Common Mistakes People Make When Registering a Class 19 Trademark
Filing a trademark under Class 19 in India is crucial for businesses dealing in non-metallic building and construction materials, such as tiles, marble, cement, and other similar products. A well-protected trademark can help you stand out in a saturated market and legally secure your brand identity.
However, many applicants unknowingly make critical mistakes during the registration process, which can lead to delays, legal objections, or even outright rejection of their trademark application.
In this blog, we’ll uncover the most common mistakes to avoid when filing a trademark in Class 19, and how to ensure your brand gets the protection it deserves.
✅ What Is Trademark Class 19?
Trademark Class 19 is part of the Nice Classification system used in India to categorize goods and services for trademark registration. This class specifically includes:
“Non-metallic building materials such as tiles, marble, cement, plaster, asphalt, and similar construction products.”
✅ Common Products in Class 19:
- Ceramic, porcelain, and vitrified tiles
- Marble slabs and granite
- Bricks, cement, lime, and plaster
- Asphalt and bitumen
- Roofing, paving, and cladding materials
- Non-metallic doors and windows
- Gypsum boards, fiberboards, etc.
If your business deals in any of these products, Class 19 is the correct trademark class to register your brand name or logo.
🚫 Top Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Trademark in Class 19
Avoiding these mistakes will increase your chances of successful trademark registration and help protect your business from legal disputes or copycats.
❌ 1. Choosing a Descriptive or Generic Brand Name
Many businesses use names like “India Marble World” or “Ceramic Floor Co.” thinking they are good for SEO or marketing. But when it comes to trademark registration, descriptive names are often rejected.
✅ Solution:
Choose a name that is distinctive, unique, and not directly descriptive of the goods. For example:
- Avoid: “Marble Tiles India”
- Choose: “Marblyn” or “Granova”
❌ 2. Filing Under the Wrong Trademark Class
Some applicants confuse Class 6 (metal building materials) with Class 19 (non-metallic materials). If you mistakenly apply in the wrong class, your application will not protect your actual products.
✅ Solution:
If you deal in non-metallic products like tiles, bricks, and marble, ensure you apply under Class 19. For metal doors, metallic piping, etc., Class 6 would apply.
❌ 3. Skipping the Trademark Search
A common and dangerous mistake is not conducting a proper trademark search before filing. If your brand name or logo is similar to an already registered mark, your application could be:
- Opposed by another business
- Objected to by the Trademark Examiner
- Rejected outright
✅ Solution:
Use the official IP India Public Search to check existing trademarks in Class 19. You can also hire experts like VMK Professionals to do a thorough check.
❌ 4. Poor Product Description in the Application
Many applications simply list “tiles” or “building materials” without specifying the actual goods. This lack of clarity can weaken your trademark protection or lead to classification issues.
✅ Solution:
Mention specific products such as:
- “Ceramic wall tiles”
- “Porcelain floor tiles”
- “Marble and granite slabs for construction”
- “Gypsum ceiling panels”
Being specific avoids confusion and strengthens your case during examination or opposition.
❌ 5. Delaying Trademark Filing Until After Launch
A lot of businesses start using their brand before filing a trademark. While this may seem harmless, it puts you at risk of:
- Another party registering the same name first
- Legal conflicts if someone already owns a similar mark
✅ Solution:
File your trademark application before launching your products or brand to ensure priority rights and avoid legal disputes.
❌ 6. Using an Unclear or Low-Quality Logo
When submitting a logo for trademark registration, blurry or pixelated images may lead to rejection or objections due to unclear representation.
✅ Solution:
Always submit a high-resolution black-and-white version of the logo in JPEG format, as required by the trademark office.
❌ 7. Ignoring Similar Sounding Names
Even if your trademark is spelled differently, it can be rejected if it sounds similar to an existing mark in Class 19.
Example:
“Granetile” may sound too close to “Granitile,” and hence may face an objection.
✅ Solution:
Avoid names that sound phonetically similar to existing brands in the same class. Look at spelling and pronunciation carefully during the search process.
❌ 8. Not Claiming MSME/Startup Status (for Fee Reduction)
Small businesses often don’t realize that they can pay half the trademark filing fee if they are a recognized MSME or Startup.
✅ Solution:
If you’re registered under MSME or Startup India, submit your certificate and claim the ₹4,500 fee instead of ₹9,000.
❌ 9. Incorrect Applicant Details
Filing with incorrect or inconsistent details—like spelling mistakes in the applicant’s name, address, or ownership type—can result in future disputes, rejections, or delays.
✅ Solution:
Double-check all information before submitting. If using a consultant, ensure they verify everything before filing the form.
❌ 10. Not Responding to Objections in Time
If your application receives a formal objection (under Section 9 or Section 11), not replying within the specified timeframe can result in abandonment of the application.
✅ Solution:
Take all objections seriously and submit a written response within 30 days. If required, attend hearings or file additional documentation.
❌ 11. Not Renewing the Trademark on Time
Trademark protection is valid for 10 years, and you must renew it before expiry. Failure to renew can lead to removal from the register, making your brand vulnerable.
✅ Solution:
Set reminders or let your trademark consultant handle renewal alerts and filings.
🧾 Documents Required for Class 19 Trademark Filing
Here’s what you’ll typically need:
- Brand name and/or logo in JPEG format
- Applicant’s PAN and Aadhar
- Business address proof
- MSME or Startup India certificate (if applicable)
- Signed TM-A form
- Power of attorney (if filed by agent)
📌 Who Should File Under Class 19?
Class 19 is ideal for businesses dealing in:
- Ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles, and porcelain tiles
- Marble, granite, sandstone, and stone slabs
- Cement, lime, plaster, and concrete materials
- Non-metallic bricks, roofing materials, panels
- Plywood, gypsum boards, cladding tiles
- Bitumen and asphalt sheets
Whether you’re a manufacturer, importer, exporter, or trader, Class 19 ensures your brand is protected in the construction and building materials sector.
🛡️ Benefits of a Properly Filed Class 19 Trademark
✔️ Legal protection from brand copycats
✔️ National recognition and ownership
✔️ Builds trust among dealers and buyers
✔️ Asset creation for licensing or franchising
✔️ Easy expansion into international markets
👨💼 Why Choose VMK Professionals?
At VMK Professionals, we have years of experience handling Class 19 trademark filings for India’s top tile, marble, and construction brands.
We offer:
- Comprehensive trademark search
- Class-specific application drafting
- Objection handling and hearing support
- Budget-friendly packages for MSMEs and startups
📞 Let’s Protect Your Brand in Class 19
Don’t let simple mistakes ruin your trademark application. Let our experts handle it for you the right way, the first time.