A car name isn’t just a word. It’s a promise on wheels. When you hear Swift, Scorpio, or Nexon, you instantly picture the machine, the badge, the feel. That’s not coincidence - it’s trademark power. In India’s roaring automobile market, protecting that power means understanding Class 12 trademarks and how they safeguard everything from a car’s name to its design and trade dress. Here’s how to trademark a car name in India step-by-step under Class 12 trademarks.
Whether it’s a two-wheeler, four-wheeler, or electric ride, filing a vehicle trademark in India ensures your brand name stays protected across every model and market.
What Is Class 12 in India?
Under the Nice Classification system, Class 12 covers vehicles, locomotion apparatus, and parts thereof. In simpler words - cars, bikes, buses, EVs, and their accessories. Registering under Class 12 lets you own exclusive rights to your car name, automobile brand, or vehicle model. From luxury sedans to electric scooters, Class 12 is the home for every brand that moves on land.
Can You Trademark a Car or Automobile Name in India?
Absolutely yes. A car name trademark gives your brand the legal muscle to stop others from copying or confusing your buyers. Imagine launching an EV called “Zeno” only to find a rival selling “Xeno” next door. Without a trademark registration, you’d have little ground to fight. But with one? You own that identity.
This protection covers:
- Car names and model names (like Creta, Alto, Bolero)
- Automobile brand names (like Mahindra, Tata Motors)
- Logos and symbols
- Even distinctive car sounds or colors (think Harley-Davidson’s exhaust note or Lamborghini yellow)
A proper trademark registration for your automobile brand also strengthens your credibility when expanding into accessories or international markets.
How to Trademark a Car Name in India (Class 12 Step-by-Step)
A car name is more than branding - it’s identity on the road. And in India’s buzzing automobile market, securing that identity under Class 12 trademarks can save you from costly rebranding or messy legal disputes.
1. Do a Class 12 Trademark Search
Before you fall in love with your car’s name, check if someone else already has. Use a reliable Class 12 trademark search tool or the IP India Public Search tool to verify availability under Trademark Class 12. Type your proposed car or automobile name - whether it’s “Vayra,” “Bolt,” or “Zeno” - and scan for lookalikes. Even small spelling tweaks like “Zyno” vs “Zino” can lead to trademark conflicts.
Don’t just search for identical names. Look for similar sounding marks too. Because Indian courts judge confusion, not just spelling. A car name trademark search today can save you from a courtroom battle tomorrow.
2. File Form TM-A
Now it’s time to make it official. Head to the official IP India website and fill out Form TM-A. Choose Class 12 - it’s the category for vehicles, automobiles, and locomotion apparatus. If you’re filing for your badge or emblem, include a car logo trademark registration in India along with the word mark to protect both name and design.
You’ll need to include:
- The applicant’s details (individual or company)
- The mark’s description (your car or automobile name/logo)
- The class number (Class 12 for vehicles)
- The fee - ₹4,500 for individuals/startups, ₹9,000 for companies
You can file online, and the portal will assign you an application number immediately. Your mark’s first footprint in the trademark world.
3. Examination & Objection
Once filed, the trademark examiner takes over. They’ll review your application to see if it conflicts with any existing marks or violates the Trade Marks Act, 1999. If something looks too descriptive (say, “SpeedX” for cars), or too similar to another mark, you’ll get a trademark objection notice. Don’t panic - this is normal. You’ll have 30 days to respond. Craft a strong reply to objection explaining why your car name trademark is unique, supported by proof of use (like ads, brochures, or website screenshots). Do it right, and your application keeps rolling smoothly toward registration.
4. Publication & Opposition
Once approved by the examiner, your trademark isn’t registered yet - it’s published in the Trademark Journal. This 4-month window is your public test drive. Anyone who thinks your name is too close to theirs can file an opposition.
If no one objects, you’re good to go. If someone does, you enter a trademark opposition proceeding - a short legal battle where both sides present their case. The good news? If you’ve done your Class 12 trademark search properly and chosen a distinctive name, you’ll likely cruise through.
5. Registration & Renewal
Once the opposition period passes without trouble, your car name gets the green light. You’ll receive a trademark registration certificate - your legal ownership proof.
From here, you can:
- Use the ® symbol proudly
- Enforce your rights against infringers
- Build your automobile brand with confidence
The protection lasts 10 years, but can be renewed indefinitely. Think of it like insurance for your brand - as long as your car runs, your trademark should too.
