Chapter XIII - Miscellaneous
Section 148
Section 148: Public inspection and certified copies
The listed Registry records are open to inspection subject to prescribed conditions and the section 49 confidentiality exception.
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Need advice on Section 148?
This article is for general information. Refer to the Trade Marks Act, 1999 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (4) of section 49,—
(a) the register and any document upon which any entry in the register is based;
(b) every notice of opposition to the registration of a trade mark application for rectification before the Registrar, counter-statement thereto, and any affidavit or document filed by the parties in any proceedings before the Registrar;
(c) all regulations deposited under section 63 or section 74, and all applications under section 66 or section 77 for varying such regulations;
(d) the indexes mentioned in section 147; and
(e) such other documents as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be open to public inspection at the Trade Marks Registry:
Provided that when such register is maintained wholly or partly on computer, the inspection of such register under this section shall be made by inspecting the computer printout of the relevant entry in the register so maintained on computer.
(2) Any person may, on an application to the Registrar and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, obtain a certified copy of any entry in the register or any document referred to in sub-section (1).
Rule and business relevance
The categories include the register, proceedings documents, collective and certification regulations and indexes. A person may apply and pay the prescribed fee for a certified copy. Computer-maintained register inspection follows the stated printout provision.
Limits and related provisions
Do not promise unrestricted disclosure of every commercially sensitive document. Section 49(4) is expressly preserved, and access conditions and certified-copy fees remain relevant.
Hypothetical business example
Hypothetical example: A business requests inspection of filed mark regulations and obtains a certified copy needed for a dispute, while respecting protected registered-user information.
Practical decision flow
Identify the listed record and any confidentiality exception.
Follow the prescribed inspection conditions.
Request and pay for a certified copy if needed.
Applying the Act and current procedure
Read the statutory rule together with the applicable Trade Marks Rules, current Registry directions and the facts of the particular mark. Forms, fees and procedural requirements should be checked against their current official source before filing.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify the listed record and any confidentiality exception.
- Follow the prescribed inspection conditions.
- Request and pay for a certified copy if needed.
Avoid
- Do not promise unrestricted disclosure of every commercially sensitive document. Section 49(4) is expressly preserved, and access conditions and certified-copy fees remain relevant.
Glossary
- Public inspection
- Access to listed records subject to statutory exceptions and conditions.
- Certified copy
- An authenticated copy available through the application and fee process.
Frequently asked questions
Are collective and certification regulations included?
Yes, along with the specified variation applications.
Is every record unconditionally public?
No. The provision preserves section 49(4) and prescribed conditions.
Can any person apply for a certified copy?
Subsection (2) permits it with an application and prescribed fee.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026