What is Trademark Class 25? Clothing, Footwear & Headgear Guide

“Fashion fades, but identity stays.” In a world where trends change daily and copies appear overnight, protecting your brand becomes essential. Whether you sell handmade kurtas or launch a sneaker brand, securing a Class 25 trademark helps protect your identity.  

A notable example is the Louis Philippe vs Louis Phillippe case in the Delhi High Court. In this case, the court protected the original brand against a deceptively similar mark, highlighting the importance of legal protection for brand identity.

Every successful brand does this. While Nike guards its swoosh, Zara protects its name. Even rising D2C brands like Snitch or Bewakoof trademark their clothing lines early. Your label on a hoodie, sandal, or cap is your signature, and rightfully, it deserves protection.

That’s why understanding trademark Class 25 for clothing is essential for anyone in the apparel, footwear, or headgear industry. This guide helps you protect your brand on paper, in the market, and in your buyers’ minds. Let’s make sure your label stays yours, no matter how big you grow.

Overview of Trademark Class 25 in India

India uses the Nice Classification system to organize trademarks into 45 different classes. These classes of trademarks help businesses protect the specific products they sell. In the fashion industry, this classification plays a crucial role because similar-sounding brands often compete for the same customers.

This is where clothing class trademark protection under Class 25 comes into being. It covers all clothing, footwear, and headgear products, everything from shirts and sarees to sneakers and beanies. When you file your brand under Class 25 through a proper trademark registration, you secure exclusive rights over your fashion label. This prevents other businesses from using a confusingly similar name for similar apparel products.

This class of trademark:

• Protects all types of wearable products such as clothing, shoes, and headgear.
• Allows fashion brands to secure exclusive rights to their name, logo, or label.
• Prevents others from using identical or similar marks for similar apparel goods.
• Strengthens your legal position in case of counterfeiting or brand misuse.
• Supports brand expansion into new apparel categories under the same trademark.

By understanding Class 25, fashion brands can confidently safeguard their products and plan for future growth.

Who Should File Under Trademark Class 25?

Essentially, any business that creates, manufactures, sells, or markets fashion products should file under Class 25, also known as the Garments Trademark Class. Filing under the trademark class for clothing ensures your brand stays secure as you expand your product range and plan for future growth.

You should file under Class 25 if you operate in any of the following segments:

• Clothing Brands: Whether you sell casual wear, ethnic wear, streetwear, or luxury apparel, you need protection under this class.
• Footwear Companies: Manufacturers and retailers of sneakers, boots, sandals, or sports shoes fall directly under Class 25.
• Headgear Businesses: Brands selling caps, hats, turbans, beanies, or non-protective fashion helmets should file here.
• Boutiques & Designers: Independent fashion designers and boutique owners should protect their brand identity before launching new collections.
• Sportswear & Athleisure Brands: Companies offering activewear, yoga wear, gym wear, or performance outfits need Class 25 protection.
• Kidswear, Menswear, & Womenswear Labels: Any brand selling category-specific clothing also belongs in this class.
• Uniform Manufacturers: Businesses producing school, corporate, or industrial uniforms should secure their trademark here.
• E-commerce Apparel Stores: Online clothing sellers must complete a trademark registration for e-commerce sellers under this class to prevent imitation.

A Class 25 trademark protects your brand as you expand, collaborate, and introduce new product lines.

Goods Covered Under Trademark Class 25

Trademark Class 25 covers a wide range of wearable products. If your business creates or sells anything people can wear, this class most likely includes it. The coverage is broad and protects clothing, footwear, headgear, and several specialty items. 

