Trademark Class 2 in India covers paints, varnishes, lacquers, dyes, colourants, anti-corrosion coatings, wood stains, primers, and other surface-protecting materials used for industrial, decorative, and protective purposes. Every manufacturer, supplier, or distributor (if trademark owner/applicant) of paints and coating materials must identify and file under the correct class to secure full legal protection.
The Nice Classification (NCL), established under the 1957 Nice Agreement, is maintained globally by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It organizes all types of trademarks into 45 categories, with Classes 1–34 covering goods and Classes 35–45 covering services.
A brand can use a trademark class search tool to confirm the right class before filing and avoid rejections, refiling costs, and gaps in trademark coverage.
Latest Update: This guide reflects the NICE Classification 13th Edition (NCL 13-2026), effective 1 January 2026, for all new trademark applications in India.
Key Takeaways
- Trademark Class 2 in India covers paints, varnishes, lacquers, primers, pigments, dyes, and protective coatings under NCL 13-2026.
- It does NOT cover raw industrial chemicals (Class 1), cosmetic dyes (Class 3), stationery inks (Class 16), insulating paints (Class 17), or pre-coated finished goods (Class 20 / Class 28).
- Filing fees: ₹4,500 per class for individuals, DPIIT startups, and Udyam-registered MSMEs; ₹9,000 per class for companies, LLPs, and partnership firms (online via Form TM-A).
- Validity: 10 years from the date of application; renewable indefinitely in 10-year blocks via Form TM-R, with a 6-month grace period for late renewal on payment of a surcharge.
- Common rejection trigger: Descriptive brand names like “Paint,” “Color,” “Coat,” “Gloss” — often objected under Section 9(1)(b) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
- Multi-class strategy: Paint brands typically file Class 2 + Class 35 (retail/distribution) + Class 40 (custom colour-mixing services) for full coverage.
What is Trademark Class 2 in India?
Trademark Class 2 is a goods-based classification, meaning it protects the physical products your business manufactures, supplies, or distributes, not the services associated with applying them.
The Indian Trademark Registry evaluates Class 2 applications based on the nature and intended use of the goods, not their size, packaging, or price point.
For paint manufacturers, coating suppliers, and pigment producers in India, trademark registration under Class 2 provides:
- Exclusive legal rights over brand names and logos for paints and coating products.
- Legal grounds to act against counterfeiters and imitators.
- Protection across Indian and export markets.
- A registered brand asset that can be licensed or transferred.
Leading brands, including Asian Paints, Berger Paints, Nippon Paint, and Kansai Nerolac, hold Class 2 registrations in India.
Who Should Register Under Trademark Class 2?
Class 2 is the right choice if your business manufactures, supplies, or distributes any of the following goods:
- Paint and varnish manufacturers: Brands selling wall paints, enamel paints, oil-based paints, water-based paints, and decorative finishes.
- Primers and protective coating producers: Businesses offering metal primers, wood primers, anti-corrosion coatings, rust-proof paints, and weather-resistant coatings.
- Lacquer and finishing product manufacturers: Brands producing wood lacquers, furniture varnishes, epoxy coatings, and industrial finishing coatings.
- Pigment and colourant producers: Businesses manufacturing pigments for paints, printing inks, mordants, and decorative colourants.
- Wood stain and surface treatment brands: Companies offering wood stains, polish coatings, and decorative surface finishes.
- Spray paint and aerosol coating producers: Brands selling industrial, automotive, or decorative spray paints.
- Specialty coating manufacturers: Businesses producing fire-retardant, heat-resistant, chemical-resistant, or anti-UV coatings.
- D2C and online paint brands: Businesses selling paints and coatings directly to consumers through e-commerce platforms like Amazon or Flipkart.
- Suppliers and distributors of paints and coatings: Companies supplying paints, varnishes, dyes, and primers to contractors, retailers, or industrial buyers.
What are the Goods Covered Under Trademark Class 2?
Trademark Class 2 protects a wide range of paints, varnishes, coatings, and related materials used for decorative, industrial, and protective purposes.
