When it comes to protecting your brand in the home décor and furniture industry, understanding the correct trademark class is crucial. Many business owners often get confused between Trademark Class 20 and Trademark Class 27, especially when their products relate to flooring, carpets, or decorative interiors.
Choosing the wrong class can lead to legal challenges, rejection of your application, or incomplete protection for your brand.
This blog will clearly explain the difference between Trademark Class 27 and Class 20, the type of products each covers, and how to determine which one is right for your flooring-related business.
Understanding Trademark Classes
Understanding Trademark Classes
Before we compare Class 27 and Class 20, let’s quickly understand what trademark classes are.
The Nice Classification system, adopted internationally, divides goods and services into 45 trademark classes — Classes 1 to 34 for goods and Classes 35 to 45 for services.
When you register a trademark, you must choose the correct class that best represents your product or service category.
For example:
- Class 25 covers clothing and footwear
- Class 30 covers food items
- Class 27 covers floor coverings like carpets, rugs, mats, and wallpapers
- Class 20 covers furniture, mirrors, and related home décor products
If your products involve home interiors or furniture, both Class 20 and Class 27 might seem relevant — but they protect very different types of goods.
What Is Trademark Class 20?
Trademark Class 20 covers products made mostly of wood, plastic, or substitutes for these materials, used for furnishing, storage, and interior decoration.
Examples of Products Under Class 20
- Furniture (beds, chairs, sofas, tables)
- Mirrors and picture frames
- Mattresses and cushions
- Display stands and cabinets
- Storage boxes made of plastic or wood
- Window blinds (non-textile)
- Office furniture and shelving
- Garden and outdoor furniture
- Bedding accessories like headboards
In short, Class 20 focuses on items used for furnishing and organizing spaces, not covering floors or walls.
Example Scenario
If you manufacture or sell wooden flooring, it might sound like a floor product — but if it is fixed and part of the room’s structure, it could fall outside Class 27. On the other hand, a carpet or rug used to decorate a finished floor falls under Class 27.
What Is Trademark Class 27?
Trademark Class 27 covers all kinds of floor and wall coverings, whether decorative or functional.
These include:
- Carpets and rugs
- Mats and floor mats
- Linoleum and vinyl flooring
- Artificial turf
- Bath mats and yoga mats
- Wallpaper and wall hangings (non-textile)
- Carpet underlays and runners
Purpose of Class 27
The main focus of this class is covering or protecting surfaces like floors or walls. If your product is designed to be spread, rolled, or attached to these surfaces for aesthetic or protective reasons, Class 27 is your correct category.
Key Difference Between Class 20 and Class 27
Although both classes relate to home décor, their core functions differ.
Here’s a clear comparison:
| Aspect | Trademark Class 20 | Trademark Class 27 |
| Category | Furniture, storage, and interior items | Floor and wall coverings |
| Examples | Tables, chairs, mirrors, beds, shelves | Carpets, rugs, mats, wallpaper |
| Material focus | Wood, plastic, foam, or metal | Textile, rubber, vinyl, or fabric |
| Purpose | Furnishing or decorating interiors | Covering or protecting floors/walls |
| Typical users | Furniture and interior design brands | Flooring, carpet, or wallpaper brands |
In Simple Terms:
- If your product stands on the floor, it’s probably Class 20.
- If your product covers the floor, it’s Class 27.
Examples of Products and Their Correct Class
To help you better understand, here’s a list of sample products and their corresponding classes:
| Product Type | Correct Class |
| Wooden tables and chairs | Class 20 |
| Carpets and rugs | Class 27 |
| Vinyl floor tiles | Class 27 |
| Plastic storage cabinets | Class 20 |
| Wallpaper and wall coverings | Class 27 |
| Bean bags and cushions | Class 20 |
| Yoga mats and bath mats | Class 27 |
| Mirrors and picture frames | Class 20 |
| Linoleum flooring | Class 27 |
| Shoe racks or display stands | Class 20 |
This table clearly shows that while both classes cater to home-related products, their usage and purpose define their classification.
Why Choosing the Right Class Matters
Selecting the right trademark class isn’t just a formality — it determines the scope of your brand’s protection.
