Trademark Class 22 Explained: Ropes, Nets & Textile Products

Trademarks are devices (names, logos and slogans) which enable customers to identify goods/services with a particular source. When a trademark is registered in India, the owner has the legal right to use the same for the distinct goods or services it is registered. It guards against cheaters copying your brand and provides added value. Classes of Trademarks in India Trademarks in India are identified under the Nice Classification of goods and services. Classes 1-34 are for goods, classes 35-45 are service categories. Class 22 is for example, one of the product classes. (For a full table of classes, see this page about Kaagzaat’s Indian trademark classes.

Class 22 specifically covers “Ropes, string, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks and bags (not included in other classes); padding and stuffing materials (except of rubber or plastics); raw fibrous textile materials”. In simpler terms, this means Class 22 includes items made of textile or similar fibers used for tying, packaging, covering, or filling. Typical examples are ropes and cords, fishing or cargo nets, camping tents and tarpaulins, sacks and flexible bags, and padding/stuffing fibers. These products are usually non-metallic and non-rigid. For instance, Class 22 covers canvas sail material and jute ropes, as well as fiber stuffing for upholstery.

• animal hair
• awnings of textile
• awnings of synthetic materials
• bags [sacks] for the transport and storage of materials in bulk
• bags for washing hosiery
• binding thread, not of metal, for agricultural purposes
• bindings, not of metal
• body bags
• braces, not of metal, for handling loads / harness, not of metal, for handling loads
• brattice cloth
• cables, not of metal
• camel hair
• canvas for sails
• car towing ropes
• carbon fibers [fibres] for textile use
• carded wool
• coconut fiber [fibre] / coconut fiber / coconut fibre
• cocoons
• combed wool
• cords for hanging pictures
• raw cotton
• cotton tow
• cotton waste [flock] for padding and stuffing
• covers for camouflage
• down [feathers]
• eiderdown
• esparto grass
• feathers for bedding
• feathers for stuffing upholstery
• raw fibrous textile
• fibrous gaskets for ships
• fishing nets
• fleece wool
• flock [stuffing]
• glass fibers [fibres] for textile use
• grasses for upholstering
• hammocks
• hemp
• hemp bands
• horsehair
• jute
• kapok
• ladder tapes for venetian blinds / ladder tapes or webbing for venetian blinds
• liber
• raw linen [flax]
• linters
• mail bags
• net pens for fish farming
• nets for camouflage
• nets*
• network
• outdoor blinds of textile
• packing [cushioning, stuffing] materials, not of rubber, plastics, paper or cardboard
• packing string
• packing rope
• padding materials, not of rubber, plastics, paper or cardboard / stuffing, not of rubber, plastics, paper or cardboard
• plastic fibers [fibres] for textile use
• purse seines
• raffia
• ramie fibre
• rope ladders
• ropes, not of metal
• ropes*
• sacks [bags] of textile, for packaging / bags [envelopes, pouches] of textile, for packaging
• sails
• sails for ski sailing
• sash cords
• sawdust
• schappe [raw silk waste] / silk waste
• seaweed for stuffing
• sheaf-binding yarns
• shorn wool
• raw silk
• silk flock
• sisal
• slings, not of metal, for handling loads
• snares [nets]
• straps, not of metal, for handling loads / belts, not of metal, for handling loads
• straw for stuffing upholstery
• straw wrappers for bottles / bottle envelopes of straw / packing, of straw, for bottles
• string
• strips for tying-up vines
• tarpaulins
• tents
• textile fibers [fibres] / textile fibers / textile fibres
• thread, not of metal, for wrapping or binding
• tow
• twine made of paper
• twine for nets
• upholstery wool [stuffing]
• vehicle covers, not fitted
• vitreous silica fibers [fibres] for textile use
• wadding for filtering
• wadding for padding and stuffing upholstery
• wax ends
• whipcord
• wood shavings
• wood wool
• wool flock
• raw or treated wool
• wrapping or binding bands, not of metal

The table below summarizes the main categories of Class 22 goods with representative items and their uses:

Businesses that need Class 22 products include agriculture, construction, fishing, outdoor equipment, packaging and other industries. There are ropes and jute sacks on farms; there are tarpaulins on building sites. You help to defend your business name or logo from being associated with items in the same class when you trade mark a name or logo for your company in Class 22. Goods that fall within Class 22 include “pliable, non-metallic goods for packing, wrapping, transporting and outdoor use, and goods made of weaving materials,” according to one guidance note.

Registering a Class 22 trademark can be especially important for companies in sectors like farming equipment, fishing gear, tent manufacturing, textile fibers, and packaging. In these fields, many products (e.g. plain ropes or bags) look similar, so a strong trademark helps distinguish your brand. A registered trademark signals quality and builds consumer trust. For instance, a farming cooperative selling rice might use ropes and sacks with its trademarked logo; registration protects that logo on Class 22 goods and stops competitors from using a confusingly similar name.

Key benefits of trademark registration include: Exclusive right to use the mark on your goods, a legal presumption of ownership, and deterrence of copycats. In practical terms, once registered, Class 22 trademarks become valuable business assets. They can be licensed or sold and add goodwill to the company. As a recent legal guide notes, registration “grants the owner exclusive rights” and “deters potential infringers”, which is crucial for any brand in competitive sectors like textiles or outdoor goods. Companies with Class 22 products would thus do well to secure trademarks early. (For expert guidance on trademark filing, many businesses consult professional Kaagzaat trademark services.)

