Trademark Formality Check Fail

File Reply Today At ₹1,500 Plus Government Fees

Why Choose Us

In the fast-paced world of Indian business, it’s vital to protect your brand’s identity. This means securing a trademark, a unique symbol that distinguishes your business. However, the process of trademark registration can be complex. Many businesses encounter queries at the initial stages, where a well-crafted response is necessary to defend their brand’s reputation.

At My Trademark Guide, we recognize the importance of safeguarding your brand identity in today’s competitive business environment. As a trusted provider of trademark services, we are dedicated to offering comprehensive and hassle-free solutions to safeguard your intellectual property. Here’s why choosing us is the wise and strategic choice for your trademark service needs in India:

Expertise and Experience

With years of experience, our team of seasoned professionals brings unparalleled expertise to the table. We have successfully assisted numerous businesses in navigating the intricacies of trademark related services, ensuring a smooth and efficient process from start to finish.

Comprehensive Guidance

Our dedicated team is committed to provide clear and complete guidance throughout the entire trademark registration process. From initial consultation till issuance of registration certificate, we are with you on every step.

Cost-Effective Solutions

We understand the importance of cost-effectiveness in business operations. Our pricing structure is transparent, competitive, and designed to offer excellent value for money. No hidden fees, just straightforward and cost-effective trademark services.

Timely Execution

Our streamlined processes and efficient workflows are designed to ensure timely filing of reply to your trademark objection, allowing you to protect your brand promptly and start reaping the benefits of a registered trademark.

What is Formality Check Fail

The process of trademark registration is not completed merely upon filing the trademark application with the department. The trademark application travels through various stages before it reaches its final destination i.e. trademark registration. One of such stages is when the trademark application is filed it is examined by the trademark department to check the information filed in the trademark application.

When the trademark application is filed with the department, the trademark examiner will conduct a preliminary check to find out whether the trademark application is filed properly or not. At this stage the examiner checks whether the information mentioned in the trademark application is correct.

If all the information filed in the trademark application is acceptable, then the department will move the trademark application for examination and mark it as “Formality Check Pass”. If the department wants to raise any discrepancy regarding the application filed then they will issue a keep pending notice and designate the trademark application as “Formality Check Fail”.

With the help of My Trademark Guide, dealing with these issues is easier, helping you get your trademark registered smoothly.

Documents Required To Reply Formality Check Fail

For Replying to the trademark keep pending notice, we require the following from you:

Authorization Letter

Our team will share the format of the authorization letter. This authorization letter is necessary so we can file the reply on your behalf.

Proofs of Use

If you are already using the mark, we will require proofs of use of the mark like invoices, advertisement expenses, turnover proofs, etc.

My Trademark Guide is your reliable partner in the process of trademark registration. We provide expert guidance and support to make the journey hassle-free. You can trust us to help you compile all the required documents and navigate through the complexities of the registration process. Start securing your brand identity today by choosing us!

Reasons For Formality Check Fail

A trademark application may be marked as a formality check fail for various reasons. The examiner may issue a keep pending notice in the following cases:

Incorrect class: If the applicant has chosen the wrong class and such selected class does not contain the goods as mentioned in the application, then the trademark department will issue a keep pending notice.
Incorrect goods description: If the trademark class is correct but the goods or service description mentioned in the class does not match the class description, then the examiner may mark the trademark as formality check fail.
Word or Device description is incorrect: When the word or image description mentioned by the applicant is objectionable, the department may issue a notice to the applicant to correct it.
Non-payment of fees: Sometimes the applicant may file the trademark application in the wrong category and pay less fees. In such cases, the trademark department may issue a notice requiring the applicant to pay the deficit fees.
Requirement of evidence: When the applicant has claimed a prior date of use in the trademark application and has not attached the supporting evidence, the trademark department may demand evidence by issuing the keep pending notice.
Documents Requirement: The trademark department may issue a keep pending notice when they need additional documents from the applicant to verify the trademark application.

