Clothing Trademark Class: Complete Guide to Class 25 Registration (2026)

If you design, manufacture, or sell clothing, footwear, or headgear under your own brand name, registering a trademark protects that name from being copied by competitors. The first step is identifying the correct trademark class, since filing under the wrong class can delay protection or leave your brand exposed. This guide explains what the clothing trademark class is, which related classes apparel brands should also consider, the documents needed, the step-by-step filing process, and the government fees involved.

What Is a Trademark Class?

Trademarks in India are registered under the Nice Classification, an international system that groups all goods and services into 45 classes — 34 classes for goods and 11 for services. Every trademark application must specify the class (or classes) that match the actual goods or services the brand sells. This classification determines the exact scope of legal protection a registered trademark receives.

Which Class Is the Clothing Trademark Class?

Class 25 is the trademark class for clothing, footwear, and headgear. Brands selling any of the following typically file under Class 25:

• Shirts, t-shirts, trousers, jeans, and dresses
• Jackets, coats, sweaters, and ethnic wear
• Innerwear, nightwear, and sportswear
• Footwear including shoes, sandals, and boots
• Headgear such as caps, hats, and turbans
• Belts, scarves, and gloves worn as clothing accessories

A Trademark Registered in Class 25 protects the brand name or logo specifically in relation to these apparel goods, not in unrelated categories like cosmetics or electronics.

Related Classes Clothing Brands Should Also Consider

Depending on how the business operates, a single Class 25 filing may not cover everything:

Many clothing brands file in both Class 25 and Class 35 to cover the product itself and the retail/online selling activity. A trademark expert can help decide whether a single class or a multi-class filing fits your business.

Why Choosing the Right Trademark Class Matters

Filing in the wrong class means your registration will not legally protect your brand for the goods you actually sell. If a competitor later launches a similar-sounding clothing brand and you were registered under an unrelated class, you cannot use that registration to stop them. Correct classification at the time of filing avoids costly re-filing, examination objections, and gaps in protection. See our detailed breakdown of consequences of not registering a brand name for more on what is at stake.

Documents Required to Register a Clothing Trademark

• Brand name and/or logo file (for a word mark, device mark, or combined mark)
• Applicant's PAN card and identity proof
• Business registration proof (GST Certificate, MSME/Udyam certificate, or incorporation certificate)
• DPIIT startup recognition certificate, if claiming the startup fee concession
• Signed Power of Attorney (Form TM-48) authorising the filing agent
• Proof of use, such as invoices or product images, if the mark is already in use

How to Register a Clothing Trademark Online: Step-by-Step Process

1. 1

   Conduct a Trademark Search

   Search the IP India trademark database for identical or similar marks already registered or applied for under Class 25 to reduce the risk of objection.

2. 2

   Confirm Class 25 (and Class 35, If Needed)

   Lock the correct class based on whether you manufacture clothing, sell it online, or both.

3. 3

   Choose Wordmark, Logo, or Combined Mark

   Decide whether to register just the brand name, just the logo, or both together as a combined mark.

4. 4

   Prepare Applicant and Brand Details

   Match applicant details with your business registration documents and decide whether to file as "proposed to be used" or "already in use."

5. 5

   File Form TM-A on the IP India Portal

   Submit the trademark application online with the selected class, brand details, and supporting documents.

6. 6

   Pay the Government Fee

   Pay the applicable government fee per class based on applicant type (individual/startup/MSME or company).

7. 7

   Respond to the Examination Report

   If the Registrar raises objections, file a written response or attend a show-cause hearing within the prescribed time.

8. 8

   Publication, Opposition Period, and Registration

   Once accepted, the mark is published in the Trademark Journal for opposition; if unopposed, the registration certificate is issued.

Government and Professional Fees for Class 25 Trademark

Government fees are prescribed under the Trade Marks Rules and may be revised by official notification. Our professional fee of ₹1,999 is charged separately and covers search, drafting, and filing assistance for one class.

Trademark Registration Timeline

Filing a trademark application takes minutes online, but the full registration process — including examination, publication, and the opposition window — typically takes 12 to 18 months if no objection or opposition is raised. You can start using the ™ symbol immediately after filing and switch to ® only once the certificate is issued.

Common Mistakes Clothing Brands Make While Filing

• Filing only in Class 25 while ignoring Class 35 for an online store or retail outlet
• Choosing a brand name that is descriptive of clothing (e.g. generic fabric or style terms), which is harder to register
• Skipping the Trademark Search step and getting an examination objection for similarity
• Using a logo with a generic clothing icon that is not distinctive enough to register
• Not protecting the brand name early, then facing it already taken by the time the business scales
• Confusing trademark protection with copyright registration for original logo artwork, which are separate forms of protection

Why Register Your Clothing Trademark With SetupFiling.in

Our trademark team specialises in apparel and fashion brand filings under Class 25, helping you pick the right class combination, draft an objection-resistant application, and track it through to the registration certificate. Browse our complete trademark registration service or read our guide to the trademark registration process for more detail before you file.

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