapulars for surgical purposes
• sea water for medicinal bathing
• sedatives / tranquillizers
• semen for artificial insemination
• serotherapeutic medicines
• serums
• personal sexual lubricants
• siccatives [drying agents] for medical purposes
• slimming pills
• slug exterminating preparations
• smelling salts
• smoking herbs for medical purposes
• sodium salts for medical purposes
• soil-sterilising preparations
• solvents for removing adhesive plasters
• soporifics
• starch for dietetic or pharmaceutical purposes
• stem cells for medical purposes
• stem cells for veterinary purposes
• sterilising preparations
• steroids
• stick liquorice for pharmaceutical purposes
• strychnine
• styptic preparations
• sugar for medical purposes
• sulfonamides [medicines]
• sulfur sticks [disinfectants]
• sunburn preparations for pharmaceutical purposes
• sunburn ointments
• suppositories
• surgical dressings
• surgical implants comprised of living tissues
• surgical glues
• syrups for pharmaceutical purposes
• tanning pills
• tartar for pharmaceutical purposes
• teeth filling material
• therapeutic preparations for the bath
• thermal water
• thymol for pharmaceutical purposes
• tincture of iodine
• tinctures for medical purposes
• tissues impregnated with pharmaceutical lotions
• tobacco extracts [insecticides]
• tobacco-free cigarettes for medical purposes
• tonics [medicines]
• preparations of trace elements for human and animal use
• preparations for the treatment of burns
• turpentine for pharmaceutical purposes
• vaccines
• vaginal washes
• vermifuges / anthelmintics
• vermin destroying preparations
• vesicants
• veterinary preparations
• vine disease treating chemicals
• vitamin preparations
• vulnerary sponges
• wadding for medical purposes
• wart pencils
• wheat germ dietary supplements
• yeast for pharmaceutical purposes
• yeast dietary supplements

Trade mark registration in India is facilitated through online portal by the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM). There are few key stages which will be followed in the process. The following is a step-by-step guide you can use to register a Class 5 Trademark :

1. Search for prior trademarks: Prior to the application, conduct a full clearance search to ascertain that your intended mark is not identical with or similar to earlier marks found in Class 5 (or any relevant classes for a form of Goods). India Trademark Registry offers public search option. Comprehensive Search – a comprehensive search to “detect already existing similar registered trademarks, limiting the possibility of facing an objection or rejection12. Thus, if you wish to register “PureHealth” in respect of vitamin tablets, you need to ensure that no one has already registered a similar “PureHealth” in Class 5.
2. Be specific in defining goods and class: Be clear about what goods (in this case, goods) is covered by the trademark. Use precise language from Class 5 classification. Refrain from unnecessary and generic descriptors and include that is “medicated” or “dietetic” whenever applicable. Use specific terms like “dietary supplements (extensions vitamins and minerals) for medical use” instead of general terms such as “health products.” Another common trap is getting the nature or class of goods wrong – for example, ordinary soap is in Class 3, however medicated soap is Class 5 6 7. If unsure, try checking the Nice Classification or seek professional advice.
3. Gather necessary information: Determine the precise trademark (word, logo, or mix) you wish to register Decide on the applicant (natural person, company, LLP etc.) and also who the applicant is (name, address, nationality). Obtain also the date of first use in India if at all (compulsory but can be noted and not attach the evidence).

1. Register on the IP India e-filing portal: Trademark applications in India are filed online through the official IP India e-filing portal (https://ipindiaonline.gov.in). Initial users need to open an account and, within the login page that comes up, proceed with secure access using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) (Class II/III) as mandated by the Controller. A DSC is needed to digitally authenticate filings.
2. Complete the online application (Form TM-A): Once you are logged in, select “New Application” and then choose “Trademark” from the section menu. Complete Form TM-A as follows:
3. Applicant’s particulars: Name and address of the person or entity applying for registration.
4. Representation of your trademark: Upload a clear image of the logo (if it is a design mark) or specify the word mark in simple text. (Tip: The registrar recommends a black-and-white version of your logo so that part of your brand will not be lost when transferred into another medium 15.)
5. Class and goods: Choose Class 5 and list the goods in respect of which your trademark is used. Be as specific as possible (e.g., “Vitamin tablets; dietary supplements; medicinal herbal extracts”).

