Trademark Class 16 under the NICE Classification covers goods made of paper and cardboard, printed matter, bookbinding materials, photographs, stationery, office requisites (except furniture), adhesives for stationery or household use, art and drawing supplies, paintbrushes, instructional and teaching materials, plastic sheets/films/bags for packaging, and printers’ type and blocks. Brands such as notebooks, books, magazines, paper bags, pens, art supplies, and educational materials are registered under this class. The government fee is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups, and MSMEs and ₹9,000 per class for companies and partnership firms.
Class 16 is one of the 45 classes under the NICE Classification (NCL), an international system maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the Nice Agreement, 1957. India adopts this classification under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Brands looking to protect paper-based products, printed publications, and packaging materials should file their trademark under Class 16.
This guide explains everything about Trademark Class 16 in India, what it covers, what is excluded, who should file under it, and how to register step by step.
Latest Update: This guide reflects the NICE Classification 13th Edition (NCL 13-2026), effective from 1 January 2026 for all new trademark applications in India. Applications filed before this date remain governed by NCL 12-2025.
What is Trademark Class 16?
Trademark Class 16 covers goods primarily made of paper and related materials. This includes paper, cardboard, printed matter, bookbinding materials, stationery, and office requisites. Supplements for stationery, artists’ materials, paintbrushes, packaging films, printing type, and printing blocks are also included in this category.
One real-world example is the “Classmate” stationery brand, owned by ITC, which is registered under Class 16 for notebooks, pens, geometry boxes, and other paper-based school supplies. Several other leading Indian and global brands are also registered under Class 16, including:
- Camlin (Kokuyo Camlin) — pens, pencils, art supplies
- Reynolds, Cello, Linc — pens and writing instruments
- Faber-Castell, Apsara, Doms — pencils, erasers, sharpeners
- Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Bloomsbury — books and printed publications
- Hallmark, Archies — greeting cards
Trademark registration under Class 16 gives these brands the exclusive right to use their names, logos, and packaging in connection with paper-based and printed goods, and to take legal action against any third party that uses a similar mark for the same category of goods.
What are the Goods Covered in Trademark Class 16?
Trademark Class 16 includes a wide range of products related to paper, printing, stationery, and office use. Breaking it down into categories helps to understand the scope clearly.
1. Paper and Paper Products
Paper products are widely used in offices, schools, and businesses. Trademark Class 16 protects the following items to secure your brand:
- Writing paper
- Cardboard
- Envelopes
- Tracing paper
- Paper bags
- Filters (Paper filters, Coffee filter paper)
2. Printed Matter
Printed materials are key for marketing, publishing, and communication. Registering your brand ensures legal protection of the following printed goods:
- Books
- Magazines
- Periodicals
- Brochures
- Flyers
- Posters
3. Stationery Items
Stationery products are essential for offices, schools, and personal use. Class 16 is a trademark class for stationery items that safeguards their brand identity. The following items are included in the stationery classification:
- Pens
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Notebooks
- Diaries
- Files
- Paper clips
- Folders
4. Office Supplies and Requisites
Office tools and equipment fall under Trademark Class 16. Trademark registration prevents unauthorized use of your brand for the goods listed below:
- Typewriters
- Duplicators
- Staplers
- Adhesives for office or household use
5. Artists’ Materials and Drawing Supplies
Art and drawing supplies are included in Trademark Class 16. Protecting these products helps creative brands stay secure.
- Paintbrushes
- Sketch pads
- Watercolours (Paintbrushes, Sketch pads)
- Modelling clay
6. Packaging Materials
Packaging items like bags and sheets are covered under Trademark Class 16. Trademark registration secures your brand’s identity on packaging products such as:
- Plastic sheets
- Sacks
- Bags for wrapping and packaging
Below is a brief table to summarize the goods covered under class 16:
| Product Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Stationery | Notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, files, and diaries |
| Printed Materials | Books, magazines, brochures, flyers, posters, periodicals |
| Paper & Paper Products | Writing paper, cardboard, envelopes, tracing paper, paper bags |
| Packaging | Paper bags, cartons, wrapping sheets, plastic packaging films |
| Educational Materials | Workbooks, charts, manuals, instructional materials |
| Artists’ Supplies | Sketchpads, paints, paintbrushes, modelling clay, watercolours |
| Printing & Bookbinding | Printing blocks, printers’ type, bookbinding materials, adhesives |
| Office Requisites | Staplers, paper clips, folders, typewriters, duplicators |
Choosing the right class from the trademark class list helps secure legal protection for your brand. It also reduces the risk of trademark conflicts. Proper registration of a trademark under Class 16 ensures long-term brand safety. It supports growth in both domestic and global markets.
