Indian Patent Office issues warning against unauthorized logo use

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has issued a notice prohibiting the unauthorized use of the Indian Patent Office (IPO) official logo. The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) reported that various individuals, corporate bodies, legal practitioners, and online legal tech platforms have been misusing the logo on websites, social media, marketing materials, and digital advertisements.

Authorities stated that such misuse creates a false impression of official government endorsement or affiliation, which may mislead the public and stakeholders. The notice clarifies that no entity may display, replicate, or adapt the IPO logo or DPIIT insignia in any medium without prior formal written approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Continued unauthorized use is considered an offense under several laws, including the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, the Trade Marks Act, 1999, the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Information Technology Act. Entities currently using the logo or deceptively similar designs have been instructed to remove them immediately.