Below is the Class 25 trademark list:

1. Clothing

Class 25 protects almost every type of apparel people wear daily or occasionally. Trademark Class for Clothing includes:

• T-shirts, shirts, tops, and blouses
• Trousers, jeans, shorts, and skirts
• Sarees, kurtas, ethnic wear, and other traditional outfits
• Jackets, coats, hoodies, and sweaters
• Lingerie, nightwear, shapewear, and innerwear
• Sportswear, swimwear, gym wear, and activewear
• Gloves, socks, leggings, and stockings
• Raincoats, robes, and costumes
• Leather clothing and specialty outfits
• Bathrobes, dressing gowns, and baby clothes
• Winter wear like mufflers, shawls, and stoles
• Ready-made linings, detachable sleeves, and fashion wristbands
• Neckties, bow ties, and scarves
• Bibs (not made of paper), pocket-squares, and ready-made linings

Brands like H&M, FabIndia, Zara, Roadster, Biba, Nike, and Puma operate in these segments and rely on Class 25 protection to secure their clothing lines.

2. Footwear

Class 25 also serves as the primary footwear trademark class for brands selling anything from basic slippers to premium performance shoes, including:

• Sneakers, running shoes, and sports footwear
• Sandals, slippers, flip-flops, and casual footwear
• Boots, formal shoes, loafers, and fashion shoes
• Safety shoes
• Climbing shoes, ski boots, and beach footwear
• Inner soles, heel pieces, welts, and fittings for shoes
• Tips, spikes, and accessories for footwear
• Non-electric footmuffs

Popular footwear brands in India, such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Bata, Woodland, and Red Tape, use trademark classes for footwear to protect their brand identity.

3. Headgear

This class covers protective and fashion-oriented headwear used in day-to-day wear or specific activities. It includes:

• Caps, hats, and beanies
• Turbans, bandanas, and head wraps
• Berets, headscarves, and head shawls
• Fashion helmets (non-protective ones)
• Paper hats are intended as garments
• Headbands and hoods attached to clothing

Headgear brands like New Era, Puma, Adidas, Steelbird, Vega, and FabIndia rely on Class 25 to safeguard their hats, caps, and fashion headwear.

Note: Protective helmets fall under Class 9, not Class 25. Ensure that you file in the correct class to get proper trademark protection.

4. Niche & Specialty Apparel

Class 25 also covers unique and professional clothing categories, such as:

• Dancewear, yoga wear, and stage costumes
• Uniforms for schools, corporations, and industries
• Martial arts uniforms (karate, judo, taekwondo)
• Designer wear and limited-edition fashion outfits
• Fancy dress costumes and masquerade costumes

Brands in India, such as Decathlon, Allen Solly Junior, Peter England uniforms, and Sabyasachi, use Class 25 to protect their niche and specialty apparel.

By covering such a wide variety of wearable items, Trademark Class 25 gives fashion brands strong, flexible, and comprehensive protection.

Items Not Covered Under Trademark Class 25

While Class 25 covers a wide range of wearable products, some items are not included and fall under other trademark classes. 

These include:

• Raw fabrics, textiles, cloth, yarn, and thread
• Accessories, haberdashery, fasteners, and decorative items, such as buttons, zippers, ribbons, buckles, and hatbands 
• Leather goods, handbags, luggage, and animal clothing
• Protective or specialized clothing, footwear, or headgear. These include safety helmets, medical scrubs, orthopedic footwear, fire-resistant clothing, and industrial safety gear 
• Electrically heated garments or footmuffs
• Electronic or smart wearables, such as smart shoes or smart clothing 
• Pet wear, doll clothing, and toy costumes 
• Paper bibs
• Masks for performance or protective use
• Clothing accessories not worn directly, such as detachable ornaments or non-fashion embellishments
• Footwear components that are not wearable alone, like shoelaces sold separately, and shoe soles for manufacturing

Brands like Vardhman Textiles, Hidesign, 3M, and Bata Safety Shoes operate in these categories outside Class 25.

Note: Masks used for fashion or styling fall under Class 25. However, protective, medical, or performance masks fall under Class 10 or 28.

Knowing what Class 25 does not cover is just as important as knowing what it does. This is because filing incorrectly can:

• Delay registration if the trademark office requires a correction or reclassification.
• Limit your legal protection, leaving some products exposed.
• Create disputes if someone else registers a similar mark in the correct class.

By understanding these boundaries, your brand secures the right protection from the start, avoiding unnecessary costs, time delays, and legal conflicts.

