In the industrial and manufacturing sector—particularly for rubber, plastic, and packaging material businesses—securing a trademark under Class 17 is just the beginning. To retain your legal protection and exclusive rights, it’s essential to understand the trademark renewal process.

This blog provides a complete guide to renewing a trademark under Class 17 in India, including the renewal timeline, required documentation, step-by-step process, fees involved, and consequences of missing deadlines. Whether you are a manufacturer of plastic films or a supplier of rubber gaskets, this renewal guide ensures your brand stays legally protected and active in the market.

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📌 What is Trademark Class 17?

Before diving into the renewal process, it’s important to understand what Class 17 includes.

✅ Class 17 Covers:

“Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and goods made from these materials and not included in other classes; plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, not of metal.”

🧾 Common Products in Class 17:

• Plastic sheets and rolls
• Rubber insulation
• Foam used in packaging
• Rubber seals, washers, and gaskets
• Non-metallic flexible pipes and tubes
• Industrial films and adhesives

If your business deals with raw materials or intermediate goods made of rubber or plastic, your trademark likely falls under Class 17.

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🛡️ Why Is Trademark Renewal Important?

Once your Class 17 trademark is registered, it is valid for 10 years from the date of application. After that, you must renew the trademark to maintain your legal protection.

🔍 Benefits of Timely Renewal:

• Maintain exclusive rights to use your mark
• Prevent others from registering similar marks
• Avoid unnecessary legal disputes
• Keep your brand secure for product expansion or licensing
• Retain customer trust and brand recognition

Failing to renew means losing all the protections and rights granted by trademark registration.

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🗓️ Timeline for Trademark Renewal in India

The timeline for trademark renewal is standardized under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

Action	Timeline
Initial Registration Validity	10 years
Renewal Window Begins	1 year before expiry
Renewal Deadline	On or before expiry date
Grace Period (with late fee)	6 months after expiry
Beyond Grace Period	Trademark removed from registry

✅ Renewal Window:

You can file for renewal anytime within 12 months before the expiry date.

⚠️ Missed Deadline?

If you fail to renew before expiry:

• You still have a 6-month grace period (with a late fee).
• After this, your trademark is removed from the Register of Trademarks.
• However, you can still restore it within 1 year from the expiry date by filing a restoration application.

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📝 Documents Required for Class 17 Trademark Renewal

Here is a list of documents needed to renew your trademark in Class 17:

✅ Mandatory Documents:

1. Trademark Registration Certificate
2. Power of Attorney (if applying through an agent)
3. TM-R Form (Trademark Renewal Application Form)
4. Applicant’s Address and ID Proof
5. GST or MSME Certificate (if applicable for discounts)

If you’re a company:

• Board Resolution authorizing renewal
• Certificate of Incorporation

Make sure the trademark being renewed is still in use or intended for use. If not, your renewal may face objection or cancellation.

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🧾 Fees for Trademark Renewal

🏢 Standard Government Fees:

Type of Applicant	Renewal Fee per Class
Individual/Startup/MSME	₹4,500
Company/LLP/Other Entity	₹9,000

⏳ Late Renewal (After Expiry but Within 6 Months):

• Late Fee: ₹900 per month of delay
• Can be filed online or offline

🔁 Restoration (If Renewal Not Done Within 6 Months):

• Restoration Fee: ₹9,000 + ₹4,500/₹9,000 (renewal fee)

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🧭 Step-by-Step Process for Trademark Renewal (Class 17)

✅ Step 1: Check Trademark Status

• Visit the IP India Trademark Search Portal
• Enter your trademark number or brand name to verify its current status and class

✅ Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

• Collect the documents listed above
• Ensure that the trademark is in active use

✅ Step 3: File Form TM-R

• TM-R is the official form for renewal of a trademark in India
• You can file this online on the IP India portal or offline by submitting it to the appropriate Trademark Office

✅ Step 4: Pay the Fees

• Choose your category (individual/startup/company)
• Pay the applicable renewal fees through online banking or challan

✅ Step 5: Acknowledgement Receipt

• After submission, you will receive an acknowledgement receipt
• The renewal request is then examined by the Trademark Registry

✅ Step 6: Renewal Confirmation

• If everything is in order, the Registry issues a renewal confirmation
• Your trademark is renewed for another 10 years

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💡 Tips to Ensure Timely Renewal

1. Set a Calendar Reminder
   Set an alert 12 months before your trademark expiry.
2. Hire a Professional
   Trademark consultants can track your trademark and handle filing professionally.
3. Monitor Trademark Watch Notices
   You can subscribe to trademark monitoring to get alerts on similar filings or deadlines.
4. Renew All Classes
   If your trademark is registered in multiple classes (e.g., Class 17 & Class 20), renew each class separately.

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❌ What Happens If You Don’t Renew?

