Beginner’s Guide to Class 19 Trademark: Protecting Your Construction Business Legally
When you’re building a construction business, your brand is as solid as the materials you supply. Whether you deal in cement, tiles, concrete, or glass, your brand identity deserves protection under Indian trademark law. If you manufacture or sell construction materials, your trademark most likely falls under Trademark Class 19.
This blog serves as a complete beginner’s guide to Trademark Class 19 in India, explaining what it includes, why it matters for the construction industry, and how to register your brand under this class.
🔎 What is Trademark Class 19?
Under the Nice Classification system, which India follows for trademark registration, Trademark Class 19 pertains to:
“Materials, not of metal, used in building and construction.”
This means Class 19 covers non-metallic construction materials of all types, whether used for roads, bridges, homes, or commercial buildings.
🧱 Products Included Under Trademark Class 19
If you’re unsure whether your product falls under this class, here’s a list of items commonly covered:
✅ Common Products in Class 19:
- Non-metallic building materials
- Non-metallic rigid pipes for building
- Asphalt, pitch, and bitumen
- Non-metallic transportable buildings
- Monuments made of stone, concrete, or marble
- Cement, bricks, tiles, and stone
- Plaster and gravel
- Roofing materials (not metal)
- Insulating glass for buildings
- Plywood, MDF, chipboard, and veneers
- Fiberglass for construction
- Concrete building elements (blocks, panels)
Note: Metallic construction materials like steel rods, aluminum frames, etc., fall under different trademark classes and not Class 19.
🏗️ Who Should Apply Under Class 19?
Trademark Class 19 is ideal for:
- Construction companies
- Building material suppliers
- Manufacturers of non-metallic components
- Brands producing tiles, glass, and fiber panels
- Dealers of cement or gravel
- Home improvement product brands
- Interior and architectural panel manufacturers
If your business is involved in the supply chain of building materials, your trademark must be registered under this class to avoid infringement and secure your brand identity.
🧠 Why Is Class 19 Trademark Registration Important?
In the highly competitive and capital-intensive construction material sector, your brand can be your biggest asset. Here’s why:
🛡️ Legal Protection
Trademark registration gives you exclusive rights over your brand name or logo in the construction material category.
🚫 Avoid Imitation
Prevents competitors from copying or using a similar brand identity.
📈 Boosts Brand Value
Helps establish trust and professionalism among contractors, real estate developers, and government buyers.
📝 Contractual Benefits
Enables you to license your brand or franchise your operations legally.
🌐 Expansion Possibility
Trademark registration in India allows easier international expansion through the Madrid Protocol.
📄 Examples of Trademark Class 19 Trademarks
Some well-known Indian and international brands have registered under Class 19:
- ACC Cement – for cement and ready-mix concrete
- Kajaria Ceramics – for tiles
- Saint-Gobain – for glass solutions
- Ultratech – for concrete products
- Greenply – for plywood and veneers
- Ramco – for cement and infrastructure solutions
If you’re building a similar brand, registration under Class 19 is a must.
📝 What Is Not Included in Class 19?
It’s also essential to know what doesn’t belong in this class:
| Not Included in Class 19 | Registered Under |
| Metal building materials | Class 6 |
| Paints and coatings | Class 2 |
| Electrical wiring and fixtures | Class 9 |
| Construction machinery | Class 7 |
| Tools for masonry or construction | Class 8 |
Registering in the wrong class can result in rejection, objection, or even future infringement issues.
🧾 Documents Required for Class 19 Trademark Registration
Here’s a checklist of documents needed:
For Individuals:
- Applicant’s Name and Address
- PAN Card and Aadhaar
- Logo (if applicable)
- Signed Power of Attorney (Form TM-48)
For Businesses:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Partnership/LLP Deed (if applicable)
- GST Certificate
- Logo in JPEG/PNG format
- Board Resolution (for companies)
- MSME or Startup India Certificate (if applicable)
These documents are necessary to fill out the TM-A form during the application process.
💰 Government Fees for Class 19 Trademark Registration
Here’s a breakdown of official filing fees:
| Type of Applicant | Fee per Class (INR) |
| Individual / MSME / Startup | ₹4,500 |
| Company / LLP / Other | ₹9,000 |
These are per class fees. If you want to register in additional classes like Class 2 (for paints), additional fees apply.
🧭 Step-by-Step Process to Register Trademark Under Class 19
✅ Step 1: Trademark Search
Before filing, use the IP India Trademark Search Tool to make sure no similar brand is already registered in Class 19.
🔗 Visit: https://ipindia.gov.in
✅ Step 2: Choose the Trademark Type
You can register:
- Word Mark (e.g., “BuildStrong”)
- Logo or Symbol
- Combination of both
✅ Step 3: File the Application
Submit Form TM-A along with documents and fees. You can apply:
- Online (using Digital Signature Certificate)
- Offline (through Trademark Registry Office)
✅ Step 4: Examination Report
An Examiner reviews the application. If there are no objections, it moves forward. If objections are raised, you may need to respond or attend a hearing.
✅ Step 5: Trademark Publication
If accepted, your mark is published in the Trademark Journal for opposition.
✅ Step 6: Trademark Registration Certificate
If no opposition is filed in 4 months, you receive a registration certificate—valid for 10 years.
📅 Trademark Renewal for Class 19
Your trademark remains valid for 10 years and must be renewed before it expires.
- Renewal Form: TM-R
- Renewal Fees: ₹4,500 (individuals), ₹9,000 (companies)
- Late Renewal Grace Period: 6 months (with late fee)
- Restoration Allowed: Up to 1 year from expiry
⚖️ Common Challenges in Class 19 Registration
❌ Similar Existing Trademarks
If a brand similar to yours is already registered, your application may be objected to.
❌ Wrong Trademark Class
Registering in the wrong class can lead to infringement vulnerability and legal disputes.
❌ Lack of Evidence
If you claim “prior usage,” you must show invoices, packaging, or advertisements.
💡 Tips for Leather and Construction Brands Filing Under Class 19
- Always do a detailed trademark search
- Register logo + wordmark for complete protection
- Include MSME certificate for fee benefits
- Use the brand commercially to strengthen your rights
- Watch for similar trademarks during and after registration
✅ Why Choose VMK Professionals for Class 19 Trademark Services?
Registering a trademark is simple—but getting it approved and defended is complex. That’s where we come in.
At VMK Professionals, we offer:
- Trademark Search & Class Identification
- Complete Filing and Drafting
- Objection Handling & Hearing Support
- Trademark Watch & Renewal Services
- PAN India Support | Affordable Pricing | 100% Online Process
📞 Get Started Today
Whether you deal in cement, tiles, glass, or asphalt—protect your construction brand today under Class 19.
Reach out to VMK Professionals for Class 19 trademark registration and legal protection.