What is Not Covered in Trademark Class 16?
Many people often confuse certain goods as part of Trademark Class 16. This happens because these items relate to printing, writing, or packaging. However, not all products are covered under class 16 of trademarks. Understanding these exclusions helps avoid wrong classification and rejection.
Goods Not Covered Under Class 16:
- Digital publications: Such as eBooks and PDF files. These fall under Class 9 because they are electronic content.
- Furniture items: Items like desks, chairs, and storage units. These are covered under Class 20.
- Hand tools for artists: Goods such as carving tools and sculpting instruments. These belong to Class 8.
- Non-paper packaging items: Items that are made of glass, metal, or ceramic. These fall under Class 21.
- Electronics and printing machines: Items that are not manual in nature. These are classified under other relevant classes.
- Advertising services and publishing services: These services fall under Class 35 or Class 41; they are not goods.
- Digital printing software: These goods are classified under Class 9, not trademark Class 16.
- Photographic equipment: Goods like cameras and lenses fall under Class 9.
- Plastic containers and storage boxes: The goods are not meant for paper packaging. These belong to Class 21.
- Industrial printing machines and presses: These goods fall under Class 7.
- Educational services: Services like training or coaching fall under Class 41.
Who Should Choose Class 16 for Trademark Filing?
Businesses should apply for Trademark Class 16 if they deal in physical paper-based products such as stationery, printed books, or paper packaging. This class fits manufacturers, publishers, printers, and stationery brands seeking legal protection for tangible printed goods.
1. Stationery brands: Stationery brands that sell pens, notebooks, files, and paper products fall under Trademark Class 16. These products are used daily in offices, schools, and homes.
2. Publishers and book producers: Publishers and book producers who deal in books, magazines, and other printed content should choose Class 16.
3. Office supplies distributors: Office supplies distributors handle items like stationery and workplace materials, which are included in Class 16.
4. Packaging manufacturers: Packaging materials covered under Class 16 include paper, cardboard, and certain plastic sheets, films, and bags used for wrapping and packaging.
5. Educational material suppliers: Educational material suppliers offer printed learning and teaching tools. These include books, charts, and study materials.
If your business works with paper, printing, or stationery goods, Class 16 is the right choice. Correct filing ensures strong trademark protection. It supports long-term brand growth. It also avoids legal disputes and extra costs.
When to Use Multiple Classes Along With Class 16?
Choose Trademark Class 16 when your business deals only with physical paper, stationery, or printed goods. This class works best if all your products clearly fall under paper-based items. It keeps filing simple and also reduces costs. Other related items or close substitutes cannot be registered under the same class if they do not fall into the same category.
| Business Scenario | Recommended Classes |
|---|---|
| Physical stationery and printed materials only | Class 16 |
| Digital books, e-books, or downloadable content, alongside printed books | Class 16 + Class 9 |
| Educational or training materials alongside printed goods | Class 16 + Class 41 |
| Stationery brand with retail / e-commerce operations | Class 16 + Class 35 |
| Printed packaging + non-paper (plastic/glass) packaging | Class 16 + Class 21 |
| Publishing house with online publishing and educational services | Class 16 + Class 9 + Class 41 |
| Future-ready filing across goods and services | Class 16 + relevant additional classes |
Each class is examined independently by the Trade Marks Registry, and government fees are charged per class. For complete details on all 45 classes, refer to the trademark class list in India.
How to Register a Trademark Under Class 16 in India?
Registering a trademark under Class 16 involves a detailed process. Following the correct process reduces rejection risk and also saves time and cost.
1. Trademark Search
A trademark search is the first and most important step. It helps you check if a similar mark already exists. This avoids conflicts later.
Step-by-step search guidance:
- Check the IP India Trademark Public Search portal or use a professional trademark search service for a more comprehensive conflict analysis across all relevant classes. Public search alone may not capture phonetic similarities or device-mark conflicts that an experienced searcher can identify.
- Select Class 16 from the goods category.
- Enter your brand name or keyword.
- Check for identical or similar trademarks.
