Step-by-Step Process to Search Class 17 Trademarks Before Filing in India
When you’re planning to register a trademark for rubber, plastic, insulation, or flexible pipe-related products in India, it’s vital to ensure that your brand name, logo, or tagline is available and not already in use. That’s where a Class 17 trademark search comes into play.
Trademark Class 17 includes goods made of rubber, plastic, gutta-percha, asbestos, mica, and insulation or flexible pipe products. Doing a proper trademark search in this class helps you avoid legal disputes, application rejection, and brand confusion.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step tutorial to do a Class 17 trademark search in India, ensuring you’re making an informed move before filing your application.
📌 What Is Trademark Class 17?
Before jumping into the process, let’s briefly understand what Class 17 includes.
According to the Nice Classification (NCL) followed by the Indian Trademark Registry:
Class 17 covers:
“Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and goods made from these materials not included in other classes; plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, not of metal.”
🔍 Common Products in Class 17:
- Rubber sheets and compounds
- Extruded plastic sheets
- Electrical insulation materials
- Non-metallic flexible hoses
- Silicone and foam for industrial use
- Soundproofing and thermal barriers
If your product falls under any of these, you must register your trademark under Class 17.
✅ Why Is a Trademark Search Important?
Doing a trademark search before applying gives you the following benefits:
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Avoids Duplication | Ensures your brand name is not already in use. |
| Reduces Rejection Risk | Applications often get rejected due to existing similar marks. |
| Saves Money and Time | Prevents legal disputes and reapplication. |
| Helps in Branding Strategy | Lets you pick a unique and strong brand identity. |
🛠️ Tools You Need: Trademark Public Search Portal
The Indian government provides a free online tool to perform a trademark search:
Website: https://ipindiaonline.gov.in/tmrpublicsearch
This portal allows you to check trademarks by:
- Wordmark (brand name)
- Vienna code (for logo/device)
- Phonetic similarity
- Class number (such as 17)
🔎 Step-by-Step Guide to Trademark Search for Class 17 in India
Here’s your step-by-step tutorial to perform a Class 17 trademark search:
🔹 Step 1: Visit the Official Trademark Search Portal
Go to:
👉 https://ipindiaonline.gov.in/tmrpublicsearch
This is the official portal maintained by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks, Government of India.
🔹 Step 2: Choose “Wordmark” Search
You will see three options:
- Wordmark (for brand name search)
- Vienna Code (for logo or symbol)
- Phonetic (for sound-alike brand names)
✅ Select “Wordmark” – because most businesses file for a brand name first.
🔹 Step 3: Enter Your Proposed Brand Name
In the search box:
- Type your brand name (e.g., “RubberFlex”)
- You can use wildcards like % or _ to broaden the search
Example: Typing Rubber% shows all marks starting with “Rubber”
🔹 Step 4: Select Class “17”
Below the search box, you’ll find a field for class selection.
🔧 Enter 17 – which corresponds to rubber, plastic, and insulation products.
You can search only in Class 17 or choose multiple classes if your product overlaps.
🔹 Step 5: Choose “Search Type”
You will see three search type options:
- Start With: Shows marks beginning with your keyword
- Contains: Shows marks where your keyword appears anywhere
- Match With: Shows exact matches
👉 Use “Contains” to view both partial and full matches, which gives better insight into similar brand names.
🔹 Step 6: Click “Search”
Now hit the “Search” button and wait for the results to load. It will show all existing registered or applied-for trademarks that match or are similar to your brand name in Class 17.
📊 Understanding the Trademark Search Results
Each row in the result list will include key information:
| Column | Description |
| S.No | Serial number of the search result |
| Application Number | Unique number for the trademark filing |
| Class | Product class (should be 17) |
| Status | Filed / Accepted / Objected / Registered / Abandoned |
| Proprietor Name | Owner of the trademark |
| Trademark | The brand name or logo |
| Journal Number & Date | Publication details of the trademark |
✅ What You Should Look For:
- Exact Matches – If your brand name is exactly the same, you must reconsider or change it.
- Similar Names – Phonetically or visually similar names can cause legal trouble.
- Active Trademarks – If the status says “Registered” or “Accepted”, it’s already in use.
- Opposed or Objected Marks – These may become available later, but filing now could be risky.
🧠 Pro Tips to Improve Your Trademark Search
- Use broad terms first, then narrow down.
- Try different spellings, abbreviations, or homophones.
- Always review the status column carefully.
- Take note of marks that are abandoned or withdrawn – they may offer naming opportunities later.
📌 Example: Class 17 Trademark Search for “PolySeal”
Let’s say you want to trademark PolySeal for your rubber sealing strip business.
Search Setup:
- Wordmark: PolySeal
- Class: 17
- Search type: “Contains”
Result:
You may find existing trademarks like:
- PolySeal Gasket
- Poly-Seal India
- PolySeel (spelled differently)
If one of them is “Registered,” you’ll need to:
- Change your name
- Add a prefix/suffix (e.g., “NeoPolySeal”)
- Use a different trademark altogether
⚖️ What If You Find Similar Trademarks?
If your proposed name is:
- Too similar: Rebranding is the safest option
- Visually or phonetically alike: Modify the mark
- Already objected or under opposition: Avoid, as it may lead to rejection
In such cases, you should consider:
- Choosing a more unique name
- Adding a wordmark + logo combination
- Filing under a different class (if applicable)
📝 Bonus: Check Trademark Status for Legal Progress
After you do your search and find a similar mark, click on the Application Number to view:
- Owner name
- Filing date
- Current legal status
- Documents like examination reports
This will help you evaluate if that trademark is still active or if there’s room for your registration.
📥 Still Confused? Let Experts Handle It
While the public portal is free and simple, trademark searches can be tricky. If you:
- Are unsure about the results
- Need help with analysis
- Want faster processing
It’s best to hire a professional trademark consultant.
👨💼 Why Choose VMK Professionals for Trademark Search?
At VMK Professionals, we don’t just do a search—we help you strategically select, analyze, and register your Class 17 trademark with full legal backing.
✅ Accurate class mapping
✅ Comprehensive availability checks
✅ Customized legal advice
✅ End-to-end registration support
✅ Fast response and affordable fees
📞 Contact VMK Professionals
Ready to protect your rubber or plastic brand in India?
📍 VMK Professionals – India’s Leading Trademark Consultants
🧾 Final Thoughts
Doing a trademark search for Class 17 in India is a smart move before investing in branding, packaging, or marketing. Whether you’re a rubber sheet manufacturer, insulation supplier, or plastic tube brand, a quick online search can save you from legal roadblocks later.
Use this tutorial to conduct your own search—or partner with experts like VMK Professionals to take care of it for you.
Start your Class 17 trademark journey the right way—by searching smart.