Trademarking surnames

Dec 2022

Having difficult surnames may be challenging to explain others and also when you want to register the name as trademark. As per the trademark and merchandise act of 1958, it is stated that a mark can be refused if one choose a personal name or surname. Though, there is no such clear specification in the act, people have consumed that surnames can be registered as trademarks. It may be a good to claim registration over someone that is common to others. Trademark is about finding a unique name relevant to the service or product of your service. This shall help the identifier to find your product easily from the rest in the market. So, using a surname as a trademark may not be a good option to try.

It is known that a surname can be considered as trademark only when it is connected with business by means of advertising and others. Though, you get a right to use a surname registered and use it for purpose of trade, there is no point in using one that is someone else may also pick. As starting a business in the name of surname is not common these days in India, number of businesses of same category and the plural use of the surname has also increased. Owing to this, it creates confusion in the market and one fail to exercise exclusive rights relating to the mark.

Important things to know about trademarking surnames

A particular surname word may not be suitable for registration unless it has any feature of distinctiveness. This is mainly done to bring in some differentiation among the goods of different proprietors with the same trademark surname.

In case the surname chosen for registration shows a better meaning for the trademark, it may be worthy of registration even when it does not have any distinctiveness. However, in such cases, the protection of registered surname may be challenging. To be one the safe side, it is to avoid getting a surname registered even when it has relevance with goods or service of the brand. If you are planning to choose a surname as business trademark, there are myths related to its registration. It is better to check for the existence of the trademark before you finally make up your mind to use it for your business.

Courts’ opinion regarding trademarks and surname

As per courts opinion, a surname has ordinary significance and the word does not have much significance other than just being a surname. If the surname has other meaning with it, there is high chance of the surname to register it. This is useful for your business and it shall help to get a distinctiveness of the chosen surname when used as a trademark for the business. You need to research well to know which surname word will be suitable and distinct to be used for your business.

However, trademarking and registering a surname is not a good idea if you are looking something exclusive rights to exercise for your business.

Trending Blogs

Delhi HC’s Ex Parte Order in Coca-Cola Company & Anr vs Glacier Water Industries Ltd.

This is a case of a Delhi High court ex parte proceeding concerning trademark dilution. The plaintiff filed a suit seeking a permanent injunction, damages and to restrain them from passing off their products as that of the plaintiff. The plaintiff also pleaded the court to restrain the defendants from using the mark ‘KINLEY’ and […]

3D Printing and IPR

The three-dimensional or 3D printing service is different from the traditional way of manufacturing. In the 3D process, objects are created layer wise to get the desired three dimensional impacts. Since the inception of this latest idea in 1980s, it has gone through several changes in the technology used. This requires use of different production […]

Domain Name Disputes in India

Domain Name As Trademarks A domain name which is unique, capable of identifying itself and distinguishing its goods and services from those of others and acts as a reliable source identifier of concerned goods and services on the internet may be registered as a trademark. Domain Name Disputes A domain name dispute would arise when […]

Fluid Trademarks

Fluid mark is often thought of as a conventional mark which can be converted to a living form with some specific representation. In other words, fluid trademark is a modern method of branding that shall help achieve success easily in this digital era. As per the name, the mark tends to change with time. This […]

Protection of Acronyms under Trademark Law

It is known that acronyms are the first letters of a long phrase of words combined together. On the other hand, trademark is about a mark that shall help distinguish the product or service of goods or service from the rest of the items. Therefore, it can be said that an acronym can be registered […]

Evaluation Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property has always existed since the dawn of time but there were no laws in place for their protection. Intellectual property is intangible asset, be it music, creative writing, arts, discoveries, inventions and development of unique words, symbols and artwork. Intellectual property rights is a generic term that covers copyright, industrial design, trade secrets, […]

Need for Kashmiri Saffron to get the GI tag

The Kashmiri Saffron has been given geographical indication tag recently from Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu. The acquiring of GI tag is a step ahead in bringing the brand among the list of top ones. The tag has been given for the saffron grown in Kashmir. In this regard, it can be said that the […]

Why Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights create a situation in which the inventor or the creator enjoys full ownership and rights to commercial exploitation of his creation while everyone else is excluded. The justification is that such a creation, if it has material value, must benefit the creator while preventing others who would otherwise commercially exploit the concept […]

Pharma Companies File 15% of Patents in India

The Indian Pharma industry is primarily known for its Generic Drugs. But recently, to push its value higher in the market, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is investing more in research and development of new drugs along with increasing the potency of the existing ones to move up the value chain. From 2013-2015, out of the […]

For a music composer, lyricist, a producer, or any performer, protecting music is a big concern under the U.S. copyright protection laws. By copyright, it indicates legal protection that is offered to the original work of music of the creator from others to use it by their name. The copyright law shall prevent others from […]