- Review status like registered, objected, or abandoned.
This step helps you decide if your brand is safe to file. It also reduces the chances of objection.
2. Complete Filing Process
After completing the trademark search, you can begin the filing process under Trademark Class 16. The application is submitted to the Indian Trademark Registry. The process follows a fixed legal flow.
Step-by-step filing process includes:
Step 1: Prepare the Application
Collect applicant details like name and address. Finalize the trademark logo or wordmark. List goods clearly under Class 16. Mention the date of first use if applicable.
Step 2: File Form TM-A
Submit Form TM-A online through the trademark portal. Choose Class 16 correctly. Pay the prescribed government fee. The fee starts from Rs. 4,500 for individuals and startups.
Step 3: Application Number Allotment
Once filed, you receive an application number. You can use the ™ symbol immediately after filing the application.
Use the ® symbol only after the trademark is officially registered. This shows your claim over the mark.
Step 4: Examination by Trademark Office
The Trademark Examiner reviews the application. They check classification, distinctiveness, and conflicts. This stage may take a few months.
Step 5: Reply to the Examination Report
If the examiner raises objections, you must file a reply within the prescribed time. Proper response improves approval chances. In India, you get 30 days from the date of receipt to file a reply. If you miss this deadline, the application may get abandoned.
If the trademark examiner is not satisfied with the written reply, a hearing notice may be issued. The hearing date is specified in the notice, and the applicant (or their authorized agent) must appear before the Registrar on the scheduled date. A well-prepared trademark objection reply and effective representation at the hearing significantly improve the chances of moving the application to publication.
Step 6: Publication in Trademark Journal
If accepted, the mark is published in the Trademark Journal. From the date of publication, the public has 4 months to file a Notice of Opposition under Sections 21–22 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. If a third party files an opposition, the applicant must defend the application through counter-statements, evidence, and hearings, a process supported through professional trademark opposition defence. If no opposition is filed within 4 months, the application proceeds to registration.
Step 7: Registration and certificate
If no opposition is filed, the trademark gets registered. The government fee is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups, and MSMEs. Other entities, including companies and LLPs, pay ₹9,000 per class.
This fee applies per class. Suppose you file under Class 16 and Class 35 together, you pay the applicable fee for each. The fee is paid online at the time of submitting Form TM-A on the IP India portal (ipindiaonline.gov.in).
Once the trademark is entered in the Register of Trademarks, a digitally signed trademark registration certificate is issued to the applicant. The registered trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of filing and can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year cycles by filing Form TM-R. The complete Class 16 registration process typically takes 6 to 18 months, depending on objections and oppositions.
Note: Government fees are subject to change. Always verify the latest fees on the official IP India website.
3. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
Many trademark applications get delayed or rejected due to small but common mistakes. Understanding these errors helps improve approval chances and also saves time and cost.
Common errors include:
- Choosing the wrong trademark class: Applicants often select Class 16 for products that belong to other classes. Use a trademark class search tool to verify the correct class before filing.
- Incomplete or vague goods description: Using broad terms like “paper items” or “office products” can cause objections. The Trademark Office expects clear and specific descriptions. Mention exact goods such as notebooks, printed books, or stationery items.
- Incorrect ownership or applicant details: Wrong applicant name or missing business details can delay registration. The trademark must be filed in the correct owner’s name. Any mismatch may cause legal issues later. Always double-check applicant information before filing.
Trademark Class 16 Filing Fees in India
| Applicant Type | Online Filing (Per Class) | Physical Filing (Per Class) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Startup (with DPIIT recognition) | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| MSME (with Udyam registration) | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Company / LLP / Partnership Firm | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
These are statutory government fees under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Professional or agent fees, if applicable, are additional. A multi-class application (e.g., Class 16 + Class 35) attracts the per-class fee × number of classes.
Trademark Class 16 protects paper-based products, printed publications, stationery, and packaging materials, a category that includes some of India’s most recognised consumer brands. For stationery makers, publishers, packaging companies, and educational suppliers, filing under Class 16 is the foundational step in securing exclusive rights to a brand name, logo, or slogan. Founders should also evaluate whether parallel filings in Class 9 (digital content), Class 21 (non-paper packaging), Class 35 (retail), or Class 41 (educational services) are needed based on product expansion plans. To explore broader brand protection strategies, review the full trademark registration process.
