Trademark Class 17 vs Other Classes: Which One Fits Your Material-Based Brand?
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
🔍 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.
📋 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 |
🔄 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
🧱 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
🪑 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
⚗️ 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
🔩 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
📝 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.
🧠 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 |
🚫 Risks of Choosing the Wrong Class
- Trademark Rejection
Filing in the wrong class can lead to application rejection or delay. - No Legal Protection
Even if you own the trademark, it won’t protect you from infringement if filed under the wrong class. - Limited Business Expansion
You may not be able to sell or license your brand for intended use later. - Waste of Money and Time
You might have to refile and pay again.
✅ How to File Trademark Under Class 17 in India
- Do a Trademark Search
Check for existing similar trademarks in Class 17 on IP India Public Search Portal. - Prepare Documents
- Brand name
- Logo (if applicable)
- Applicant identity proof
- Business incorporation certificate
- MSME certificate (for lower fee)
- File Online at IP India
Or use a trademark consultant for error-free filing. - Pay Applicable Fee
- ₹4,500 (for individual/startup/MSME)
- ₹9,000 (for company)
💼 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.
🤝 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.
🏁 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
📞 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.