Process To Reply Formality Check Fail

When the keep pending notice is issued and the application is marked as “Formality Check Fail”, the Trademark department sends the notice to the applicant and their agent via email. In order to reply to the notice, the below-mentioned process shall be followed:

Understand the Objection: The first step is to carefully read the notice to analyze the objection raised. Try to understand why the examiner issued the notice.
Drafting the Reply: Once you have a good understanding of why your trademark application is kept on hold, draft your reply carefully. Consider the following points:
- Keep the reply brief and focused on the query the examiner has raised.
- Address each query separately.
- Refer to relevant case laws to support your case.
- Provide evidence of use if you’re already using the mark.
- Request the Examiner not to reject the application without providing a chance for a hearing.
Submit the reply: After drafting the reply to the notice, submit it to the trademark department. You can do this either online or offline. Sometimes, the department may also ask to alter the trademark application to proceed it for examination. In such cases file TM-M for required alterations.
Review of Reply: The Examiner reviews the submitted reply. If satisfied, they may move the application for examination.
Further Action: If the Examiner remains unsatisfied and seeks more clarification, he may issue another notice. If the applicant or their agent is unable to submit a satisfactory reply, then the examiner may refuse the application.

Responding to keep pending notice without technical knowledge can be challenging and may reduce the chances of acceptance. My Trademark Guide makes filing replies to notice easier. Contact us today to simplify the process and increase your chances of acceptance.

How To Submit Reply To Formality Check Fail

Online Submission:

Log in to the E-filing portal at https://ipindiaonline.gov.in/trademarkefiling/user/frmLoginNew.aspx
Navigate to the Miscellaneous Reply section.
Submit the reply to formality check fail through the online portal.

Email Submission:

Send the reply to the Trademark department at parm.tmr@nic.in.
Ensure that the reply is attached and relevant details are included in the email.

Physical Submission:

Submit a physical copy of the reply directly to the Trademark department.

Choose the method that is most convenient for you or your agent. Whether online through the portal, via email, or physically submitting, make sure to follow the specified guidelines for each submission method.

Responding to Trademark keep pending notice without technical knowledge can be challenging and may reduce the chances of acceptance. My Trademark Guide makes filing replies to such notices easier. Contact us today to simplify the process and increase your chances of acceptance.

How To Avoid Keep Pending Notice

Pay attention to the following points while filing your trademark application to avoid the keep pending notice and initiation of formality check fail status:

Make sure that the trademark class and description matches with each other. Initial research while drafting the trademark description is very important to get the complete benefits of trademark registration.
Attention shall be paid while entering the word and image description for your trademark application. Vague or incorrect description may result in objection from department.
It is important to choose the correct category of the applicant while applying for trademark registration. Choosing the correct category not only results in avoiding the demand for the payment of deficit fees but also avoid any unnecessary delays.
When the applicant is already using the mark and wants to claim the prior date of usage while applying for trademark registration, it is always a good idea to attach the proofs of use at the time of application filing.
While filing the trademark application make sure that you have attached a legible copy of all the required documents. If applying through an agent, the authorization must be attached. Different situations may require different supportive documents to be annexed to the application.

How We Work

Contact Us

Contact our Experts and get free consultancy. Our Experts will guide you about Trademark Registration Process and answer your queries.

Drafting Reply

Once we have received all the information from the client, our Experts will start drafting the reply to the Trademark queries received.

Filing Notice Reply

Our team will share the draft reply to the Trademark queries received. Upon confirmation, we will file the reply with the Examiner.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is keep pending notice?

If the department wants to raise any discrepancy regarding the trademark application filed then they will issue a keep pending notice.

What is formality check fail status?

If the department wants to raise any discrepancy regarding the application filed then they will issue a keep pending notice and designate the trademark application as “Formality Check Fail”.

What are some reasons for trademark formality check failures?

A trademark may be marked as formality check fail for many reasons like incorrect information, wrong class, wrong product or service description etc.

What to do when keep pending notice is issued?

When a notice is issued, it is important to carefully read and reply to each query raised.

Within how many days reply is to be filed to keep pending notice?

The reply to keep pending notice is required to be filed within 30 days.

How to avoid formality check failures?

In order to avoid keep pending notice it is important to pay attention to various points while filing the trademark application like entering the right class and description, submitting correct documentation etc.

Can I seek assistance from an expert if my trademark formality check fails?

The applicant may reply to the keep pending notice himself but in order to make sure that the queries are addressed correctly it is recommended to hire a professional for the same.

Is trademark formality check fail and objection same?

A formality check failure typically relates to administrative or procedural issues with the application, such as incomplete forms or missing documentation. In contrast, a trademark objection occurs when the trademark office determines that the trademark does not meet the substantive requirements for registration, such as lacking distinctiveness or being too similar to existing trademarks.