Trademark Registration Process in Class 25 for Fashion Entrepreneurs
The fashion industry is a fast-moving and competitive space. New clothing lines, footwear brands, and headgear startups are launched almost every day, each aiming to make its mark in the market. But while creativity and product quality are essential, one thing that often gets overlooked by fashion startups is brand protection.
In fashion, your brand name, logo, and identity are everything. They set you apart from your competitors and build customer loyalty. However, without legal protection, competitors can copy your name, imitate your logo, or misuse your reputation. This is why Trademark Class 25 becomes so crucial for fashion startups.
Trademark Class 25 specifically covers clothing, footwear, and headgear—the very foundation of the fashion industry. Registering your trademark under this class ensures that your brand identity is legally protected and exclusively yours.
In this blog, we’ll give you a detailed step-by-step guide for fashion startups to file a trademark in Class 25. We’ll also explain what products are covered, why it’s important, and how you can avoid common mistakes during the process.
👗 What Is Trademark Class 25?
Trademark Class 25 is one of the 45 classes of trademarks under the NICE classification system. Each class represents a different category of goods or services.
Class 25 specifically includes:
- Clothing: Shirts, T-shirts, dresses, jeans, trousers, jackets, coats, uniforms, sportswear, traditional attire, and more.
- Footwear: Sneakers, sandals, slippers, boots, heels, loafers, formal shoes, and sports shoes.
- Headgear: Hats, caps, visors, fashion headbands, helmets (non-protective fashion ones).
If your startup is involved in the fashion industry—whether it’s selling T-shirts online, designing premium footwear, or launching a headgear brand—you need to register under Class 25 to safeguard your products.
🔑 Why Fashion Startups Should File a Trademark Under Class 25
For a startup, brand protection is not just legal—it’s strategic. Here’s why:
1. Protects Your Brand Identity
Your startup name and logo represent your vision. Without trademark protection, someone else can easily copy it. Filing in Class 25 ensures exclusivity.
2. Prevents Brand Infringement
The fashion industry is notorious for copycats. With a registered trademark, you can take legal action against anyone misusing your brand.
3. Builds Customer Trust
Consumers associate trademarks with authenticity. A registered brand gives buyers confidence that they’re purchasing from a genuine company.
4. Helps in Marketing and Growth
Trademark protection makes it easier to expand to new markets, collaborate with retailers, and even franchise your brand.
5. Attracts Investors
Startups with registered trademarks often have higher brand value, which attracts potential investors and business partners.
📋 What Products Are Covered Under Class 25?
Fashion startups often wonder what specific products are included in Class 25. Here’s a complete list:
- Clothing: T-shirts, shirts, blouses, tops, trousers, jeans, shorts, skirts, suits, jackets, coats, dresses, sarees, lehengas, uniforms, baby clothes, raincoats, overalls, sweaters, hoodies, tracksuits.
- Footwear: Casual shoes, sports shoes, boots, sandals, slippers, flip-flops, loafers, heels, clogs, moccasins.
- Headgear: Hats, caps, berets, visors, fashion helmets, scarves used as headwear, fashion headbands.
- Special Categories: Sportswear, gym wear, beachwear, swimwear, sleepwear, lingerie, gloves, socks, stockings, belts (as clothing accessories).
👉 If your startup deals in any of these, Class 25 is the right category for you.
📝 Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Trademark in Class 25 for Fashion Startups
Filing a trademark may sound complicated, but the process can be smooth if you follow the right steps.
Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Search
Before filing, check whether your brand name or logo is already registered by someone else.
- Use the Indian Trademark Search tool.
- Look for identical or similar trademarks in Class 25.
👉 Example: If your brand is called Urban Threads, search if any other clothing startup has already registered a similar name.
Step 2: Choose the Right Trademark Type
You can register different kinds of trademarks depending on your brand needs:
- Word Mark – Protects your brand name (e.g., H&M).
- Logo Mark (Device Mark) – Protects your symbol or logo (e.g., Nike’s swoosh).
- Combination Mark – Protects both name + logo together.
- Tagline – If your brand has a unique slogan, it can also be trademarked.
Step 3: Prepare Documents
You’ll need:
- Brand name/logo in JPEG format.
- Applicant details (name, address).
- Nature of business.
- Power of Attorney (if filing through an agent).
- User affidavit (if the brand is already in use).
Step 4: File the Application
- File online at the Indian Trademark Registry website.
- Pay the government fees (₹4,500 for individuals/startups; ₹9,000 for companies).
- Get the application number for tracking.
Step 5: Examination of Application
The Trademark Registrar reviews your application. They may:
- Accept it.
- Raise objections if similar marks exist or if the brand is too descriptive.
Step 6: Publication in the Trademark Journal
Your trademark is published in the journal for public review. If no opposition is filed within 4 months, your application moves forward.
Step 7: Registration Certificate
Once approved, you receive the certificate, giving you exclusive rights over your brand in Class 25.
⚠️ Common Mistakes Fashion Startups Make in Trademark Filing
- Registering in the wrong class – Some startups mistakenly file in Class 35 (business services) instead of Class 25 (fashion products).
- Choosing generic names – Names like “Fashion Wear” or “Clothing Hub” are too descriptive and cannot be trademarked.
- Ignoring prior search – Not checking for existing trademarks leads to rejection.
- Delaying registration – Waiting too long risks losing your brand name to someone else.
- Not protecting across multiple classes – Fashion brands often also need Class 18 (bags, accessories) and Class 35 (online retail).
🌍 Case Studies of Famous Brands in Class 25
- Nike – Trademarked its swoosh logo under Class 25 for footwear and clothing.
- Adidas – Registered its iconic three stripes across all footwear and clothing.
- FabIndia – Registered under Class 25 to protect its ethnic and fusion wear.
These examples show that strong trademarks are not limited to global giants—startups must secure them early too.
💡 Pro Tips for Fashion Startups
- File Early: Don’t wait until your startup becomes famous. File your trademark as soon as possible.
- Register in Multiple Classes: Protect not just clothing (Class 25) but also accessories (Class 18) and online retail (Class 35).
- Think Global: If you plan to expand abroad, consider filing for international trademark protection under the Madrid Protocol.
📈 SEO Value of a Trademark for Fashion Startups
Today’s fashion startups rely heavily on digital presence. A registered trademark adds SEO and branding advantages:
- Your brand name appears authentic in search engines.
- Customers searching for your clothing line are more likely to trust you.
- Trademarks help in creating consistent branding across websites, e-commerce platforms, and social media.
✅ Final Thoughts
Fashion startups have endless opportunities, but also face intense competition. Your designs, creativity, and marketing may make you visible—but only a trademark can make you secure.
Filing under Trademark Class 25 ensures that your clothing, footwear, and headgear products are legally protected from copycats, helping you build a brand that lasts.
🚀 Protect Your Fashion Startup with VMK Professionals
At VMK Professionals, we specialize in trademark filing for fashion startups. Our experts can:
- Conduct detailed trademark searches.
- File your application under Class 25.
- Handle objections and oppositions.
- Provide complete legal guidance until you get your registration certificate.
👉 Don’t let competitors steal your hard work.
📞 Contact VMK Professionals today and protect your fashion brand the smart way!