Trademark Class 26: Guide for Lace, Ribbons & Sewing Accessories in India

Did you know that products and services are grouped into different classes for the purpose of a trademark registration? Class 26 includes a variety of decorative and functional articles, particularly fabrics and accessories. This class is important for companies which trade with this type of goods to be registered if you wish to trade legally.

1. Lace and Embroidery

• Lace: Decorative fabric made of threads, often used in garments and home decor.
• Embroidery: Decorative stitching on fabric, which can be used for embellishing clothing, accessories, and home textiles.

2. Ribbons and Bows

• Ribbons: Narrow strips of fabric used for decoration, packaging, or tying.
• Bows: Decorative knots made from ribbons, often used in fashion and gift wrapping.

3. Buttons, Hooks, and Fasteners

• Buttons: Small fasteners used in clothing and accessories.
• Hooks and Fasteners: Items used to secure clothing or accessories, such as zippers and clasps.

4. Textile Products

• Textile Fabrics: Various types of woven or knitted fabrics used in clothing and home furnishings.
• Textile Labels: Tags attached to garments that provide information about the product.

5. Costume Accessories

• Hair Accessories: Items such as hairpins, hairbands, and clips.
• Costume Jewelry: Non-precious jewelry items that are often used for fashion purposes.

LIST

• appliqués [haberdashery]
• artificial flowers
• artificial fruit
• artificial garlands
• artificial plants
• badges for wear, not of precious metal
• beads, other than for making jewelry / beads, other than for making jewellery
• belt clasps
• binding needles
• birds’ feathers [clothing accessories]
• blouse fasteners / dress body fasteners
• bobbins for retaining embroidery floss or wool [not parts of machines]
• bodkins
• bows for the hair
• boxes for needles
• braids
• brassards / arm bands [clothing accessories]
• brooches [clothing accessories]
• buckles [clothing accessories]
• buttons*
• chenille [passementerie]
• collar supports
• competitors’ numbers
• cords for clothing
• cords for rimming, for clothing
• corset busks / whalebones for corsets
• darning needles
• darning lasts
• decorative articles for the hair
• edgings for clothing
• elastic ribbons
• embroidering crochet hooks
• embroidery / fancy goods [embroidery]
• expanding bands for holding sleeves
• eyelets for clothing
• false beards
• false hair
• false hems
• false moustaches
• fastenings for clothing
• fastenings for suspenders / fastenings for braces
• feathers [clothing accessories]
• festoons [embroidery]
• frills [lacework]
• frills for clothing
• fringes
• gold embroidery
• haberdashery*, except thread
• hair bands
• hair grips / bobby pins
• hair curling pins
• hair barrettes / hair slides
• hair pins
• hair nets
• hair colouring caps / hair coloring caps
• hair curling papers
• hair extensions
• hair curlers, other than hand implements
• hat ornaments, not of precious metal
• heat adhesive patches for repairing textile articles
• heat adhesive patches for decoration of textile articles [haberdashery]
• hook and pile fastening tapes
• hooks [haberdashery]
• hooks for corsets
• human hair
• knitting needles
• lace for edgings
• lace trimmings / passementerie
• letters for marking linen
• mica spangles
• monogram tabs for marking linen / numerals or letters for marking linen
• needle cushions
• needle cases
• needles*
• needles for wool combing machines
• numerals for marking linen
• ornamental novelty badges [buttons]
• ostrich feathers [clothing accessories]
• picot [lace]
• pin cushions
• pins, other than jewellery [jewelry (Am.)]
• plaited hair / tresses of hair
• prize ribbons
• reins for guiding children
• ribbons [haberdashery]
• rosettes [haberdashery]
• rug hooks
• saddlers’ needles
• sewing needles
• sewing boxes
• sewing thimbles
• shoe fasteners
• shoe hooks
• shoe laces
• shoe ornaments, not of precious metal
• shoe eyelets
• shoe buckles
• shoemakers’ needles
• shoulder pads for clothing
• shuttles for making fishing nets
• silver embroidery
• skirt flounces
• snap fasteners
• spangles for clothing
• tapes for curtain headings
• tassels [haberdashery]
• tinsels [trimmings for clothing] / orsedew [trimmings for clothing]
• top-knots [pompoms]
• toupees
• trimmings for clothing
• trouser clips for cyclists
• wigs
• woollen laces
• wreaths of artificial flowers
• zip fasteners / slide fasteners [zippers] / zippers
• zippers for bags / zip fasteners for bags

To provide a clearer understanding, here are some specific examples of goods that fall under Trademark Class 26:

• Lace trims for garments
• Embroidered patches for clothing
• Satin ribbons for gift wrapping
• Decorative buttons for fashion apparel
• Hair bows and clips
• Textile labels for clothing brands
• Hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro)

1. Brand Protection

For companies that produce or sell anything in Class 26, trademarking within this class is essential to preserve your brand. It’s to keep competitors from using similar marks that might be confusing to consumers.

2. Market Differentiation

Registered trademarks help companies to distinguish their products in a crowded marketplace. This is especially true in fashion and textile, where branding is a major factor in consumer decision-making.

3. Legal Rights

Registration of the trademark in class 26 gives the trademark owner the exclusive right to use it in relation to the listed products. This legal shield is crucial for enforcing rights against the infringers.

1. Conduct a Thorough Search

Before filing an application for trademark registration in Class 26, it is very important to do a complete search to make sure the chosen trademark is available. This will prevent any showdown later so consider it as an investment in peace of mind.

2. Choose a Distinctive Mark

Strong, unique trademarks are a prerequisite for successful registration. Steer clear of generic or descriptive names in order not to infringe others’ rights. A distinctive mark increases the likelihood of approval and offers better protection

3. Provide Accurate Descriptions

It is important, when applying for a trademark registration, to clearly describe and detail the goods in relation to the trademark. This clarity also aids the trademark office in determining what kind of protection is being sought.

4. Monitor and Enforce Your Trademark

After registration, actively monitor the market for potential infringements. Taking prompt action against unauthorized use of your trademark is essential for maintaining its validity and protecting your brand.

Trademark Class 26 covers items in the clothing and fashion industries, including textile and fabrics, accessories, and decorative articles. It is important for companies in these industries to comprehend the nuances of this category, as it facilitates the proper registration and protection the trademarks. Through optimal trademark registration, companies can protect their brand and improve their market share.