Why Infrastructure Brands Should Register Under Trademark Class 19
In India’s fast-evolving infrastructure sector, brand reputation is more important than ever. Whether your company deals in cement, bricks, ready-mix concrete, or non-metallic construction products like tiles, doors, and window frames — your brand is your identity. Yet, many infrastructure companies overlook a vital step in protecting their name: filing a trademark under the correct class — Class 19.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
- What Trademark Class 19 is
- Why infrastructure companies specifically need protection under this class
- Risks of not trademarking your brand
- Trademark registration process for Class 19
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Long-term benefits of Class 19 brand protection
Let’s dive in and discover why Trademark Class 19 should be a priority for every infrastructure business in India.
🧱 What Is Trademark Class 19?
Trademark Class 19, under the Nice Classification system, is designated for:
“Building materials (non-metallic); non-metal rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments, not of metal.”
It covers non-metal construction materials, which are widely used by infrastructure companies. This includes:
- Cement and concrete
- Bricks and tiles
- Asphalt and bitumen
- Non-metallic doors, windows, and frames
- Sand, stone, and mortar
- PVC, UPVC, and composite construction materials
- Non-metal panels and partitions
- Non-metal pipelines and tubes
If your infrastructure company is engaged in the manufacture, sale, distribution, or branding of any of these products, Trademark Class 19 is the right category for brand protection.
🏗️ Why Infrastructure Companies Need Class 19 Trademark Protection
1. To Safeguard Brand Identity in a Crowded Market
India’s infrastructure boom has resulted in thousands of players entering the market — from local tile manufacturers to national cement giants. Without a registered trademark, your brand is vulnerable to:
- Copycats using similar names or packaging
- Distributors relabeling products with lookalike brands
- Competitors taking advantage of your brand equity
Registering your brand under Trademark Class 19 ensures exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo, or tagline for your specific products.
2. To Prevent Infringement and Legal Disputes
Infrastructure disputes don’t just happen on construction sites — they happen in courts too. With rising brand confusion in building materials, infringement cases are common.
By registering your trademark under Class 19, you gain:
- Legal standing to sue for damages
- Ability to stop counterfeit or similar branding
- Grounds to file cease-and-desist letters
Without it, you’re left unprotected — even if you’ve been in the market for years.
3. To Build Trust with Contractors and Buyers
Large infrastructure projects are awarded based on reputation, consistency, and trust. When builders or government agencies see a ™ or ® symbol:
- They perceive your company as legitimate and professional
- Your materials are seen as genuine and high quality
- Your brand earns loyalty and preference
A registered trademark is a powerful trust signal.
4. To Expand into New Markets Without Risk
When your infrastructure company expands across states or enters exports, your brand faces new threats:
- Unauthorized sellers
- Importers copying your brand in overseas markets
- Local players exploiting similar-sounding names
Trademark Class 19 protection gives you exclusive rights in India and helps with international trademark filings.
📦 Real-World Examples: Brands Under Class 19
| Brand Name | Product Type | Trademark Status (Class 19) |
| Ultratech Cement | Cement & concrete | ✅ Registered |
| Kajaria Ceramics | Tiles & sanitary ware | ✅ Registered |
| Fenesta | UPVC doors/windows | ✅ Registered |
| Shree Cement | Cement bricks | ✅ Registered |
| Asian Granito | Floor tiles | ✅ Registered |
These brands dominate because they’ve secured their identity early, under the correct class.
📋 List of Products Covered in Class 19 for Infrastructure Businesses
Here are common infrastructure materials that fall under Class 19:
- Cement, mortar, concrete
- Bricks, blocks, and tiles (ceramic, vitrified, clay)
- Marble, granite, sandstone slabs
- Bitumen, asphalt, tar-based products
- PVC/UPVC panels, pipes (non-metal)
- Prefabricated buildings (non-metal)
- Plywood, laminated boards (non-metal)
- Wooden or plastic doors, window frames
- Roofing materials (non-metallic)
If your business is associated with any of these, Class 19 applies directly.
📝 How to Register a Trademark in Class 19
Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Search
- Visit: IP India Public Search Tool
- Enter your proposed brand name
- Filter by Class 19
- Check for similar or identical names/logos
Tip: Avoid names too close to existing trademarks to reduce the chance of rejection.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
You’ll need:
- Logo/brand name (in JPEG format)
- Applicant’s name and address
- Nature of business and product description
- MSME certificate (if applicable)
- Signed Form TM-A
- Power of attorney (if filed through agent)
Step 3: File the Application
You can apply:
- Online via the IP India website
- Offline at Trademark Registry Offices
Step 4: Monitor Application Status
The process includes:
- Examination by the Trademark Office
- Possible objections (which must be replied to)
- Publication in Trademark Journal
- Registration Certificate (if no opposition is received in 4 months)
💰 Trademark Class 19 Registration Fees in India
| Applicant Type | Fee per Class |
| Individual / Startup / MSME | ₹4,500 |
| Company / LLP / Others | ₹9,000 |
Trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
❌ Common Mistakes Infrastructure Companies Must Avoid
| Mistake | Consequence |
| ❌ Filing under wrong class (e.g., Class 6 for non-metallic items) | Trademark won’t protect actual product |
| ❌ Choosing a generic brand name like “Quality Cement” | Likely to be rejected |
| ❌ Ignoring trademark search | May lead to objections or lawsuits |
| ❌ Missing renewal deadlines | Brand rights may lapse |
| ❌ Using unregistered TM symbols | No legal protection |
🔁 What If Your Products Include Both Metal and Non-Metallic Materials?
For example:
- If you manufacture both metallic window grills (Class 6) and non-metal doors (Class 19)
Then you must:
File in both Class 6 and Class 19
This ensures full protection for every part of your product portfolio.
🧠 Long-Term Benefits of Trademarking Under Class 19
✅ Brand Monopoly
You get exclusive rights to use your brand name in your industry.
✅ Easy Legal Action
Simplifies litigation and enforcement if someone copies your name or logo.
✅ Business Expansion
Helps secure contracts, franchise deals, and expand into international markets.
✅ Asset Creation
Your trademark becomes a valuable asset on your balance sheet.
✅ Licensing & Franchising
You can license your brand for revenue — useful in dealership models.
👷🏻♂️ Case Study: A Real-Life Brand Protection Win
Brand: StoneEdge
- Product: Engineered stone slabs and tiles (non-metallic)
- Class Filed: Class 19
- Problem: Local competitor used a similar name “StoneAge” with a matching logo
- Action: Trademark infringement suit filed
- Outcome: StoneEdge won the case, the competitor was barred, and damages were recovered
Moral: Trademark protection pays off when you need it most.
👨💼 How VMK Professionals Can Help
At VMK Professionals, we specialize in trademark registrations for infrastructure brands. Our team:
- Conducts Class 19 trademark searches
- Drafts strong legal applications
- Handles examination objections
- Supports multiclass registrations if your products fall into Class 6, 19, 37, etc.
We help you register your brand smoothly, affordably, and legally.
📞 Contact VMK Professionals Today
Protect your infrastructure brand before it’s too late. We make the process easy, transparent, and affordable.