The footwear industry in India has witnessed massive growth over the past decade. From sports shoes and sneakers to traditional footwear and luxury brands, the market is flooded with both domestic and international players. With such intense competition, protecting your footwear brand from copycats and counterfeits has become more important than ever.
This is where Trademark Class 25 plays a crucial role. If you are a footwear manufacturer, designer, or retailer, registering your trademark under Class 25 ensures your brand name, logo, and identity are legally protected.
In this blog, we’ll explore why Class 25 is essential for footwear brands, what it covers, and how to register your brand under it.
👟 What Is Trademark Class 25?
Trademark Class 25 is a specific category under the Nice Classification system that covers:
- Clothing (shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, etc.)
- Footwear (shoes, sandals, boots, sneakers, slippers, etc.)
- Headgear (caps, hats, helmets, etc.)
For footwear businesses, Class 25 ensures your shoes, sandals, or sneakers are legally tied to your brand identity. This prevents competitors from using a similar brand name or logo that could confuse your customers.
🥾 Why Footwear Brands Must Register Under Class 25
Here are some strong reasons why every footwear business must prioritize Class 25 trademark protection:
1. Brand Identity Protection
Your brand name and logo represent your reputation. Without registration, anyone can copy your design or use a similar name, misleading customers. A registered Class 25 trademark gives you exclusive rights over your footwear brand.
2. Prevents Counterfeiting
Footwear is one of the most counterfeited industries worldwide. Fake sneakers, slippers, and sports shoes are common in the market. With a trademark in Class 25, you can take legal action against counterfeiters and protect your sales.
3. Builds Consumer Trust
Customers trust brands with authenticity. A trademark adds credibility to your footwear brand and ensures customers know they are buying genuine products.
4. Competitive Advantage
In the fashion and footwear industry, competition is fierce. Owning a Class 25 trademark makes your brand unique and legally secured, giving you an edge over rivals.
5. Long-Term Brand Value
Trademark registration is an intangible asset. Over time, it increases your brand’s value, helping you expand into new markets or attract investors.
🥿 Types of Footwear Covered Under Class 25
Class 25 covers almost all types of footwear, including:
- Casual wear: Sneakers, loafers, sandals, slippers
- Formal wear: Leather shoes, office footwear, dress shoes
- Sportswear: Running shoes, training shoes, cleats, gym shoes
- Traditional footwear: Juttis, kolhapuris, mojaris, chappals
- Seasonal footwear: Boots, rain shoes, flip-flops
Whether you are a small startup brand or an established shoe manufacturer, your products fall under Class 25.
🧾 Documents Required for Footwear Trademark Registration
When applying for a trademark under Class 25 for your footwear brand, you need:
- Applicant’s details (name, address, nationality)
- Business proof (incorporation certificate, partnership deed, MSME certificate, etc.)
- Brand name/logo (wordmark or logo design)
- Goods description (mention footwear products under Class 25)
- Power of Attorney (if filed by an agent/attorney)
🔍 How to Register Your Footwear Brand in Class 25 – Step by Step
Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Search
Before filing, search on the IP India portal to check if a similar footwear brand name/logo already exists.
Step 2: Choose Trademark Type
- Wordmark (brand name like “Bata” or “Adidas”)
- Logo (visual representation like Nike swoosh)
- Combination (both word and logo)
Step 3: File Application
Submit your application online with all necessary documents and fees.
Step 4: Examination
The Trademark Office will review your application. If there are objections, you may need to respond.
Step 5: Publication in Journal
If accepted, your trademark is published in the official journal for 4 months to invite oppositions.
Step 6: Registration
If no opposition arises, your brand is officially registered and you receive a Trademark Certificate.
⚖️ Class 25 vs. Other Trademark Classes for Footwear Businesses
Some footwear businesses get confused between Class 25 and other classes. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Class 25 → Footwear products (shoes, sandals, boots).
- Class 35 → Retail or e-commerce store selling footwear.
- Class 18 → Leather goods (bags, belts, wallets).
- Class 40 → Custom manufacturing services.
👉 If you manufacture shoes, Class 25 is mandatory.
👉 If you also run a shoe retail store/e-commerce, file under Class 35 too.
✅ Benefits of Class 25 Registration for Footwear Brands
- Exclusive ownership rights for your brand name/logo.
- Legal protection against copycats and counterfeit products.
- Right to sue in case of infringement.
- Brand expansion into new cities or countries without losing rights.
- Attract investors & partnerships with a legally recognized brand.
🏆 Examples of Footwear Brands Protected Under Class 25
- Nike – sports shoes & sneakers.
- Adidas – footwear & apparel.
- Bata – casual and formal footwear.
- Woodland – boots, trekking shoes.
- Puma – sportswear and shoes.
All these leading footwear brands are registered under Class 25 to safeguard their identity.
🚀 Tips for Footwear Startups Filing Under Class 25
- Choose a unique brand name to avoid objections.
- Protect both your wordmark and logo.
- Mention footwear clearly in the goods description.
- Register in multiple classes if you also deal with bags (Class 18) or retail services (Class 35).
- Renew your trademark every 10 years to keep protection active.
📝 Final Thoughts
In today’s highly competitive footwear industry, a strong brand is as important as product quality. Without proper protection, your shoe designs, brand name, or logo can be easily copied, damaging your reputation and revenue.
Registering under Trademark Class 25 ensures your footwear brand is legally secured, trusted by customers, and ready to grow. Whether you’re a local shoe startup or a global sneaker brand, Class 25 is the foundation of your brand’s long-term success.
📌 About VMK Professionals
At VMK Professionals, we specialize in trademark registration for footwear, apparel, and fashion brands. Our experts help you:
- Conduct a trademark search
- File under the correct class (Class 25 & others if needed)
- Respond to objections and oppositions
- Secure long-term protection for your brand
👉 Contact us today to protect your footwear business and step confidently into the future.