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Expedited TM Registration Explained: Everything You Need to Know

Expedited TM Registration Explained: Everything You Need to Know

In the fast-paced world of business, securing your brand quickly can make all the difference. The good news? Expedited trademark (TM) registration offers a faster route to brand protection—so your business can move forward with confidence and peace of mind.

What Is Expedited Trademark Registration?

Expedited TM registration, sometimes called fast-track or priority registration, is a special process that speeds up the examination and approval of your trademark application. While the standard process can take up to 18–24 months, expedited examination can get you results in as little as 3–6 months—sometimes even faster.

Who Can Apply for Expedited Processing?

Not everyone qualifies for the expedited route. In India, individuals, startups, and MSMEs (small and medium enterprises) can usually apply. Large multinational companies may also qualify under special circumstances, like ongoing international filings or urgent business needs. You must ensure that all application details are correct and complete to avoid delays.

Step-by-Step: The Expedited Registration Process

Here’s how the expedited TM registration process unfolds:

  • Trademark Search: Always begin with a thorough trademark search to avoid conflicts or refusals down the road.

  • Standard Application Filing: File your application (typically with Form TM-A in India), providing all details about the mark: the logo, the class, goods/services involved, and owner details.

  • Expedited Processing Request: Submit your request for expedited examination using the prescribed form (e.g., TM-M or TM-63), along with the required government fee. You may need to specify the reason for urgency.

  • Examination: Your application is prioritized, so the examination report is usually issued within 3–4 weeks.

  • Objections & Response: If there are any objections, you'll receive a report and must respond quickly—often within a month.

  • Publication: Approved applications are published in the Trademark Journal for public opposition, a step that cannot be bypassed but happens sooner.

  • Hearing (if needed): In case of disputes or unresolved objections, a hearing may be scheduled.

  • Registration and Certificate: If there’s no successful opposition, you'll get your trademark registration certificate, and brand protection officially begins.

What Are the Benefits?

  • Faster Protection: Get legal rights within months, not years—critical if you’re launching a product soon or face competition.

  • Market Advantage: Safeguard your brand and use the ® symbol sooner, enhancing trust and credibility.

  • Less Risk: Reduce worries about infringement and unauthorized use while you’re waiting for approval.

  • Easy Global Expansion: Speeds up eligibility for international trademark filings if you want to grow your business overseas.

Key Points to Remember

  • The expedited process costs significantly more than standard registration, with separate government fees (for example, ₹20,000 in India for expedited processing).

  • Even in expedited processing, the mandatory publication (opposition) period can’t be shortened.

  • It’s essential to provide complete and accurate documentation at every stage to avoid delays.

Should You Choose Expedited TM Registration?

If time is of the essence for your business or there’s an immediate risk of infringement, expedited TM registration is a smart investment. For startups and small enterprises aiming to establish themselves quickly, it provides a valuable edge in a competitive market.

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FAQs
Expedited trademark registration is a fast-track process that gives a trademark application priority during examination. It is designed to significantly reduce the time it takes to get a trademark registered, from the standard 18-24 months to as little as 3-6 months if there are no objections.
The facility is available to individuals, startups (as per DPIIT definition), and small enterprises. This option is specifically designed to support small businesses and innovators who need to secure their brand identity quickly.
The process is similar to a regular trademark application but with an additional step. After filing the initial application, a request for expedited examination must be filed in Form TM-M with a higher, prescribed fee. The application then gets prioritized at all stages, including examination, opposition, and registration.
The fees for expedited filing are significantly higher than the standard fees. For an individual, startup, or small enterprise, the expedited fee is Rs.45,000, which includes the standard application fee. For all other applicants, the fee is Rs.90,000. These fees are per class of goods or services.
The main benefits are speed and brand protection. Expedited filing reduces the waiting time, allowing businesses to launch new products, secure funding, or enter new markets with the legal protection of a registered trademark already in place.
Yes, you can still request expedited processing later by filing Form TM-M and paying the additional fee, but this must be done before the examination of your application starts.