When launching a brand in the electrical appliances or lighting industry, one of the first and most crucial steps is securing a trademark. For products such as heaters, LED lights, air conditioners, or geysers, the relevant category under Indian trademark law is Trademark Class 11. Before you file an application, however, it is essential to check if the trademark you want is available.
This blog offers a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to check trademark availability in Class 11 to help you avoid rejection, legal conflict, or costly rebranding later.
🧠 What is Trademark Class 11?
Trademark Class 11 is part of the Nice Classification system, which divides goods and services into 45 different categories for registration purposes.
Class 11 covers:
- Lighting appliances (LEDs, bulbs, lamps, chandeliers)
- Heating appliances (heaters, radiators)
- Cooking equipment (microwaves, ovens)
- Refrigeration and freezing devices
- Ventilation (exhaust fans, air purifiers, ACs)
- Water supply and sanitary installations (geysers, showers, faucets)
If your product falls under any of the above categories, you need to register your trademark under Class 11.
🛑 Why You Must Check Availability Before Applying
Many businesses skip the availability check and directly apply for trademark registration. This often leads to:
- Rejection by the Trademark Registry due to similarity with existing marks
- Opposition by existing brands during the publication stage
- Legal complications, including trademark infringement lawsuits
- Loss of time and money, especially if branding and packaging are already in use
Doing a proper availability check can prevent these costly mistakes.
🔎 Step-by-Step Guide to Check Trademark Availability in Class 11
Here’s a simple and detailed method to check your desired trademark in India.
Step 1: Visit the Trademark Public Search Portal
Go to the official IP India trademark search portal:
🔗 https://ipindia.gov.in
Or directly to the search tool:
🔗 https://tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in
This portal is managed by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM).
Step 2: Choose the Correct Search Type
Once you’re on the trademark search page:
- Select ‘Wordmark’ as the Search Type.
- This will allow you to check if the word-based name of your brand (like “BrightGlow” or “HeatGenie”) is already in use.
Step 3: Enter Your Desired Trademark
In the ‘Wordmark’ field, type the exact brand name you want to register.
- If you’re searching for “GlomoLite”, enter it exactly.
- For broader results, you can use keywords like just “Glomo” or “Lite”.
Step 4: Enter Class Number: 11
In the field labeled ‘Class’, enter 11 to restrict the search to trademarks registered under Class 11.
This is important because a name registered in Class 25 (for clothing) may not affect your application in Class 11—but a similar name already in Class 11 likely will.
Step 5: Select Matching Criteria
Below the search bar, you’ll see options:
- ‘Starts With’
- ‘Contains’
- ‘Match With’
Choose ‘Contains’ for a more comprehensive list. This will show all trademarks that include your brand name as part of theirs.
Step 6: Perform the Search and Review Results
Click on the Search button. The system will display a list of all matching or similar trademarks already registered or applied for in Class 11.
Things to observe:
- Status: Look for marks that are Registered, Objected, Opposed, Abandoned, or Withdrawn.
- Applicant Name: See who owns the mark.
- Application Number and Date: Useful if you want to track the timeline of older applications.
- Journal Publication: Indicates if the mark has been published in the Trade Marks Journal.
📝 How to Interpret the Results
Understanding what you see in the search results is key to making an informed decision.
| Status | What it Means |
| Registered | Fully active and protected; avoid using a similar mark. |
| Objected | Trademark Examiner found issues. Use caution. |
| Opposed | Third-party has filed a legal challenge. Risky to proceed. |
| Abandoned | Trademark owner did not complete the process. Could be available. |
| Withdrawn | Application voluntarily taken back. May be reused. |
🔁 Go Beyond Wordmatch — Do a Phonetic Search
Click on the ‘Phonetic’ search tab and repeat your query.
This is especially helpful to catch names that sound similar, even if spelled differently. For example:
- “GlowLite” vs. “GloLite”
- “HeatPro” vs. “HeetPro”
The Trademark Office also checks for phonetic similarity while reviewing applications.
🖼️ What If You’re Registering a Logo or Design?
If you have a unique logo or image as part of your trademark:
- Use the Vienna Code Search on the portal.
- Identify the graphical elements of your logo (stars, letters, shapes) and enter their Vienna code.
- This ensures your visual branding isn’t similar to existing ones in Class 11.
🌐 Bonus: Check Domain and Social Media Availability
Trademark protection applies to product categories, but in today’s world, digital branding matters too.
- Use tools like Namechk.com or GoDaddy to check domain name availability.
- Check Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for active business names.
- Ensure your name is not already being used online—even if it’s not trademarked.
🤝 When Should You Consult a Professional?
While the public search tool is user-friendly, it doesn’t catch everything—especially when dealing with:
- Complex trademarks (multi-word, invented words)
- Logo and device marks
- Cases with similar sounding names
- High-value or national-level brands
In such cases, a trademark consultant or attorney can provide a detailed search report and expert legal opinion.
✅ Final Checklist Before You Apply
Here’s a quick recap of what to do before submitting your trademark application for Class 11:
✔ Search wordmark and phonetic match
✔ Narrow down to Class 11 only
✔ Look out for similar-sounding or visually close marks
✔ Check status (avoid “Registered” or “Objected”)
✔ Do a Vienna code search if applicable
✔ Confirm digital availability (domain, socials)
✔ Modify your brand name if needed
✔ Consult a professional for a clearance opinion
🏁 Conclusion
Registering a trademark under Class 11 is a powerful step for businesses in the electrical appliances, lighting, and sanitary goods industries. But the process must begin with an informed availability check. This not only protects your brand but also avoids costly and time-consuming legal challenges.
Taking the time to do a comprehensive trademark search using the steps in this guide will ensure that you choose a name that’s both memorable and legally safe.
📢 Need Help with Trademark Registration?
At VMK Professionals, we specialize in end-to-end trademark registration services in India, including:
- Comprehensive name clearance reports
- Trademark application drafting
- Filing under Class 11 and other relevant classes
- Handling objections and oppositions
We help lighting, electrical, and appliance brands across India secure their brand identity legally and efficiently.
👉 Contact VMK Professionals today to get started with your Class 11 trademark registration.