India lets you file one application covering many classes — but that convenience can cost you. In most cases, separate single-class applications are the smarter filing, and it isn’t about billing you more.
The official fee is the same either way
Indian law allows multi-class applications. But even in a multi-class application, the official fee is the same as filing separately — roughly USD 150 per class (about USD 75 for an individual, small enterprise or startup). So there’s no fee saving to speak of from bundling classes into one application.
The real problem: one opposition stalls everything
Here’s the catch. If a third party opposes any one class in a multi-class application, the other classes are stalled too — they can’t proceed to registration while the opposition to a single class plays out. To free the unopposed classes, you have to file a divisional application to split them off.
Divisional applications: slow and costly
That sounds simple, but it isn’t. A divisional application adds cost and consumes time. In practice, the Trade Marks Office allots separate application numbers for the divided classes but doesn’t actually process them promptly — defeating the whole point of letting unopposed classes move ahead.
The practical recommendation
- Filing yourself? File single-class applications unless you’re certain no opposition will arise. That way, an opposition to one class never holds your other classes hostage.
- Using counsel? Ask for a special/bundled fee for filing single-class applications across multiple classes — many firms will happily extend a discounted rate, so you get the resilience of single-class filings without paying full professional fees per class.
The takeaways
- No fee advantage to multi-class filing — the official fee is per class either way.
- One opposition freezes all classes in a multi-class application.
- Divisional applications are slow and costly — and the Office often doesn’t process them efficiently.
- Default to single-class filings, and negotiate a bundled professional fee with your counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Does India allow multi-class trademark applications? Yes — but the official fee is charged per class, so bundling classes doesn’t save on official fees.
Why file single-class applications instead? Because an opposition to any one class in a multi-class application stalls all the other classes, and unbundling them via a divisional application is slow and costly.
What is a divisional application? An application that splits classes out of an existing application — used to let unopposed classes proceed, though the Office often assigns numbers without promptly processing them.
What does a trademark application cost per class in India? Roughly USD 150 per class, or about USD 75 for an individual, small enterprise or startup.
Useful official resources
- The Trade Marks Act, 1999
- Trade Marks Registry — IP India