IP Registration Fees in India
IP registration costs in India often look small at the start, with copyright fees from ₹500, trademark filings from ₹4,500 per class, and patent filings from about ₹1,600. These figures only cover entry stages. Costs rise through drafting, objections, multiple classes, and renewals. Most overruns come from rushed filings and poor planning, not high government fees. Understanding the full process early helps control spending and ensures intellectual property protection remains effective and durable.
Creative ideas move quickly. Legal protection does not move on its own. For founders, creators, and businesses, the first question is rarely legal theory. It is cost. How much will it take to protect intellectual property rights tied to what has been built?
Before moving ahead with IP registration in India, understanding the fee structure matters more than most people expect. Government charges are fixed, but total expense often changes based on filing details, objections, and long-term maintenance. Many applicants budget only for the entry fee and overlook what comes later.
This guide breaks down IP registration fees with clear numbers, explains what affects final cost, and highlights where people commonly miscalculate, so planning happens early and protection does not turn into an expensive correction exercise later.
Government IP Registration Fees in India: A Comparative Overview
Here is comparison table of government IP registration fees in India across major intellectual properties. These are indicative statutory fees and exclude professional charges.
| Intellectual Property | Who Can Apply | Starting Government Fee | What the Fee Covers |
| Trademark | Individual/Startup/MSME | ₹4,500 per class | Online filing of one trademark in one class |
| Trademark | Company/LLP | ₹9,000 per class | Online filing of one trademark in one class |
| Patent | Individual/Startup | ₹1,600 | Provisional or complete specification filing |
| Patent | Company | ₹8,000 | Provisional or complete specification filing |
| Patent | Individual/Startup | ₹4,000 | Request for examination |
| Patent | Company | ₹20,000 | Request for examination |
| Copyright | Individual/Entity | ₹500 | Literary, artistic, musical, or dramatic work |
| Copyright | Individual/Entity | Higher than ₹500 | Software, films, and special categories |
| Industrial Design | Individual/Startup | ₹1,000 | Filing one design application |
| Industrial Design | Company | ₹2,000 | Filing one design application |
| Geographical Indication (GI) | Producer group/Association | ₹5,000 | Filing one GI application |
| Semiconductor IC Layout Design | Individual/Entity | ₹5,000 | Registration of chip layout design |
| Plant Variety Protection | Farmer/Breeder | ₹500 to ₹2,000 | Registration under PPV&FR Act |
| Trade Secret | Business | No government fee | Protected through contracts and controls |
| Traditional Knowledge | Community/Authority | Not registrable | Protection through documentation systems |
Each IP category follows a different legal route. Some rely on registration, others on documentation and contracts. Understanding which category applies is as important as knowing the fee.
Now, let us look closely at fee structure for trademarks, copyrights, and patents.
Trademark Registration Fees in India
A trademark protects brand identifiers like names, logos, and slogans. Think business names, app icons, product labels.
Government fees
The cost of trademark registration with the Trademark Registry depends on who you are.
- Individual, startup, or MSME: ₹4,500 per class (online filing)
- Company or LLP: ₹9,000 per class (online filing)
One class covers one category of goods or services. A clothing brand and software platform fall into different classes.
Other costs to factor in
- Trademark search before filing
- Drafting and classification errors
- Replying to objections
- Opposition handling, if raised
This is where many applicants underestimate the total spend. Filing fee is only entry ticket. A detailed breakdown of how these expenses add up is explained in our guide on trademark registration fees and costs, which shows why budgeting only for the filing stage can lead to surprises later.
Patent Registration Fees in India
Patents protect inventions, including products, processes, or technical improvements that are new and useful. To secure these rights, innovators must file permanent patent application with accurate technical details that clearly define scope of protection.
Basic government charges
Patent registration fees in India vary based on applicant type and stage of filing. Individuals and startups pay lower fees than companies, and each step in process has separate government charge.
For individuals and startups:
- Provisional application: around ₹1,600
- Complete specification: around ₹1,600
- Request for examination: around ₹4,000
For companies:
- Provisional application: around ₹8,000
- Complete specification: around ₹8,000
- Request for examination: around ₹20,000
These are statutory government fees only. They do not include drafting, prosecution, or response costs, which often form larger part of overall patent expense.
The real cost factor
Patent drafting is technical. Poor drafting weakens protection and risks rejection. Professional drafting and prosecution often form the bulk of the expense, especially for complex inventions.
If patent survives examination and objections, renewal fees apply every year after grant.
Copyright Registration Fees in India
Copyright registration protects original works such as books, music, films, software code, artwork, and other forms of digital content.
Filing fees for Copyright
The cost to register copyright in India is comparatively low.
- Literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic work: Around ₹500 per work
- Software or cinematographic films: Higher fees, depending on the category and filing type
Low entry cost does not mean process is error-free. Issues usually arise from incomplete documents or incorrect ownership details. A clear breakdown of documents and applicable fees is explained in our guide on documents and fees for copyright registration in India, which helps creators file correctly first time.
Why People Still Go Wrong with IP Registration Fees
The process looks simple. Mistakes happen during classification, ownership declaration, or objection replies. Delays usually come from incomplete submissions, not high fees.
What Influences IP Registration Costs
Fees change based on details, not intentions.
- Applicant type
- Number of classes or claims
- Objections and oppositions
- Technical complexity
- Long-term renewals, especially for patents
Biggest hidden cost is delay. Missed deadlines lead to re filing. That means paying twice.
Should You Do IP Registration Yourself?
For simple copyrights, maybe. For trademarks and patents, filing without guidance often costs more later. Incorrect class selection, weak specifications, or missed replies lead to rejection or narrow protection.
Paying less upfront is not same as paying smart. Professional help often prevents misclassification, weak filings, and missed deadlines that lead to repeat costs later.
When filings are handled correctly first time, protection is stronger, timelines are smoother, and long term expenses stay predictable. In that sense, expert support is not an added cost. It is practical way to avoid expensive corrections and protect intellectual property without unnecessary friction.
Conclusion
Understanding IP registration fees helps you plan realistically. It does not remove the need for careful execution. Filing errors, missed deadlines, or weak documentation can dilute protection and raise costs later. If your brand, product, or content plays a real role in your business, the paperwork deserves proper attention. Our team at LegalWiz works with founders, creators, and growing companies to help register your intellectual property rights accurately, respond within deadlines, and avoid common missteps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trademark registration mandatory in India?
No. But without registration, enforcing rights becomes harder and riskier.
Can I file multiple trademarks under one application?
No. Each trademark and each class requires a separate application.
Why do patent costs vary so much?
Because drafting quality, objections, and examination responses differ for every invention.
Does copyright protection exist without registration?
Yes. Registration mainly helps as legal proof during disputes.
How long does trademark registration take?
If unopposed, usually 6 to 12 months. Objections can extend timelines.
Are government fees refundable if rejected?
No. Filing fees are non-refundable, even if the application fails.
Sapna Mane
Sapna Mane is a skilled content writer at LegalWiz.in with years of cross-industry experience and a flair for turning legal, tax, and compliance chaos into clear, scroll-stopping content. She makes sense of India’s ever-changing rules—so you don’t have to Google everything twice.