Why It’s Worth It
From Tata’s Punch to Mahindra’s Scorpio, every iconic model name in India is a registered Class 12 trademark. Behind each one lies foresight - not just creativity. So, whether you’re a startup designing electric scooters or an automaker launching the next SUV, make trademark registration part of your journey. Because in the race to build trust, your car name is your badge. Protect it before someone else parks on it.
Design Registration for Cars & Automobiles in India
Some designs are so striking they deserve their own protection through a proper car design registration in India. That’s where the Designs Act, 2000 steps in. A car design registration protects the shape, configuration, pattern, or ornamentation of the vehicle- basically, what meets the eye. If a rival copies your SUV’s front grille or headlight DRL pattern, your design registration can stop them.
Distinctive component designs - like headlights, DRLs, or alloy wheels - can also be individually registered. Duration? 10 years, extendable by 5.
Trade Dress Protection for Automobiles
Sometimes, it’s not the name or the logo - it’s the look. That’s where trade dress protection in India steps in. That unique blend of curves, badges, and colors that makes a car instantly recognizable. Indian courts have recognized trade dress protection for overall get-up, silhouette, and even dashboard layouts. So if your competitor mimics the design language that customers identify as yours, you can claim passing-off or infringement under trademark law.
Automobile Trademark Disputes in India: Lessons from the 6E vs BE 6e Case
In 2023, Mahindra’s electric SUV ‘BE 6e’ faced opposition from airline IndiGo’s ‘6E’ mark. The case turned heads - one was an airline, the other an automaker - but both shared the same commercial field of mobility services. The Delhi High Court observed that even across industries, a mark could cause confusion if both players target overlapping markets (for instance, EV ridesharing).
The takeaway? Always run a trademark clearance search and consider adjacent industries before naming your next vehicle.
EV Trademarks & Modern Features
Electric Vehicles (EVs) add another layer of creativity - and complexity. Electric Vehicles (EVs) add another layer of creativity - and complexity to EV trademark filing in India.
Beyond the car’s name, manufacturers now trademark:
- Charging network brands
- Dashboard UIs and software names
- Start-up sounds and light patterns
Non-traditional marks (sound, color, motion) are still emerging in India, but filings are increasing fast, especially among EV startups.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many automobile brands trip on the basics of Class 12 trademarks. First, don’t pick descriptive names like Speedy or Green Car. They sound clever but get rejected fast - the Trademark Registry wants names that stand out, not describe. Second, remember your logo trademark. That badge on your car is your visual signature; protect it with a separate device mark filing. Third, never skip design registration. Your car’s shape or headlight pattern can be copied if it isn’t registered under the Designs Act, 2000.
And finally - renew on time. A car name trademark lasts ten years, but it dies quietly if forgotten. Set reminders. Keep it alive. Keep it yours.
The Engine Behind A Great Vehicle
A car name is emotional capital. It’s whispered in showrooms, printed in ads, and etched into memory. Without a Class 12 trademark, that identity can be hijacked. Without design registration, your aesthetics can be cloned. Without trade dress protection, your brand can fade in a sea of look-alikes. Protecting your automobile trademark isn’t paperwork - it’s brand survival.
And if you’d rather focus on building your next great vehicle, let Trademarkia’s experienced trademark attorneys in India handle the rest - from Class 12 filings and design registrations to renewals and infringement responses. Because great cars deserve great protection. And that’s exactly what Trademarkia does best.
FAQs
Can I trademark a car name in India?
Yes. A car name trademark in India falls under Class 12 trademarks for vehicles and parts. Start with a Class 12 trademark search, then file Form TM-A online. Trademarkia’s experienced trademark attorneys in India can handle your filing from search to approval.
How to trademark a car name in India step-by-step?
Do a Class 12 trademark search, file TM-A, respond to any objections, and complete registration. Renew every 10 years to keep protection active. Trademarkia guides you through every stage - filing, objections, and renewals.
What is Class 12 in trademarks?
Trademark Class 12 covers vehicles, automobiles, EVs, and parts. It’s the class for protecting car names, model names, and logos in India. Trademarkia ensures your goods are correctly listed under Class 12 for full protection.
What is design registration for cars in India?
A car design registration in India protects your vehicle’s shape, lights, or grille under the Designs Act, 2000. It complements your Class 12 trademark. Trademarkia helps file both design and trademark registrations for complete brand safety.
