How to Search for Class 12 Trademarks Online Before Filing: Step-by-Step Guide
Before you register your brand name, logo, or product identity for automobiles or vehicle-related goods, it’s essential to ensure it’s not already taken. If you’re planning to register under Class 12 — which includes vehicles, vehicle parts, electric vehicles, bicycles, and mobility devices — conducting a proper trademark search is the first and most important step.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to search for Class 12 trademarks online in India, why this step is crucial, tools and techniques to use, what to watch out for, and how it prevents legal trouble later.
🚗 What is Class 12 in Trademark Classification?
In India, trademarks are classified into 45 different classes according to the Nice Classification system, adopted internationally.
Class 12 includes:
Vehicles, apparatus for locomotion by land, air, or water, and their parts and accessories.
✅ Key Products Covered Under Class 12:
- Automobiles (cars, trucks, buses)
- Electric vehicles (EVs)
- Bicycles, scooters, motorbikes
- Railway vehicles
- Airplanes, drones
- Boats, ships
- Tractors, mobility scooters, wheelchairs
- Vehicle parts: engines, tires, brakes, gear systems, chassis, shock absorbers, etc.
If your brand name is associated with any of these goods, Class 12 is the correct trademark class.
🔍 Why Conduct a Class 12 Trademark Search Before Filing?
A trademark search ensures that:
- Your brand name or logo is not already registered or applied for by someone else.
- You avoid infringement disputes or legal issues.
- Your application is not rejected due to similarity with an existing mark.
- You save time and money by not going through a flawed filing process.
- You identify competitors’ trademarks and plan your branding strategy better.
Skipping a proper trademark search is one of the top reasons applications get objected or rejected.
🛠 Tools You’ll Need: IP India Public Search
In India, the official online trademark search tool is available through the government’s Intellectual Property portal.
🔗 Official Website:
📂 Direct Public Search Link:
📘 Step-by-Step Guide to Search Class 12 Trademarks Online
Follow these detailed steps to perform a successful Class 12 trademark search:
✅ Step 1: Visit the IP India Public Search Portal
- Go to the Trademark Public Search page.
- You’ll see options like:
- Wordmark
- Vienna Code
- Phonetic Search
For beginners, Wordmark search is the most straightforward.
✅ Step 2: Choose the Search Type
Select the Wordmark tab (default) to search using brand names.
You’ll see fields:
- Wordmark – enter your brand name.
- Class – enter “12” (for vehicle-related goods).
- Search Type – pick:
- Start With: finds marks that begin with your word.
- Contains: broader search.
- Match With: exact match.
We recommend starting with “Contains” for broader safety.
✅ Step 3: Enter Your Trademark Name
Let’s say your planned brand name is “E-Zoom” (for an electric scooter).
- Type E-Zoom in the Wordmark field.
- Enter Class 12 in the Class box.
- Click on “Search”.
✅ Step 4: Analyze the Results
The system will display a table showing:
- Application No.
- Wordmark
- Class
- Status (Registered, Objected, Refused, etc.)
- Proprietor Name
✅ Look for:
- Exact matches – These mean your name is taken.
- Similar names – If your brand sounds like or looks like an existing mark, it may still cause rejection.
- Status:
- If the similar mark is Refused or Abandoned, you may proceed.
- If it’s Registered or Accepted, it’s risky to use.
Click on the Application Number to get more details like:
- Brand logo (if filed)
- Goods description
- Date of filing
- Owner details
✅ Step 5: Try Variants and Spellings
Try other similar spellings, phonetic versions, and plural/singular forms. For “E-Zoom,” also search:
- EZOOM
- E ZOOM
- EZUM
- EZM
- E-Zum
This helps identify phonetic conflicts — which are often objected.
✅ Step 6: Use Phonetic Search (Optional)
If you’re unsure about spelling variants, click the Phonetic Search tab and enter your brand name. This finds similar-sounding names.
For example, “Ridez” may conflict with “Rides” or “Ridez.”
⚖️ What If a Similar Trademark Exists?
Here’s what you can do:
🔄 1. Modify Your Brand Name
Add or change a few characters to make it unique, e.g. “E-ZoomX” or “Zoomerly.”
📝 2. Add a Unique Logo (Device Mark)
Even if your wordmark is similar, a highly distinctive logo may still pass — although this is risky.
📚 3. File in a Different Class (if applicable)
If your product is unrelated to vehicles, consider the appropriate class (like Class 9 for software, Class 35 for marketing, etc.).
🛑 4. Avoid the Name Altogether
If an existing registered mark is too close, especially from a large or well-known brand, avoid using it altogether.
🔒 Legal Consequences of Ignoring the Search
If you don’t perform a trademark search and file a name already taken or similar to an existing Class 12 trademark:
- Your application may get rejected or objected by the examiner.
- You may face legal notice or opposition from the trademark owner.
- You could be sued for trademark infringement.
- You might have to rebrand entirely, wasting time and resources.
🧠 Tips for a Successful Class 12 Trademark Search
- Always search for plural forms, abbreviations, and misspellings.
- Try wordmark and phonetic searches both.
- Search even if you’re filing a logo/device mark.
- Don’t skip even if the brand is coined or invented.
- If you’re unsure, consult a professional or legal expert.
🔁 Trademark Search vs. Trademark Filing: Know the Difference
| Trademark Search | Trademark Filing |
| Free of cost | Involves a government fee |
| Performed before application | Done after finalizing brand |
| Helps avoid conflicts | Grants legal protection |
| No legal validity | Offers exclusive rights |
Always do the search first — filing without a search is like jumping without a parachute.
🧾 Trademark Search Report: Do You Need One?
A professional search report provides:
- Conflict analysis
- Similarity assessment
- Legal risk factors
- Recommendations
You can get this from a trademark attorney or service provider before investing in branding and marketing.
📆 When Should You Conduct a Trademark Search?
As early as possible!
- Before designing your logo
- Before registering your domain name
- Before launching your website, packaging, or marketing
This saves time, cost, and legal trouble.
💬 Real Example
Imagine an EV startup wants to launch a scooter brand called “Voltra.” They skip the trademark search and file under Class 12.
Unfortunately, a battery company already has a registered Class 12 trademark “Volttra.” The application gets objected due to phonetic similarity. The startup loses branding efforts and must refile with a new name.
This example shows why a simple free trademark search can prevent costly mistakes.
🔄 What to Do After a Clear Search?
If your Class 12 trademark name is:
- Not taken
- No phonetic or visual conflicts
- Unique and distinctive
Then:
- File the application under Class 12 using Form TM-A.
- Pay the required fee (₹4,500 for individuals/MSMEs or ₹9,000 for companies).
- Monitor application status after submission.
🧾 Validity of Trademark in Class 12
Once registered:
- Trademark is valid for 10 years.
- Can be renewed indefinitely every 10 years.
- Registered mark gets the ® symbol.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Performing a Class 12 trademark search before filing is not just a legal formality — it’s a smart business move. It helps you avoid conflicts, protects your brand, and lays a strong foundation for brand success in the highly competitive automobile and vehicle parts sector.
If you’re unsure how to search properly or need expert support, let professionals guide you through the process.
🔧 Need Help with Trademark Search or Filing?
At VMK Professionals, we help you:
- Conduct detailed Class 12 trademark searches
- Prepare legal search reports
- File applications with precision
- Handle objections or oppositions if any
📞 Contact us now to secure your vehicle brand name with confidence.
VMK Professionals – Trademark Experts You Can Trust.