The table below summarizes the key categories and examples:
| Category | Examples |
| Paints and Varnishes | Wall paints, enamel paints, oil-based paints, water-based paints, industrial paints, decorative coatings |
| Primers and Protective Coatings | Metal primers, wood primers, anti-corrosion coatings, rust-proof paints, weather-resistant coatings |
| Lacquers and Finishing Products | wood lacquers, furniture lacquers, clear coats, nitrocellulose lacquers, polyurethane lacquers, UV-cured lacquers |
| Pigments and Colourants | Pigments for paints, mordants for wood and leather, printing inks, toner, and marking ink for industrial or commercial purposes, dyestuffs for clothing, colourants for foodstuffs and beverages |
| Wood Stains and Surface Treatments | Wood stains, wood preservatives, anti-rust oils, polish coatings, decorative surface finishes |
| Paint Additives | Thinners, thickeners, fixatives, and siccatives for paints, varnishes, and lacquers |
| Spray Paints and Aerosol Coatings | Industrial spray paints, automotive spray paints, decorative aerosol paints |
| Specialty Coatings | Fire-retardant paints, heat-resistant coatings, chemical-resistant coatings, anti-UV paints |
| Industrial and Construction Coatings | Protective floor coatings, epoxy floor paints, machinery coatings, pipeline coatings |
| Decorative and Artistic Coatings | Decorative wall coatings, metallic finishes, artistic paint finishes, mural paints |
| Enamels and Powder Coatings | Industrial enamels, powdered paints for machinery or metal finishing |
| Anti-Fouling and Marine Coatings | Anti-fouling paints for ships, anti-rust coatings, corrosion-protective marine paints |
| Waterproofing and Sealant Coatings | Waterproofing coatings, sealing paints for construction or industrial surfaces |
| Chalkboard and Whiteboard Coatings | Chalkboard paints, whiteboard coatings, surface marking paints for industrial use |
| Raw Natural Resins and Metals | Unprocessed natural resins for lacquers and varnishes, metals in foil and powder form for painting and decorating |
Registering under the correct trademark class list ensures your products are fully protected and reduces the risk of objections during examination.
Which Products are Excluded from Trademark Class 2?
Class 2 excludes the following common items:
- Cosmetic dyes and personal-use paints: Products such as nail polish, body paints, hair dyes, and cosmetic coloring preparations fall under Class 3.
- Laundry blueing: Used in laundry and cleaning applications, laundry blueing belongs to Class 3, not Class 2.
- Mordants for metals: While mordants for wood and leather are covered under Class 2, mordants specifically for metals belong to Class 1.
- Industrial adhesives and unprocessed artificial resins: Industrial adhesives and unprocessed artificial resins fall under Class 1, not Class 2.
- Stationery inks and writing materials: Fountain pen inks, inks for stationery purposes, and paint boxes for school use belong to Class 16.
- Insulating paints and varnishes: Paints and varnishes used specifically for insulation purposes fall under Class 17, not Class 2.
- Semi-processed resins: Natural resins processed into pellets, rods, or bars belong to Class 17. Only raw, unprocessed natural resins fall under Class 2.
- Pre-finished and coated furniture: Finished furniture items with applied coatings belong to Class 20, not Class 2.
- Finished toys with applied paint: Completed toy products with applied paint finishes belong to Class 28.
Note: The most common misclassification errors for Class 2 involve mordants for metals (Class 1), insulating paints (Class 17), and stationery inks (Class 16). Always verify your specific product against the official NICE list before filing.
Trademark Class for Paint in India
The trademark class for paint in India is Class 2 under the NICE Classification. This applies to all paint variants — wall paints, enamel paints, oil-based paints, water-based paints, industrial paints, automotive paints, anti-corrosion paints, fire-retardant paints, and decorative finishes.
Paint brands that also offer related services or products often need multi-class protection:
- Class 35 — if you operate retail outlets, paint stores, or e-commerce platforms (Asian Paints’ “Beautiful Homes” stores)
- Class 37 — if you offer painting services, application services, or contractor networks
- Class 40 — if you provide custom colour-mixing or tinting services in-store
- Class 19 — only if you also manufacture non-metallic building materials (uncommon overlap)
Asian Paints, Berger Paints, and Kansai Nerolac all hold registrations across Class 2 + Class 35 + Class 40 to protect paint products, retail identity, and tinting services simultaneously.
How to Register a Trademark Under Class 2 in India?
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the trademark registration process under Class 2 in India:
1. Trademark Search
Before filing, verify whether a similar mark already exists under Class 2:
- Visit the Indian Trademark Registry online or use the RegisterKaro Trademark Search tool.
- Confirm Class 2 fits your goods using the trademark class search tool.
- Check the WIPO Global Brand Database for international conflicts.
- Review identical or similar marks and their current status.
2. Complete Filing Process
Follow the steps below to successfully register your Trademark under Class 2:
Step 1: Prepare the Application
Gather applicant details and finalize your trademark logo or wordmark. Draft a precise description of your goods under Class 2 using specific terms such as “anti-corrosion coatings” or “wood lacquers” rather than broad terms like “paints.” Note the date of first use if applicable.
