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Trademark Class 25: Clothing, Footwear & Headgear
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Overview of Class 25
Trademark Class 25 is the primary international classification for clothing, footwear, and headgear. It includes finished apparel for men, women, and children, ranging from everyday shirts and pants to specialized sportswear, ethnic outfits, and various types of shoes and hats.
Registering in Class 25 is the most fundamental step for any brand in the fashion and apparel industry. This "high-traffic" class protects the brand identity of everything we wear—from T-shirts and jeans to formal suits, sarees, sneakers, and caps. In India’s massive garment market, a Class 25 trademark is your primary weapon against counterfeiters and copycat labels, ensuring that your unique brand aesthetic and reputation for quality are legally shielded across both offline and online marketplaces.
What is included?
- •Apparel: Shirts, T-shirts, trousers, dresses, sarees, and suits
- •Footwear: Sneakers, sandals, formal shoes, boots, and slippers
- •Headgear: Hats, caps, turbans, beanies, and headbands
- •Activewear: Gym jerseys, yoga pants, tracksuits, and sports shoes
- •Ethnic Wear: Kurtas, lehengas, dhotis, saris, and salwar kameez
- •Innerwear: Undergarments, nightwear, and thermal wear
- •Accessories: Belts (clothing), scarves, shawls, and gloves
- •Outerwear: Coats, jackets, blazers, and raincoats
What is excluded?
- •Textile fabrics and rolls of cloth (Class 24)
- •Yarns and threads for textile use (Class 23)
- •Leather handbags, wallets, and travel bags (Class 18)
- •Protective clothing like firefighter suits or medical scrubs (Class 9/10)
- •Protective helmets for sports or industry (Class 9)
- •Jewelry and fashion accessories made of precious metal (Class 14)
- •Costumes for masquerades and novelty items (Class 28)
The Visual Identity of Fashion
In the fashion world, the label is often more valuable than the fabric. Class 25 is where global icons like Nike, Adidas, and Zara, alongside Indian giants like FabIndia and Biba, secure their dominance.
The Finished Goods Rule: Class 25 only covers completed garments. If you sell fabric by the yard or rolls of silk, you must file in Class 24. If you sell the finished shirt, you file in Class 25. Most successful apparel companies file in both to protect their entire supply chain.
Combating Counterfeits: India is a major hub for apparel manufacturing, which also makes it a target for "copycat" brands. A registered Class 25 trademark provides the legal standing for police raids and e-commerce takedowns, preventing others from riding on your brand’s hard-earned success.
Major Categories in Class 25
| Category | Specific Examples |
|---|---|
| Daily Wear | Shirts, T-shirts, Trousers, Jeans, Skirts, Dresses |
| Indian Ethnic Wear | Sarees, Kurtas, Lehengas, Dhotis, Salwar kameez |
| Footwear | Sneakers, Formal shoes, Sandals, Boots, Flip-flops |
| Headgear | Caps, Hats, Turbans, Beanies, Visors |
| Active & Sportswear | Tracksuits, Yoga pants, Football boots, Gym vests |
| Outerwear | Jackets, Overcoats, Blazers, Sweaters, Raincoats |
| Underclothing | Briefs, Bras, Nightwear, Vests, Thermal wear |
Alphabetical List of Class 25 Items
- Albs / Aprons [clothing]
- Ascots / Babies’ pants [clothing]
- Bandanas [neckerchiefs]
- Bath sandals / slippers / robes
- Bathing caps / trunks / drawers
- Bathing suits / swimsuits
- Beach clothes / shoes
- Belts [clothing] / Berets
- Bibs, not of paper / Boas
- Bodices [lingerie] / Boot uppers
- Boots* / Boots for sports*
- Boxer shorts / Brassieres
- Breeches for wear / Camisoles
- Cap peaks / Caps [headwear]
- Chasubles / Clothing*
- Clothing for gymnastics
- Clothing of imitation leather
- Clothing of leather
- Coats / Collars [clothing]
- Combinations [clothing] / Corselets
- Corsets [underclothing]
- Cuffs / Wristbands [clothing]
- Cyclists’ clothing
- Detachable collars / Dress shields
- Dresses / Dressing gowns
- Ear muffs [clothing]
- Esparto shoes or sandals
- Fishing vests
- Fittings of metal for footwear
- Football shoes / football boots
- Footmuffs, not electrically heated
- Footwear* / Footwear uppers
- Fur stoles / Furs [clothing]
- Gabardines [clothing]
- Galoshes / Goloshes / Garters
- Girdles / Gloves [clothing]
- Gymnastic shoes / Half-boots
- Hat frames [skeletons] / Hats
- Headbands / Headgear for wear
- Heelpieces for stockings / footwear
- Heels / Hoods [clothing] / Hosiery
- Jackets [clothing] / Jerseys [clothing]
- Jumper dresses / Pinafore dresses
- Knickers / Panties / Knitwear
- Lace boots / Layettes [clothing]
- Leggings [leg warmers] / trousers
- Liveries / Maniples / Mantillas
- Masquerade costumes
- Mitres [hats] / Miters [hats]
- Mittens / Money belts [clothing]
- Motorists’ clothing / Muffs
- Neck scarves / Mufflers / Neckties
- Non-slipping devices for footwear
- Outerclothing / Overalls / Smocks
- Overcoats / Topcoats
- Paper clothing / Paper hats
- Parkas / Pelerines / Pelisses
- Petticoats / Pocket squares
- Pockets for clothing / Ponchos
- Pyjamas / Pajamas (Am.)
