Trademark Class 32 – Soft Drinks & Non-Alcoholic Beverages in India

Trademark Class 32 covers all non-alcoholic beverages including soft drinks, carbonated beverages, fruit juices, energy drinks, sports drinks, mineral water, aerated water, soda water, syrups for making beverages, and non-alcoholic beer. Any brand operating in these product categories must register under Class 32 to protect their identity in India.

While trademark registration is not legally mandatory in India, it is strongly recommended. Without registration, you cannot legally prevent others from copying your brand name, logo or packaging. Registration also gives you the right to sue for infringement and claim damages. For soft drink and beverage brands competing in retail and online markets, Class 32 registration is essentially a business necessity.

Yes, absolutely. Fruit juices — whether fresh, packaged, cold-pressed, tetra pack or concentrated — are explicitly covered under Trademark Class 32. If you are launching or already operating a juice brand in India, you should file your trademark application under Class 32 immediately to secure your brand name and logo.

Yes. Energy drinks, caffeinated beverages, pre-workout drinks, taurine-based drinks, and all functional non-alcoholic energy beverages fall under Trademark Class 32. India's fast-growing energy drink segment makes early trademark registration especially critical to avoid conflicts with established brands.

No, FSSAI registration is not a prerequisite for trademark registration. You can file your Class 32 trademark application even before you receive your FSSAI food business licence. In fact, it is advisable to apply for the trademark first, as the trademark process takes 12–18 months and you can use the ™ symbol from Day 1 of filing. FSSAI and trademark are separate regulatory processes managed by different authorities.

Yes, you can and often should file in multiple classes. For example, a beverage brand may file in Class 32 (for the drinks), Class 30 (for food flavouring or syrups), and Class 43 (for café or restaurant services). Each class requires a separate application and government fee. Our attorneys can help you identify the right combination of classes based on your business model.

The complete trademark registration process in India typically takes 12 to 18 months, depending on whether any objections or oppositions are raised. However, from the date of filing, you receive an official acknowledgement number and are immediately entitled to use the ™ symbol on your beverage products. The ® symbol can only be used after the final registration certificate is issued.

If your brand is registered under Class 32, you have the legal right to send a cease-and-desist notice, file a complaint with the Trade Marks Registry, and initiate civil or criminal proceedings against the infringer. Remedies include injunctions, damages, and account of profits. Without registration, your legal options are significantly limited and expensive to pursue. This is why early trademark registration is the best brand protection strategy for beverage companies.

You can technically sell on Amazon without a trademark, but you will be ineligible for Amazon Brand Registry, which is essential for protecting your product listings, activating A+ Content, and preventing counterfeit sellers. Amazon Brand Registry requires an active registered trademark. For beverage brands selling on Amazon India, Class 32 trademark registration is practically mandatory to protect your listings and business reputation.

The government filing fee for trademark registration under Class 32 in India is ₹4,500 for individuals, sole proprietors, MSMEs, and DPIIT-recognised startups (50% discounted fee). For companies, LLPs, and other entities, the fee is ₹9,000 per class. These fees are payable online to the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) at the time of filing.