Criteria for determining well-known trademark in India

What is a Well-Known Trademark?

The term ‘well-known trademark’ refers to a mark which has become so well-known to the substantial segment of the public through its extensive and continuous use. Use of the mark in relation to any other goods or services by another party may be taken as indicating a connection between the two parties.Individuals/ Companies that have acquired immense brand value, reputation and goodwill in India through their trademarks should get the trademarks included in the list of well-known trademarks to safeguard themselves from future infringements and dilutions.

What is the criteria for determining a Well-Known Trademark?

The Registrar shall, while determining whether a trademark is a well-known trade mark, takes into account all the facts which he considers relevant for determining a trade mark as a well-known trade mark including the following factors:

• That the trade mark is well known to the public at large in India;
• The number of persons involved in the channels of distribution of the goods or services;
• The number of actual or potential consumers of the goods or services;
• The duration, extent and geographical area of any use of such trade mark;
• The business circle dealing with those goods or services.

The record of successful enforcement of the rights in that trademark in particular, the extent to which the trademark has been recognized as a well-known mark by any court or Registrar under that record.