- Ready-made clothing / linings
- Sandals / Saris / Sarongs
- Sashes for wear / Scarves / Shawls
- Shirt fronts / yokes / Shirts
- Shoes* / Short-sleeve shirts
- Shower caps / Ski boots / gloves
- Skirts / Skorts / Skull caps
- Sleep masks / Slippers
- Slips [undergarments]
- Sock suspenders / Socks
- Inner soles / Soles for footwear
- Spats / Gaiters / Sports jerseys
- Sports shoes* / Sports singlets
- Stocking suspenders / Stockings
- Studs for football boots
- Stuff jackets [clothing]
- Suits / Suspenders / Braces
- Sweat-absorbent stockings / underwear
- Sweaters / Jumpers / Pullovers
- Teddies [undergarments]
- Tee-shirts / Tights / Togas
- Tips for footwear / Top hats
- Trouser straps / Trousers / Pants
- Turbans / Underpants / Underwear
- Uniforms / Valenki [felted boots]
- Veils [clothing] / Visors [headwear]
- Waistcoats / Vests / Waterproof clothing
- Welts for footwear
- Wet suits for water-skiing
- Wimples / Wooden shoes
Registration & Objection Handling
- 1. Functional Search: Conduct a thorough search in Class 25 and Class 35 (Retail) to avoid legal conflicts with fashion boutiques.
- 2. Descriptiveness: Avoid generic names like "COTTON T-SHIRT" or "SOFT SHOES". The Registrar will reject these under Section 9.
- 3. Multi-Class Strategy: If you sell clothes (Class 25) and also handbags (Class 18), you must file in both classes.
- 4. Detailed Goods List: Specify the type of garment (e.g., "Ready-made garments of silk") rather than just a broad term like "Textiles".
- 5. Prior Use: If your brand has been sold in local markets for years, providing "Invoices" and "Advertisements" can significantly strengthen your application.
Legal Professional Insights
The Retail Crossover: Most clothing brands also need a registration in Class 35 (Retail and E-commerce Services). While Class 25 protects the product itself, Class 35 protects the name of the store or website where you sell it.
Costume Exclusion: Masquerade costumes and novelty items often cross into Class 28. If your brand specializes in party-wear or carnival outfits, you should consider filing in both Class 25 and Class 28.
Enforcement in Online Markets: For fashion brands, protecting your trademark on Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra is vital. A registered Class 25 certificate is mandatory for Brand Registry and automated protection against fakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is covered under Trademark Class 25?
Class 25 covers clothing, footwear, and headgear for men, women, and children. This includes everything from shirts and shoes to hats and ethnic wear.
Are fabrics and rolls of cloth included?
No, raw textile fabrics and materials belong to Class 24. Class 25 is strictly for finished, ready-to-wear garments.
Does Class 25 include handbags and wallets?
No, leather handbags, wallets, and travel bags fall under Class 18.
Are sneakers and sports shoes Class 25?
Yes, all types of footwear including sneakers, formal shoes, sandals, and sports boots are in Class 25.
Can I trademark "PURE SILK SAREE"?
No, this is a descriptive name. You must use a distinctive brand name that does not merely describe the material or type of clothing.
Are sarees and kurtas included?
Yes, Indian ethnic wear like sarees, kurtas, dhotis, and lehengas are specifically covered under Class 25.
What is the government fee for Class 25 registration?
The e-filing fee is ₹9,000 for large companies and ₹4,500 for individuals, startups, or MSMEs.
How long does the registration take?
It typically takes 12 to 24 months, depending on the examination report and any public oppositions.
Are hats and turbans Class 25?
Yes, all types of headgear including hats, caps, turbans, and beanies are in this class.
Do belts and scarves belong here?
Yes, clothing accessories like belts, scarves, shawls, and neckties are Class 25 items.
Can I register in both Class 24 and Class 25?
Yes, companies that sell both fabric rolls and finished clothes often file a multi-class application.
Are baby clothes included?
Yes, clothing for infants and children, including layettes and baby pants, are part of Class 25.
Are uniforms included?
Yes, school uniforms, corporate uniforms, and sports jerseys are categorized under Class 25.
What happens if my trademark is "Objected"?
You must file a written response within 30 days explaining why your mark is distinct and legally eligible for registration.
Is registration valid forever?
No, it is valid for 10 years, but it can be renewed indefinitely every 10 years.
Are raincoats and waterproof clothing included?
Yes, waterproof clothing, raincoats, and parkas are specifically listed in Class 25.
Are gloves Class 25?
Everyday clothing gloves are Class 25. However, protective or medical gloves fall under Class 9 or 10.
Are bathing suits and swimwear included?
Yes, swimsuits, bathing trunks, and beach clothes are categorized under Class 25.
Why is a search important for fashion brands?
The fashion market is extremely crowded. A search prevents you from using a name that is already trademarked by an established brand, avoiding expensive legal battles.
Are paper hats Class 25?
Yes, paper hats intended for use as clothing are listed in Class 25, though novelty party hats sometimes fall under Class 28.
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