1. Loss of Rights
   You will lose exclusive rights to your brand under Class 17.
2. Open for Misuse
   Other companies can apply for the same or similar trademark.
3. Legal Disputes
   If you continue using an expired trademark, you could face legal actions.
4. Brand Damage
   Your customers may lose trust if your brand is no longer protected.
5. Restoration is Costly
   Filing restoration after expiry is expensive and uncertain.

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📦 Trademark Renewal Example for Class 17

Case Study: “ThermoPack India Pvt Ltd”

• Business: Manufactures foam-based packaging rolls and insulating wraps
• Trademark Class: 17
• Original Registration: 2014
• Renewal Due: 2024

🔁 Their Process:

• Hired a trademark consultant
• Filed TM-R form online in October 2023
• Paid ₹9,000 as company renewal fee
• Trademark renewed without any objection

Result: They continued operations and exports under a secure and legally protected brand.

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🤝 Why Choose VMK Professionals for Trademark Renewal?

At VMK Professionals, we understand that missing a renewal deadline can damage years of brand-building efforts. Our expert legal and compliance team handles:

✅ Trademark renewal tracking
✅ Form TM-R filing for Class 17
✅ Restoration assistance (if needed)
✅ Trademark portfolio management for multi-class registrations
✅ Legal representation in case of objections or oppositions

We serve PAN India and ensure a 100% error-free and on-time filing process.

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Conclusion

Trademark Class 17 is vital for companies dealing in rubber, plastic, foam, and insulating materials. But registering is just the first step—to continue enjoying full legal protection, you must renew your trademark every 10 years.

Understanding the renewal timeline, process, documents, and fees ensures you don’t lose your hard-earned brand rights. If you miss the renewal window, restoration is possible—but expensive and risky.

Whether you’re a startup or an industrial manufacturer, timely renewal keeps your brand safe and secure.

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📞 Need Help with Trademark Renewal?

Let the experts handle it for you.

Contact VMK Professionals today for end-to-end trademark renewal services.

Understanding the right trademark class is the foundation of a strong intellectual property strategy in India. For businesses involved in rubber, plastic, packaging, insulating, and related materials, Trademark Class 17 is commonly used. However, due to the nature of their products, many businesses find themselves confused between Class 17 and other similar classes like Class 16, 19, or 20.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down:

• What Class 17 includes
• Other similar classes and what they cover
• Key differences between Class 17 and each
• How to choose the right class for your business
• Practical examples for better understanding

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🔍 What Is Trademark Class 17?

Trademark Class 17 is one of the 45 classes under the Nice Classification system, which India follows for categorizing goods and services in trademark filings.

✅ Class 17 Covers:

“Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and goods made from these materials not included in other classes; plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, not of metal.”

✅ Examples of Goods Under Class 17:

• Plastic films for industrial use
• Foam for packaging
• Rubber seals and insulation
• Gaskets, washers, O-rings
• Non-metallic flexible pipes and tubing
• Adhesive plastic strips for industrial packaging
• Thermoplastic sheeting and barriers

⚠️ Note: Class 17 applies only to raw materials or intermediate goods, not finished consumer items.

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📋 Similar Trademark Classes to Class 17

Here are the most commonly confused classes with Class 17:

Class	Description
Class 16	Paper goods, stationery, and finished packaging products
Class 19	Non-metallic building materials (e.g., pipes, panels)
Class 20	Furniture, plastic items used as finished products
Class 1	Chemicals used in industry including for plastic or rubber processing
Class 6	Metal pipes, containers, industrial metal parts

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🔄 Class 17 vs Class 16

✅ Class 17 (Raw Packaging Materials)

• Plastic sheets used for wrapping pallets
• Stretch film, shrink wrap
• Foam padding used in industrial packaging
• Bubble wrap used during transport
• Rubber insulation and thermal wrap

✅ Class 16 (Finished Packaging & Stationery)

• Printed cartons, cardboard boxes
• Paper bags
• Adhesive tapes for home/office
• Envelopes and folders
• Labels and packaging used for final consumer presentation

🧠 Key Difference:

Class 17 = Raw, industrial packaging.
Class 16 = Consumer-facing or printed packaging.