As one manual states, the form has fields for “Name and address of the applicant, representation of the mark, goods or services to be trademarked” and optionally “date of the first use.” It is essential to select Class 5 on the form so that your goods are properly handled.

1. Enclose supplementary papers: Various documents must be uploaded depending on the type of applicant.
2. Establishment documentation, for example: Company or LLP incorporation certificate, or partnership deed if applicable.
3. Identity of the signatory: Authorized signatory’s PAN card and Aadhaar card are required for digital signature 15.
4. Form 48: An authorized signatory shall sign the declaration (Form 48) electronically using the Aadhaar e-signature 15.
5. Trademark logo or word: In JPEG/PDF format, upload the clear logo design or word, preferably in black and white.

Other documents such as an MSME certificate, or a power of attorney if an agent files on your behalf, may be needed. Missing or mistaken documents are a frequent cause of initial objections, so double-check all uploads before submission.

1. Pay the fees and submit: Depending on the number of classes applied for and the category of the applicant (individual/startup/small enterprise rates are discounted), calculate the government filing fee payable. Pay online through the portal. Upon successful payment, the application is submitted. An acknowledgment including a diary number is instantly issued.

1. Formality check: The first you will hear is if the Registrar’s office have found no formality problems with your application. This means making sure all fields are completed and that paperwork is all in place. In the event that there are any deficiencies in the procedure, the office will issue a Formality Check Report (FRC) (usually known as examination report) and you will be requested to correct the deficiencies within a period of 30 days. Most frequent problems in this step are missing signatures, wrong enclosures, unclear Seal/Signature images.
2. Substantive examination: If your trade mark application meets the formality check (or once your trade mark application does), it then proceeds to substantive examination which is done by a Trademark Examiner 18. The office looks to see if the mark complies legally. Key considerations include:
3. Descriptiveness -Genericness: The mark must not be merely descriptive or generic. When it comes to medical commodities, more generic terms (such as “HEALTHY”, “PAIN GONE”, etc.) are refused quite frequently. The examiner “evaluate[s] the distinctiveness of the mark” .
4. No prior mark has precedence: The registry check by the examiner ensures that no identical or very similar mark exists in the same or similar class. If a clash exists, then a challenge is made.
5. Office action (Examination Report) Where there is a problem (either an absolute or relative issue because of an earlier mark) the Registrar will issue an Examination Report. You will receive this through the portal. It summarizes the protests and provides a timeline for you to respond. You typically have 30 days (with a potential 30-day extension) to provide a written response and any accompanying evidence. For instance, you may have to argue that your mark is unique, or distinguish your products from the cited mark, and you may have to do that at a hearing.
6. Objections: Respond to each objection specifically. In other words the examiner says its too generic, and you can argue against that through acquired distinctiveness, by proving years of use/ branding. If the problem is resemblance to an earlier mark, you could restrict the range of goods or point to dissimilarities in the mark itself / its meaning. A late response (or an insufficient reply) results in the abandonment of the application. The law, for instance, says that if the applicant “does not reply to the office action within the period set in the notice, then the application will be regarded as abandoned”.
7. Hearing (where applicable): If the written response is not satisfactory to the examiner, you may be given a hearing by the Registrar. Arguments from both sides (you & the Examiner/opponent) are made. The Registrar will issue the decision of whether or not to grant the application after the hearing (perhaps with amendments).