Step 2: File Form TM-A
Submit Form TM-A online through the IP India e-filing portal. Ensure Class 2 is correctly selected and pay the prescribed government fee. You may use the ™ symbol immediately upon filing.
Step 3: Examination by the Trademark Office
The Trademark Examiner reviews your application for correct classification, distinctiveness, and conflicts with existing registered marks.
Step 4: Reply to the Examination Report
If objections are raised under Section 9 (absolute grounds) or Section 11 (relative grounds) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, file a written reply within 30 days. If further clarification is needed, a hearing notice is issued. A well-drafted trademark objection reply backed by legal arguments significantly improves acceptance chances.
Step 5: Publication in the Trademark Journal
Once accepted, the mark is published in the official Trademark Journal. Third parties have 4 months to file a Notice of Opposition. If no opposition is received, the mark proceeds to registration. If opposed, respond through professional trademark opposition defence.
Step 6: Registration and Certificate
Upon successful registration, the Indian Trademark Registry issues a Certificate of Registration, and you may begin using the ® symbol. A Class 2 trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of application under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, not from the date the certificate is issued. File Form TM-R for renewal in 10-year blocks. Renewal applications can be filed up to 6 months before expiry, and a 6-month grace period is allowed after expiry on payment of a surcharge before the mark is removed from the register. Monitor your brand regularly to act against trademark infringement.
Government fees applicable:
| Applicant Type | Fee Per Class (Online) | Fee Per Class (Physical) |
| 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 |
Fees apply per class at the time of filing Form TM-A. Professional fees, if engaged, are additional.
Note: Government fees are subject to change. Always verify the latest fee structure on the official IP India website before filing.
High-Risk Words That Get Class 2 Applications Rejected
Trademark examiners scrutinize Class 2 applications more aggressively than most goods classes because paint and coating brand names tend to be descriptive. The following word patterns face elevated rejection risk under Section 9(1)(b) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999:
- Generic descriptors: “Paint,” “Color,” “Coat,” “Gloss,” “Shine,” “Matte,” “Finish”
- Performance claims: “Anti-Rust,” “Weather-Proof,” “Long-Lasting,” “Durable,” “Eco” (these describe what the paint does)
- Colour names: “Royal Blue,” “Pearl White,” “Forest Green” used as primary brand names
- Combinations of common words: “Premium Coats,” “Best Paint Co.,” “True Color”
Safer brand-naming strategies for Class 2:
- Coined or invented names — e.g., Tractor Emulsion (Asian Paints), Royale (Asian Paints), Apcolite (Asian Paints)
- Suggestive names — names that hint at quality without describing it
- Owner/place-based names — Berger, Nerolac, Shalimar
- Distinctive prefixes/suffixes — adding a unique syllable to a common word (e.g., “Apex” Ultima)
Common Mistakes When Filing Under Class 2 and How to Avoid Them
Paint and coating businesses often face delays or limited protection due to avoidable filing errors. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
1. Filing Under the Wrong Class: Cosmetic dyes belong to Class 3, insulating varnishes to Class 17, mordants for metals to Class 1, and stationery inks to Class 16. Use the trademark class search tool to verify correct classification before filing.
2. Using Descriptive or Generic Brand Names: The Indian Trademark Registry examines Class 2 applications more carefully due to the descriptive nature of terms commonly used in this category. Trademark examiners frequently object to words like “Paint,” “Color,” “Coat,” and “Gloss” under Section 9(1)(b) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Choose a distinctive and unique brand name to avoid rejection.
3. Using Vague Product Descriptions: Broad terms like “paints” or “coating materials” frequently trigger objections. Use precise terms such as “anti-corrosion coatings for industrial use” or “wood lacquers for furniture finishing” to reduce objections and strengthen legal protection.
4. Skipping a Comprehensive Trademark Search: Search the Indian Trademark Registry and WIPO’s global database before filing to identify identical or phonetically similar marks in Class 2.
5. Submitting Incomplete Documentation: Review the complete list of documents required for trademark registration and double-check all details before submission.
6. Missing the Examination Report Deadline: Failing to reply within 30 days can result in abandonment. Respond to any trademark objection on time.
7. Ignoring Multi-Class Filing: Filing only under Class 2 may leave retail services (Class 35) or surface treatment services (Class 40) unprotected. File under all relevant classes from the outset.
Still unsure whether your paints, varnishes, or coating products are correctly classified under Class 2? Get expert guidance from RegisterKaro’s trademark specialists, from class verification to certificate issuance. Contact us today and protect your brand before a competitor does.