Example:
A manufacturer of plastic bubble wrap rolls for shipping = Class 17
A brand selling gift-wrapping paper or printed boxes = Class 16

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🧱 Class 17 vs Class 19

✅ Class 17

• Flexible non-metallic pipes for fluid handling
• Rubber gaskets and insulation
• Rubberized seals for industrial tanks

✅ Class 19

• Rigid non-metallic pipes for buildings
• Concrete panels, ceramic wall cladding
• PVC construction sheets, floorboards
• Pre-fabricated insulation walls or sheets

🧠 Key Difference:

Class 17 = Flexible industrial components
Class 19 = Rigid construction/building materials

Example:
Plastic tubing used in food processing = Class 17
PVC pipes used in house plumbing = Class 19

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🪑 Class 17 vs Class 20

✅ Class 17

• Extruded plastics used for padding or sealing
• Foam inserts for transport or shock absorption
• Rubber used as raw material in furniture production

✅ Class 20

• Plastic furniture
• Ready-made packaging containers
• Foam pillows and cushions (final consumer product)
• Plastic bins and organizers

🧠 Key Difference:

Class 17 = Intermediate/industrial materials
Class 20 = Finished plastic or foam products for end users

Example:
Industrial foam rolls for packaging = Class 17
Memory foam cushions for retail = Class 20

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⚗️ Class 17 vs Class 1

✅ Class 17

• Rubber sheets, plastic barriers
• Polymers in physical form (sheets, films)

✅ Class 1

• Chemical substances used to manufacture rubber/plastic
• Polymer resins in liquid or granule form
• Bonding agents, stabilizers, chemical additives

🧠 Key Difference:

Class 17 = Physical industrial materials
Class 1 = Chemical components used to create them

Example:
A roll of plastic insulation = Class 17
Chemical used to make that plastic = Class 1

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🔩 Class 17 vs Class 6

✅ Class 17

• Non-metallic seals, pipes, valves, and gaskets
• Insulating rubber parts

✅ Class 6

• Metal containers, pipes, fittings
• Industrial fasteners and steel-based products
• Valves, tubes, or packaging made of metal

🧠 Key Difference:

Class 17 = Rubber/plastic products
Class 6 = Metal industrial components

Example:
Plastic pipe fitting for agriculture = Class 17
Steel pipe for plumbing = Class 6

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📝 How to Choose the Right Trademark Class

Choosing the right class depends on:

1. End Use of the Product

Are you selling packaging as a material or as a finished product?

• Rolls of foam = Class 17
• Pre-printed packaging boxes = Class 16
• Furniture made of foam = Class 20

2. Industry Category

• Packaging & shipping = Class 17
• Home/office products = Class 16 or 20
• Construction = Class 19
• Chemical supply = Class 1

3. Target Customer

Are you selling to manufacturers or end users?
Industrial clients often require Class 17 protections.

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🧠 Practical Examples for Better Understanding

Product	Trademark Class
Bubble wrap rolls	Class 17
Corrugated cardboard boxes	Class 16
PVC pipes for construction	Class 19
Ready-made plastic chairs	Class 20
Rubber insulation for HVAC systems	Class 17
Synthetic foam pillows	Class 20
Polymers used in plastic molding	Class 1
Metal drums or containers	Class 6

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🚫 Risks of Choosing the Wrong Class

1. Trademark Rejection
   Filing in the wrong class can lead to application rejection or delay.
2. No Legal Protection
   Even if you own the trademark, it won’t protect you from infringement if filed under the wrong class.
3. Limited Business Expansion
   You may not be able to sell or license your brand for intended use later.
4. Waste of Money and Time
   You might have to refile and pay again.

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✅ How to File Trademark Under Class 17 in India

1. Do a Trademark Search
   Check for existing similar trademarks in Class 17 on IP India Public Search Portal.
2. Prepare Documents

• Brand name
• Logo (if applicable)
• Applicant identity proof
• Business incorporation certificate
• MSME certificate (for lower fee)

3. File Online at IP India
   Or use a trademark consultant for error-free filing.
4. Pay Applicable Fee

• ₹4,500 (for individual/startup/MSME)
• ₹9,000 (for company)

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💼 Why Trademark Class 17 Is Essential for Certain Businesses

If you’re in the business of:

• Packaging supply
• Rubber and plastic materials
• Industrial foam
• Insulation and thermal wraps
• Non-metallic tubing or components

Then Class 17 is the most suitable class for trademark protection.

It ensures that your brand identity stays safe from misuse, helps you grow in e-commerce, and gives legal rights in case of disputes.

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🤝 How VMK Professionals Can Help

At VMK Professionals, we help businesses like yours:

• Identify the correct trademark class(es)
• Conduct detailed name availability checks
• File your application properly in Class 17 or related classes
• Respond to examination reports and objections
• Track your trademark and handle renewal

We ensure 100% accurate classification and fast online service, Pan India.

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🏁 Final Thoughts

Trademark Class 17 is vital for businesses dealing in rubber, plastic, insulating, or packaging materials. But choosing the right trademark class requires knowledge of overlapping and similar classes like 16, 19, or 20.

To avoid future legal or financial risks, make sure you:

• Understand the exact nature of your product
• Choose the correct class (or multiple classes if needed)
• Register your brand under expert guidance

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📞 Ready to Secure Your Brand in Class 17?

Let VMK Professionals guide you with expert trademark filing support.

Contact us today to avoid mistakes and protect your brand with confidence.