Trademark Registration for Cooperative Societies in India (2026)

📅 May 2, 2026 • 🕐 9 min read • ✍ IP India Research Desk

✅ Quick Answer: Cooperative societies — milk cooperatives, weavers' cooperatives, credit cooperatives, and agricultural cooperatives — can register trademarks in India. The cooperative society files as the applicant using its registration certificate and PAN. Government fee: typically ₹4,500 (small cooperatives qualifying as MSME) or ₹9,000.

Can a Cooperative Society Trademark Its Name?

Yes — a cooperative society registered under the Cooperative Societies Act (state or multi-state) is a legally recognised entity that can own and register trademarks in India. The society files Form TM-A in its registered name, using the society's PAN and registration certificate as business documentation.

Famous Indian Cooperative Trademarks

India's most successful cooperative trademarks: (1) Amul — Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). 'Amul' is registered in multiple classes. (2) Lijjat Papad — Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad. Registered trademark in Class 30 for snack products. (3) Iffco Kisan — Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative. (4) Various state milk federation brands (Nandini, Saras, Milma, etc.) — all registered trademarks.

Classes for Cooperative Societies

Cooperative Type	Primary Class
Milk / dairy cooperative	Class 29
Weavers' / handloom cooperative	Class 24/25
Fishermen's cooperative	Class 29
Agricultural producers' cooperative	Class 29/30/31
Credit cooperative / bank	Class 36
Consumer cooperative (retail)	Class 35
Housing cooperative	Class 36/37

Collective Mark as an Alternative

For cooperatives where multiple member entities use the brand (rather than the cooperative selling directly), a Collective Mark (Section 61–68 of the Trade Marks Act) may be more appropriate than an individual trademark — allowing all members to use the mark under the cooperative's regulations while the cooperative owns the mark centrally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a milk cooperative society trademark its brand?

Yes — dairy cooperatives like Amul (GCMMF) have registered trademarks. Any milk cooperative can register its brand in Class 29 (processed dairy products) using the cooperative's registration certificate and PAN.

What documents does a cooperative need to file a trademark?

Cooperative registration certificate, PAN of the cooperative, resolution from the Board of Directors authorising trademark filing, logo file (if applicable), and Power of Attorney if using an agent.

Is the fee different for cooperative societies?

Cooperative societies that are registered as MSMEs under Udyam qualify for the ₹4,500 concessional fee. Large cooperatives that don't qualify as MSMEs pay ₹9,000 per class.

Can individual cooperative members use the cooperative's trademark?

Only if they are registered as Registered Users under Form TM-U, or if the trademark is filed as a Collective Mark allowing members to use it per the collective's regulations.

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