Importance of Choosing the Right Trademark Class

Choosing the correct trademark class is a critical step for any fashion brand. Filing in the right class ensures your brand receives full legal protection for the products you sell. Selecting the wrong class can create gaps in protection or trigger legal challenges.

Here’s why it matters:

• Avoid rejection or delays: Filing under the wrong class prompts objections from the trademark office and slows down registration.
• Secure exclusive rights: Correct classification guarantees that no one else can use a confusingly similar mark in your product category.
• Prevent disputes: Proper classification reduces the risk of legal conflicts with other brands.
• Support brand expansion: When you launch new products or categories, starting with the right class makes adding related classes easier.
• Build customer trust: A registered trademark signals professionalism and authenticity, which strengthens brand reputation.
• Strengthen enforcement: Proper classification makes it easier to enforce your rights in case of infringement.
• Save costs in the long run: Avoid repeated filings or corrections due to misclassification.
• Maintain brand consistency: Registering in the right class ensures all your apparel and fashion products are protected under one clear legal identity.

For fashion entrepreneurs, understanding Class 25 and its scope ensures that your brand identity is fully protected. Many Indian brands have faced real-world conflicts over clothing trademarks. 

For instance, Aditya Birla Fashion has challenged local retailers for using similar marks, whereas Puma has acted against copycat brands like “Pumah.” These examples show why accurate classification and registration under Class 25 are essential to prevent costly legal battles and protect brand identity.

How to File a Trademark Under Class 25 in India?

Registering a trademark under Class 25 is essential to protect your clothing, footwear, and headgear brand in India. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you register a Class 25 trademark:

Step 1: Conduct a Trademark Search

• Check if your brand name or logo already exists in Class 25.
• Use the Indian Trademark Registry database or online search tools. 
• Prevents conflicts and reduces the risk of trademark objections.

Timeline: 1-3 days

Tip: Use RegisterKaro’s free trademark search tool to check if your brand name or logo is already registered.

Step 2: Define Your Products Clearly

• List the exact goods your brand covers, such as shirts, sneakers, or caps.
• Provide precise product descriptions to avoid misclassification.
• Ensures your trademark protects all relevant items.

Timeline: 1-2 days

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

• Include the brand name or logo.
• Add owner details (individual or company).
• Mention the class number (Class 25) and description of goods.
• Provide the date of first use in commerce, if applicable.
• File online through Form TM-A or submit physically to the Trademark Office.

Timeline: 1-2 days

Step 4: Examination by the Trademark Office

• The registry reviews your application for compliance.
• Possible outcomes: acceptance, objections, or requests for clarification.
• Respond promptly to any office actions to improve chances of approval.

Timeline: 3-6 months

Step 5: Publication in the Trademark Journal

• Accepted trademarks are published in the Trademark Journal.
• Others have four months to oppose registration if they believe it infringes their rights.

Timeline: 4 months for the opposition period

Step 6: Registration and Certificate Issuance

• If no trademark opposition arises (or if resolved in your favor), the registry issues the registration certificate.
• Trademark rights are protected under Class 25 for ten years.
• Renewal is possible indefinitely.

Timeline: 6-12 months

Step 7: Maintain and Enforce Your Trademark

• Use the “®” symbol on your products to indicate registration.
• Monitor the market for potential infringements.
• Take action when necessary to maintain brand integrity.

Timeline: Ongoing

Class 25 trademark cost involves government fees and professional fees (depending on whether you file through an expert). Government fees are as follows:

• Rs. 4,500: For individual / startup / MSME applicants
• Rs. 9,000: For company / LLP / partnership

Protect your brand today! Register your Class 25 trademark quickly and easily with RegisterKaro to ensure your brand stays secure in India’s competitive market.

Wrapping Up

Protecting your fashion brand is essential. Trademark Class 25 secures your clothing, footwear, and headgear, keeping your brand identity safe. Understanding what Class 25 covers, what it does not, and the registration process helps you avoid delays and disputes. Many businesses also file under trademark Class 35 to protect their retail, online sales, and business services. This ensures full coverage of both products and commercial operations. 

Choosing the right class strengthens your brand and builds customer trust.

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