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Japan–India Legal Support  /  日印リーガルサポート

Japan Desk

日本ブランドをインドで守る
Protecting Japanese Brands in India

Wayver assists Japanese companies, exporters, founders, and law firms with trademark protection and related legal matters in India.

Our Japan Desk focuses primarily on Indian trademark searches, filings, examination proceedings, Madrid Protocol matters, portfolio management, and enforcement support. We also assist with commercial agreements, India market entry due diligence, and selected regulatory requirements connected with entering the Indian market.

Shauree Gaikwad | Wayver Japan Desk India Visit
Trademark Protection in India

Trademark Protection
for Japanese Brands

日本ブランドのための商標保護

Trademark rights are territorial. Use or registration of a brand in Japan does not automatically protect it in India.

Japanese companies should consider filing their trademarks before exhibiting in India, speaking with distributors, listing products, or publicly announcing their India plans. Early filing can reduce the risk of a third party registering the brand first and creating costly opposition or enforcement proceedings.

Indian Trademark Services

インド商標関連サービス

Trademark Searches and Filing Strategy

商標調査および出願戦略

Availability searches, class selection, ownership review, and filing recommendations.

登録可能性の調査、区分の選定、権利関係の確認、出願方針のご提案を行います。

Indian Trademark Applications

インド商標出願

Preparation and filing of word marks, logos, product marks, and service marks.

文字商標、ロゴ、商品商標、サービスマークの作成および出願を行います。

Examination and Prosecution

審査対応

Responses to examination reports, Registry hearings, objections, and procedural requirements.

審査報告書への応答、登録局における審尋、拒絶理由への対応、その他手続き上の対応を行います。

Madrid Protocol Support

マドリッド協定対応

Responses to provisional refusals and other Indian proceedings involving international registrations.

国際登録に関するインドでの暫定的拒絶通報への対応、その他関連手続きを行います。

Trademark Portfolio Management

商標ポートフォリオ管理

Renewals, assignments, licences, recordals, ownership changes, and status monitoring.

更新、譲渡、ライセンス、記録手続き、名義変更、権利状況のモニタリングを行います。

Opposition and Enforcement Support

異議申立ておよび権利行使支援

Trademark oppositions, cancellation matters, infringement advisory, and enforcement coordination.

商標異議申立て、取消手続き、侵害に関する助言、権利行使に関する調整を行います。

Shauree Gaikwad | Japan-India Trade Event

Practical Support for Japanese
Businesses Entering India

インド進出企業のための実務サポート

Wayver's Japan Desk has been shaped by direct conversations with Japanese food, beverage, alcohol, and consumer-product businesses considering entry into India.

A recurring issue is that companies begin discussions with importers, distributors, or commercial partners before protecting their trademarks in India. Our approach is to address brand protection first and then support the contracts and regulatory steps required for the proposed launch.

This is especially important for sake, whisky, wine, food, matcha, and beverage businesses. Alcohol brands can be attractive targets for trademark squatting, making it prudent to file before exhibitions, product listings, or distributor negotiations.

Before deciding whether to enter India, we recommend that Japanese companies consider a basic India due diligence exercise. This helps clarify the legal route, commercial risks, and compliance requirements before speaking seriously with importers or distributors.

India Market Entry Due Diligence

インド市場参入デューデリジェンス

Before engaging seriously with importers, distributors, or commercial partners, we recommend a structured due diligence review of the Indian market — particularly important for regulated categories such as alcohol, food, and beverages, where requirements can vary significantly by state.

Trademark Availability Review

商標登録可能性の確認

Checking whether the proposed brand name is available and identifying risks before it is discussed with local partners.

現地パートナーとの協議に先立ち、対象ブランド名の登録可能性を確認し、潜在的なリスクを特定します。

Regulatory Route & Licensing

規制上の取得経路とライセンス

Identifying the applicable licensing pathway and requirements for the relevant product category, including licensed importer requirements.

対象製品カテゴリーに適用される許認可の取得経路および要件(ライセンス輸入業者要件を含む)を特定します。

State-wise Regulatory Considerations

州ごとの規制上の考慮事項

Reviewing how requirements vary by state, particularly relevant for alcohol and other categories where rules differ by the state of first introduction.

州ごとに規制内容が異なる点を確認します。特に酒類など、最初に導入する州によってルールが異なる規制対象カテゴリーにおいて重要です。

Label & Documentation Review

ラベルおよび書類の確認

Reviewing label registration, import documentation, and related compliance requirements for the Indian market.

インド市場向けのラベル登録、輸入関連書類、その他のコンプライアンス要件を確認します。

Importer & Distributor Profiling

輸入業者・販売代理店プロファイリング

A practical note on suitable importer or distributor profiles, along with pricing structure and route-to-market considerations.

適切な輸入業者・販売代理店のプロファイルに関する実務的な所見に加え、価格戦略や市場参入ルートについてもご案内します。

Market Positioning & Introductions

市場ポジショニングおよび紹介

Practical guidance on positioning the product for Indian buyers, along with introductions to relevant contacts such as importers, distributors, hotels, and premium retail or dining channels where appropriate.

インドの購買層に向けた製品ポジショニングに関する実務的な助言に加え、必要に応じて輸入業者、販売代理店、ホテル、プレミアム小売・飲食チャネルなど関連する連絡先のご紹介も行います。

Additional India Support

その他のインド関連サポート
  • India market entry due diligence (trademark, regulatory, and commercial review)
  • Importer, distributor, and agency agreements
  • Commercial and licensing contracts
  • FSSAI and food-label compliance
  • Alcohol label and state-regulatory coordination
  • Corporate and market-entry documentation
  • India-based legal support and local coordination

These services may be engaged separately depending on the company's India plans.

Shauree Gaikwad | Founder & Advocate at Wayver (Pink Shirt Photo)

Support for Japanese Attorneys
and IP Firms

日本の弁護士・知財事務所へのサポート

Wayver acts as Indian counsel for Japanese patent attorneys, trademark firms, corporate lawyers, and other foreign advisers whose clients require legal support in India.

We assist with:

  • Indian trademark availability searches
  • Filing estimates and document requirements
  • National trademark applications
  • Madrid Protocol provisional refusals
  • Examination reports and hearings
  • Oppositions, renewals, assignments, and recordals
  • English-language reporting and deadline updates

We can work directly with the Japanese attorney or coordinate with the client where requested.

How the Trademark Filing Process Works

商標出願手続きの流れ
01

Initial Information

初期情報のご提供

The client shares the proposed mark, owner details, relevant products or services, and any existing Japanese or international registrations.

02

Search and Filing Advice

調査および出願アドバイス

Wayver reviews the mark, identifies the appropriate classes, confirms the recommended filing route, and provides the estimated costs and document requirements.

03

Filing and Prosecution

出願および審査対応

We prepare and file the application and manage the Indian proceedings through examination and registration.

Protecting Your Brand in India

インドでのブランド保護

Japanese businesses should consider protecting their trademarks before exhibitions, distributor discussions, product listings, or public announcements concerning entry into India.

Wayver is a New Delhi-based law firm advising businesses on intellectual property, contracts, regulatory compliance, and market entry.

Japan Desk Contact
ジャパンデスクのお問い合わせ先

Shauree Gaikwad

Founder and Advocate  / 
New Delhi, India
日本語でのお問い合わせも歓迎します。
Japanese-language enquiries are welcome.