TikTok Might Make a Comeback in India Quickly as ‘TickTock’, ByteDance Trademark Software Suggests

By On Jul 20, 2021

TikTok could make a comeback in India once its parent company ByteDance registered a trademark for the short video app with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. It was one of 59 Chinese apps that the government banned last June. Shortly after the ban, the TikTok app was pulled from the app stores and was no longer accessible in Indian networks. However, platforms like Facebook’s Instagram incorporated a similar experience originally available on TikTok to fill the void for Indian users.

ByteDance filed the trademark application for TikTok with the title “TickTock” on July 6th. The filing, first reported on Twitter by tipster Mukul Sharma and independently verified by Gadgets 360, was filed under Class 42 of the fourth list of trademark rules. 2002, which stands for “scientific and technological services and related research and design”; industrial analysis and research services; Design and development of computer hardware and software. “

TikTok trademark application has been filed with the General Controller of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks

ByteDance did not respond to a request for comment at the time of writing. This report will be updated as soon as we hear something.

According to media reports, ByteDance has held talks with the government to bring TikTok back into the country. The Chinese company also assured officials that it will work to comply with the new IT rules.

ByteDance named its Chief Nodal and Grievance Officer in India in 2019. This is one of the most important requirements of the IT rules for “significant” social media intermediaries with over 50 lakh users in the country.

Despite the efforts of the Node and Complaints Officer, TikTok, owned by ByteDance, was faced with the nationwide ban last year because it threatened the country’s “sovereignty and integrity” amid border tensions with China.

Months after the ban, ByteDance reportedly had talks with Reliance Industries about an investment in TikTok to revive its business in the country. However, this discussion did not bring about any changes.

At the time of the ban, TikTok had around 20 million users in the country. These users were attracted to platforms such as Instagram and YouTube through their integrated offerings, reels and shorts. Some Indian TikTok alternatives also appeared in the market to take advantage of the ban and capitalize on the demand for short video apps amid the national lockdown.

Earlier this month, PUBG Mobile, which was also part of last year’s Chinese serial app ban, returned to India as Battlegrounds Mobile India. China’s e-commerce platform Shein, which was banned last year, is also trying to return to the country next week via Amazon’s Prime Day sale.