If you choose the wrong class, your trademark:
- Won’t protect your actual products, and
- Can be challenged or rejected by other businesses in the correct class.
Example
Suppose your brand sells rugs and mats, but you accidentally register under Class 20 (furniture).
If another business registers a similar brand under Class 27 (rugs), you cannot take legal action because your protection doesn’t cover rugs — it covers furniture instead.
Therefore, ensuring you pick the right class before filing is essential to avoid disputes later.
Trademark Filing Process for Class 20 and Class 27
The registration process for both classes is similar — the difference lies only in the type of goods you declare. Here’s how to file correctly:
Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Search
Before filing, perform a trademark search on the IP India website to check if your brand name, logo, or symbol is already registered in the same class.
- Visit: https://ipindia.gov.in
- Select “Trademark Search” and choose Class 20 or Class 27
- Enter your brand name and check for identical or similar marks
This step ensures your brand is unique and reduces the risk of rejection.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application
Gather all necessary information, including:
- Applicant name and address
- Brand name or logo design
- List of goods under Class 20 or Class 27
- Date of first use (if applicable)
- Type of applicant (individual, partnership, company, etc.)
Step 3: File the Application
You can file online via the IP India E-filing Portal or offline at the Trademark Registry Office.
Once submitted, you’ll receive an acknowledgment number — allowing you to use the ™ symbol immediately.
Step 4: Examination and Publication
The trademark office reviews your application for compliance and potential conflicts.
If approved, it’s published in the Trademark Journal for public review.
If no opposition arises within 4 months, your trademark proceeds to registration.
Step 5: Registration Certificate
Once approved, you receive a Trademark Registration Certificate, granting you exclusive rights to use the mark in that class.
You can then use the ® symbol for your brand.
Step 6: Renewal
Trademarks are valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely by filing a renewal application before expiry.
Can You Register in Both Class 20 and Class 27?
Yes — many brands choose to register in multiple classes to ensure wider protection.
For example:
- A home décor brand that sells furniture (Class 20) and carpets (Class 27) should register in both.
- A flooring solutions company offering vinyl floors (Class 27) and wooden cabinets (Class 20) should do the same.
Multi-class registration ensures your brand identity remains protected across all your product categories.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filing in the wrong class — Always check the product purpose carefully.
- Skipping the trademark search — This can cause rejections or legal conflicts.
- Using descriptive names — Generic terms like “Soft Rugs” or “Wooden Furniture” are hard to trademark.
- Not responding to examination reports — Delays or missed responses can lead to application abandonment.
- Ignoring renewal — Letting your trademark expire removes legal protection.
Real-Life Examples
Let’s look at how popular brands use these classes:
| Brand | Trademark Class | Products Covered |
| Godrej Interio | Class 20 | Furniture and home fittings |
| D’Decor | Class 27 | Carpets, rugs, wallpapers |
| Nilkamal | Class 20 | Plastic furniture and storage products |
| Welspun Flooring | Class 27 | Rugs, floor coverings, mats |
Each of these brands registered in the correct class to ensure their identity and product line remain protected.
Why Choose VMK Professionals for Trademark Filing
Navigating between classes can be confusing — but with expert help from VMK Professionals, the process becomes smooth and error-free.
We specialize in:
- Trademark registration for Class 20, Class 27, and all product-based categories
- Handling objections, oppositions, and renewals
- Providing expert legal and business guidance
- Affordable and quick filing services
Whether you deal in furniture, flooring, or home décor, VMK Professionals ensures your brand is protected under the right trademark class.
Conclusion
Both Trademark Class 20 and Trademark Class 27 play important roles in protecting brands in the home and interior industry.
- If your business focuses on furniture, storage, or decorative pieces, go for Class 20.
- If you make or sell carpets, rugs, mats, or wallpapers, register under Class 27.
Choosing the right class ensures that your flooring products — and your brand reputation — remain legally protected against misuse and imitation.
Need Expert Help With Trademark Filing?
Let VMK Professionals guide you through a seamless trademark filing process for your furniture or flooring brand.
📞 Contact VMK Professionals today for expert assistance in selecting the right trademark class, filing, and protecting your brand identity.