1. Publication: Once no objections are met (or the objections have been resolved), your mark is approved and published in the official Trademarks Journal. It opens a four-month period from the publication date during which any third party can oppose the registration.
2. Opposition (optional): A party who feels your mark violates their rights can file an opposition. You (the applicant) will be given notice and must file a counter-statement. Both sides will be able to introduce evidence and arguments, which could result in hearings. Oppositions can take months. It is not opposed (all cases are special; one will be taken if no one opposes) and the process continuous.
3. Registration and certificate: If no opposition is filed, or if any opposition is unsuccessful, the Registrar will register the mark. You’ll receive Registration (Class 5) Ownership of your Reg certificate. The portal will ping you if you ever land in the registry. Now you have a legally protected trademark, and can use the ® symbol.
4. Renewal: Registration of a trade mark in India is renewed every 10 years upon payment 22. You need to file for renewal (also done online) every 10 years in order to remain protected. Renewals are perpetuity (you don’t have to renew every 10 years).

In general, the entire procedure lasts 18 to 24 months, assuming that no objections or oppositions slow it down. It is worth setting aside time in a startup’s budget for the response and opposition phases and maybe even bringing in professional help so that nothing is overlooked.

Examples of such goods in Class 5 include the following:

• Pharmaceuticals : Prescription or over-the-counter medications (including painkillers (aspirin tablets), antibiotics, drugs for upset stomach (antacids), vaccines, allergy shots.
• Veterinary medicines: Animal health products including vaccines for pets, worming pills and antibiotics for livestock.
• Dietary supplements: Multivitamin pills, herbals, protein powders, fish oil capsules — so long as they are sold for health purposes. (Regular food is not a Class 5, but these are “dietary supplements”).
• Baby and dietetic foods: Formula, therapeutic nutrition drinks and baby cereal are in Class 5 as “food for babies” and dietetic substances.
• Medical Supplies: adhesive bandages, sterilized gauze, adhesive tape for bandages, absorbent cotton, dental wax.
• Sanitary/Medical hygiene products like med soap, antiseptic lot, hand sanitisers, mouth wash (with active ingredient) and adult diapers.
• Antiseptics & disinfectants: Hospital disinfectant sprays, surface antiseptics, surgical spirit, antiseptic lotions.
• Pesticides: Fungicidal spray for plants, chemical herbicide, insecticidal wool for animals (acaricides).

For example, a company that is selling a new probiotic vitamin would file in Class 5. So would a maker of a medicinal herbal shampoo (medicated) or disinfectant gel. Conversely, soap, cosmetics, or other beverages will be considered Class 5 items. And there is the kicker, that the product serves a medical/health purpose.

As one such trademark classification manual puts it: Class 5 has “Veterinary and pharmaceutical preparations, food supplements and dietetic preparations, sanitary preparations for medical purposes, antiseptic substances and products”. This demonstrates the range of Products of Class 5 – ranging from plasters and bandages, to dietary supplements and disinfectants

• Copycat brands are making your share of the market less saturated.
• Litigation in lakhs in legal battles.
• Export foregone because of copying brands abroad.

1.Trademark Research 

• Take advantage of the Indian Trademark Database (ipindia.gov.in).
• Examine for interfering trademarks in Class 4.

2. Application filing (Form TM-A)

• Use the [IP India Portal] Online filing. (https://ipindiaonline.gov.in)

3. Documentation:

• Applicant particulars (individual/company)
• The brand logo/name (or JPEG format)
• List of products (Class 4 items you produce)
• Proof of use (If already selling)

4. Examination|Trademark Office

• Takes 3-6 months.
• May receive an Examination Report (objections if any).

5. Journal Publication

• If accepted, published for 4 months.

6. Registration & Certification

• If no opposition received Trademark Certificate (valid 10 years).

It is important for businesses dealing in lubricants, fuels, and industrial oils to be registered in India as a trademark Class 4. Trademark registration provides legal protection, brand exclusivity and long-term growth. Use the Indian trademark registration methodology alongside a powerful SEO strategy for your business to be the legal authority both legally and digitally.