Over the past decade, India’s intellectual property landscape has seen remarkable growth, fueled by the rise of startups, enhanced consumer awareness, and the increasing importance of brand identity. Recently, trademarks aren’t just for big corporations because even small businesses, independent creators, and first-time entrepreneurs are realizing that their brand names, logos, and taglines hold significant commercial value and should be safeguarded from the start.
Trademark filings in India have now become much more accessible, leading to a notable increase in the number of applications submitted each year. However, this surge in demand has also given rise to numerous online entities offering trademark registration services via websites, apps, and digital ads, often without making it clear whether they are legally authorized to do so.
In light of this situation, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) released a public notice on January 7, 2026, addressing the issue of certain entities that have been promoting and soliciting trademark-related work through digital platforms. This notice serves as a firm reminder against unauthorized practices and stresses that trademark filing, advisory services, and representation before the Trade Marks Registry should not be treated like any ordinary online service.
The CGPDTM’s message is clear, while applicants can file trademark applications on their own, any legal help or representation must come from qualified and legally authorized professionals.
In a recent public notice, the CGPDTM pointed out several online platforms that have reportedly been involved in promoting and offering trademark-related services through digital means. These include websites like onlinelegalindia.com, indiafilings.com, corpbiz.io, cleartax.in, trademarkia.in, and others.
By naming these platforms, the CGPDTM is making it clear that they are keeping a close eye on these online activities and are urging stakeholders to work only with authorized professionals or to use the official channels for trademark applications.
The CGPDTM noted that many entities are actively reaching out to potential applicants through online ads and marketing efforts, pitching comprehensive solutions for trademark registration.
These platforms often market themselves as “one-stop service providers,” claiming they can take care of everything from trademark searches and application drafting to filing and follow-up, sometimes even implying that approvals are quick or guaranteed. This kind of service is often aimed at startups and small businesses, many of whom may be filing trademarks for the first time and might not fully understand the legal requirements or the risks involved.
The CGPDTM’s notice emphasizes that such solicitation and advertising of trademark legal services, especially by unauthorized individuals, not only undermines professional ethics but can also mislead applicants into using inappropriate channels.
A key point reiterated in the notice is the question of who is legally authorised to provide trademark services in India. While trademark filing has been made easier through the online filing infrastructure, the law continues to restrict legal practice and representation before the Trade Marks Registry to specific categories of persons.
The CGPDTM clarified that only registered trade mark agents and advocates enrolled under the Advocates Act, 1961 are authorised to practise before the Registrar of Trade Marks and provide representation in such matters. This position is supported by the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, which govern the process of trademark registration and specify who can appear and act before the Registry.
The notice also refers to the ethical and professional restrictions under the Advocates Act, 1961 and the Bar Council rules, which prohibit solicitation and advertisement of legal services, reinforcing the idea that trademark practice is not merely administrative filing but a regulated professional service.
The importance of this distinction is often underestimated because trademark registration appears, at first glance, to be a simple online process involving a form and payment.
In reality, trademark filing is a legal procedure that requires careful assessment of the mark’s distinctiveness, comparison with existing marks, appropriate class selection, accurate drafting of goods and services descriptions, and strategic planning to avoid future objections or disputes.
When trademark filings are handled casually or by unauthorised service providers, applicants may end up with weak applications, incorrect classifications, poorly drafted descriptions, or inaccurate claims. These errors can lead to examination objections, refusal of registration, opposition proceedings, and significant delays. More importantly, a poorly filed trademark can fail to provide meaningful protection even if it proceeds, leaving the applicant vulnerable to infringement or brand dilution.
The CGPDTM’s recent intervention sheds light on a larger issue that’s emerged with the rise of digital convenience in legal services. Now when the public have online filing portals doesn’t mean that the necessary regulatory safeguards have been tossed aside. The introduction of digital access was intended to streamline processes and make the trademark system more user-friendly for businesses throughout India. However, it wasn’t designed to let unqualified individuals step in and provide legal help without any accountability.
This notice serves as a crucial reminder that while technology can certainly make filing more efficient, it can’t substitute for the need for qualified and ethical professionals when it comes to legal advice and representation.
This is especially important now, as India sees a surge in trademark filings and its IP ecosystem becomes more vibrant and commercially relevant. For applicants and businesses, particularly startups with tight budgets and deadlines, online platforms that promise “quick trademark registration” can seem really appealing.
But the CGPDTM’s notice is a timely heads-up that these low-cost, heavily marketed services might come with hidden risks if they lack the backing of authorized professionals. Filing a trademark isn’t just about getting a certificate; it’s also about making sure that the mark is legally enforceable and can provide real commercial protection.
This is even more crucial for businesses in the e-commerce space, where trademarks are closely tied to brand registry advantages, anti-counterfeiting measures, and credibility in the marketplace. A weak or flawed filing can undermine enforcement efforts and lead to complications down the line in terms of expansion, licensing, and investment discussions.
In conclusion, the CGPDTM’s public notice dated 7 January 2026 is a significant regulatory development and an important reminder for stakeholders to remain cautious in the digital environment. The online services now expand and the trademark system becomes more technology-driven, the line between procedural convenience and regulated legal practice must remain clear.
The CGPDTM has reinforced that while any applicant may use the government’s official portal to file a trademark application directly, legal advice, representation, and solicitation of trademark work must be undertaken only by registered trade mark agents and enrolled advocates. This step is likely to curb misleading practices, strengthen the integrity of India’s trademark system, and encourage applicants to rely on lawful and professionally sound channels for protecting their brands.