Hi, I’m planning to start a clothing brand in India (Class 25), and I have a query regarding trademark usage.
Suppose I want to use a brand name like “XYZ” (just an example). When I checked the trademark database, I found that the exact word “XYZ” is not registered, but there are multiple trademarks that contain the word “XYZ” along with other words (for example, “XYZ Collection”, “XYZ Wear”, etc.) in the same class.
My questions are:
1. Can I use “XYZ” as a standalone brand name in this situation?
2. Even if “XYZ” is not registered exactly, would existing marks containing “XYZ” create a legal risk?
3. How do authorities determine similarity is the common word (like “XYZ”) considered the dominant part?
I want to ensure I choose a legally safe and protectable brand name before launching.
Thank you.