What Is Trademark Class 25? Complete Guide for Clothing, Footwear & Headgear Brands
Introduction
The fashion industry is one of the fastest-growing and most competitive markets worldwide. From clothing and footwear to hats and accessories, every brand is trying to build its unique identity. But in this crowded market, how can you ensure that your brand stands out and stays protected from copycats?
The answer lies in trademark registration—and more specifically, in Trademark Class 25, which is designed for clothing, footwear, and headgear brands. If you run a fashion label, footwear company, or accessory line, this is the class you need to know about.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything about Trademark Class 25—what it covers, why it matters, and how it can help safeguard your brand identity in the competitive fashion industry.
Understanding Trademark Classes
Before diving into Class 25, let’s quickly understand what trademark classes are.
Trademarks are divided into 45 classes under the Nice Classification (NCL) system. Each class represents a specific category of goods or services.
- Classes 1 to 34 → Goods (products).
- Classes 35 to 45 → Services.
So, when you register your brand, you must choose the right class depending on the nature of your products or services. Choosing the wrong class can result in rejection, objections, or weak protection for your brand.
What Is Trademark Class 25?
Trademark Class 25 is the class dedicated to clothing, footwear, and headgear.
This class is one of the most popular and widely used classes because fashion brands, garment manufacturers, footwear companies, and accessory businesses all fall into this category.
If your business deals in any form of apparel, shoes, or hats, you must register your brand under Class 25 to ensure proper protection.
Complete List of Products Covered Under Trademark Class 25
To help you understand clearly, here’s a detailed list of items covered under Trademark Class 25:
✅ Clothing
- T-shirts, shirts, trousers, jeans, jackets
- Sarees, suits, dresses, skirts
- Sweaters, cardigans, coats
- Sportswear, gym wear, yoga wear
- Undergarments, lingerie, nightwear
- Baby clothes and kidswear
- Raincoats and waterproof clothing
- Traditional wear (like kurta, dhoti, lehenga)
✅ Footwear
- Formal shoes, casual shoes, sneakers, boots
- Sandals, slippers, flip-flops
- Sports shoes and athletic footwear
- Leather shoes and handcrafted footwear
- Specialized footwear (safety boots, orthopedic shoes)
✅ Headgear
- Hats, caps, beanies
- Helmets (non-protective fashion helmets)
- Scarves, bandanas, and headbands used as fashion accessories
What Is NOT Covered in Class 25?
It’s equally important to know what is excluded from Class 25 to avoid confusion.
Class 25 does not include:
- Protective helmets (Class 9).
- Footwear for special medical purposes (Class 10).
- Textile fabrics (Class 24).
- Sewing supplies like threads or yarn (Class 23).
So, if your business overlaps into these areas, you may need to register in multiple classes for complete protection.
Why Is Trademark Registration in Class 25 Important?
The fashion industry is highly vulnerable to counterfeiting and brand theft. Fake clothing, duplicate footwear, and lookalike headgear flood the market every day. If your brand is not protected, you risk losing both sales and reputation.
Here’s why registering your brand in Class 25 is crucial:
1. Exclusive Rights Over Your Brand
Once registered, you gain exclusive rights over your brand name, logo, or slogan in the clothing, footwear, and headgear category.
Example: If your shoe brand is “UrbanStep,” no one else can sell footwear under that name once you’ve registered it.
2. Protection Against Counterfeit Products
Counterfeiting is rampant in fashion. Trademark registration helps you legally stop fakes and duplicates from using your name.
3. Nationwide Legal Protection
Your trademark is valid across India, so whether you sell offline, online, or through distributors, your brand remains legally protected everywhere.
4. Brand Recognition and Customer Trust
A registered trademark builds customer confidence. People trust registered brands more because they seem professional and authentic.
5. Support in International Expansion
If you want to take your fashion brand global, your Indian trademark under Class 25 helps you register in other countries through the Madrid Protocol.
6. Asset Value for Your Business
A trademark is considered an intangible asset. If you plan to expand, franchise, or even sell your brand, having a registered trademark significantly increases your business value.
Step-by-Step Guide to Registering a Trademark in Class 25
Here’s a simple process for filing your clothing, footwear, or headgear brand under Class 25 in India:
Step 1: Trademark Search
- Conduct a search on the IP India database to check if your brand name/logo is available.
- This avoids duplication and rejection.
Step 2: Filing the Application
- File your trademark application (Form TM-A) online or offline.
- Provide details such as brand name, logo, goods description, and class (25).
Step 3: Examination of Application
- The trademark office examines your application for compliance.
- If there are issues, they issue an Examination Report.
Step 4: Publication in Trademark Journal
- If approved, your mark is published in the journal for 4 months.
- During this period, third parties can oppose the registration.
Step 5: Trademark Registration Certificate
- If there’s no opposition, you receive a registration certificate.
- Your trademark is now valid for 10 years.
Real-Life Examples of Class 25 Brands
Many famous global brands fall under Trademark Class 25:
- Nike (clothing, sportswear, footwear)
- Adidas (sports clothing and shoes)
- Levi’s (denim and apparel)
- Raymond (formal wear and suits)
- H&M, Zara, Uniqlo (fashion clothing)
These brands are powerful today because they protected their identity early on with trademark registration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Registering in Class 25
To ensure a smooth registration, avoid these mistakes:
❌ Choosing a descriptive or generic brand name (e.g., “Best Shoes”).
❌ Not conducting a proper trademark search.
❌ Filing in the wrong class (like Class 24 instead of 25).
❌ Ignoring objections or oppositions during the process.
❌ Not renewing your trademark on time (every 10 years).
Conclusion
Trademark Class 25 is the backbone of protection for clothing, footwear, and headgear brands. If you’re in the fashion business, this class ensures that your brand identity stays unique, secure, and legally protected against misuse.
Whether you’re a textile startup, a footwear manufacturer, or a global fashion label, registering your brand under Class 25 is a must to grow confidently in today’s competitive market.
At VMK Professionals, we specialize in trademark registration services across India. Our experts will guide you through the entire process—from trademark search to registration—so you can focus on building your brand while we secure it legally.
📞 Contact VMK Professionals today and protect your fashion brand under Class 25 before someone else does!