Registering a trademark in India involves several stages. Below is a summary of the step-by-step process along with typical timeframes and costs:

Trademark Search (Pre-filing): Before filing, conduct a search of the Indian Trademark database to check if similar marks exist, especially in Class 22. A thorough search (using the IP India portal or private tools) helps avoid conflicts and objections. This step takes a few days.

Filing the Application (TM-A): Prepare Form TM-A with details of the applicant (individual or company), a clear representation of the mark (word/logo), and a precise list of the goods (specify Class 22 and items). You can file online (e-filing) or physically. The official filing fee per class is ₹4,500 (for individuals/startups/MSMEs) or ₹9,000 (for other applicants). On filing, you receive an immediate Application Number, and protection begins from that date.

Formal Examination: Within about 3–6 months, the Trademarks Registry examines your application. The examiner checks compliance with the law (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, etc.). If there are any deficiencies (e.g. incomplete form, unclear mark), a Formality Report is issued to be corrected within one month.

Substantive Examination: The examiner also checks for conflicts or objections. If your mark is too descriptive (e.g. “SUPER ROPE” might be objected for being generic) or similar to an existing mark, an Examination Report is issued. You must respond within one month (another one-month extension is available) with arguments or evidence. Failure to reply leads to abandonment. (If needed, the examiner may call a hearing.)

Publication in the Trademark Journal: If the examiner has no objections (or all objections are resolved), the trademark is accepted and published in the official Trademark Journal. This typically happens around 8–10 months after filing if all goes smoothly. The Journal publication starts a 4-month opposition window.

Opposition Period: Any third party can oppose your mark within four months of publication. If opposed, you must file a counter-statement. The Registrar may hold a hearing. This opposition process can add several months (depending on case complexity). If no opposition is filed, or any filed opposition is decided in your favor, your mark moves to registration.

Registration Certificate: If all goes well, the Registrar issues the Registration Certificate, granting you exclusive rights in Class 22. The entire process typically takes around 12–18 months from filing.
The table below summarizes these steps and timelines:

When applying in Class 22, avoid these common pitfalls:

• Poor Search or Wrong Class: Skipping a proper search often leads to conflicts. Also, ensure you’ve chosen Class 22 correctly. Do not misclassify goods (e.g. leather bags belong to Class 18, not Class 22).
  Vague or Overbroad Specifications: Be precise in listing your goods. For Class 22, only include genuine Class 22 items. Overbroad or unclear descriptions may trigger objections.
• Descriptive Marks: Trademarks that merely describe the goods (like “Soft Stuffing” for padding) are often refused. Aim for distinctive names or logos.
• Incomplete Documentation: Ensure Form TM-A is filled correctly with all required attachments (e.g. Power of Attorney, proof of use if required). A missing digital signature or incorrect applicant details can cause delays.
• Ignoring Office Actions: If the examiner issues a report, reply promptly (within one month). Many applications are abandoned simply because the applicant missed the reply deadline.
• Mark Usage: Use your mark correctly. In India, you may mark a pending application with “™” and only use “®” (registered symbol) after official registration. Falsely claiming a mark is registered is an offense.
• Legal Assistance: Consider hiring a trademark attorney or using professional services. For example, Kaagzaat trademark services offers expertise to strengthen applications and avoid errors. Engaging a specialist can save time and increase the chances of acceptance

There are some very successful trademark registrations in Class 22 over at you of companies. Here are a few examples:

Kohinoor Ropes Pvt. Ltd.Ropes in the name under the mark “KOHINOOR ROPES NETS CORDAGES” in class 22 for plastic and polypropylene ropes and nets. Their UK Trade Mark application (No. 55925/Sept 2022) is “Accepted & advertised” on the UK Trade Marks Registry in Class 22.

Kassim Nets:  A fishnet manufacturer from India. They filed the mark “KASSIM NETS” for ropes, string, nets for fishing (filed Jan 2015). The certificate is valid through 2035.

Raymond Group: Amongst the oldest fabric and garment manufacturers in India. It has its connotations most apparently with a garment, but Raymond has Class 22 registrations for raw textiles fibers and the like (textiles saunter across a number of classes).

Reliance (Recron): A polyester fiber manufacturer, ( Recron is a Reliance brand) which holds trademarks to synthetics used in upholstery, textiles.

Coleman (USA): Famous maker of camping equipment. (The foreign filings by Coleman for tents and outdoor shelters (Class 22) — which I found for many countries — suggest that mainstream camping brands protect their tent designs in many countries, too.)

These cases show how diverse Class 22 marks can be: from company ID’s to fanciful trade names on ropes, nets, bags and tents. Instead, they stress that businesses in industries like fishing, camping gear, packaging or fiber supply need to get their own trademarks if they want to stay in the clear.

Where a trademark is registered, subsequently only the proprietor will have the right to use it in relation to the goods for which it is registered. As far as remedies are concerned they are :— Civil and Criminal Under the Indian law:

Remedies: Trademark holders can take infringers to court. Defendants can be restrained from using and damages including account of profits can be awarded in Courts (District Courts or High Court). For instance a court is empowered under the Trade Marks Act to issue an injunction and an order for removal of goods infringing the mark (section 134). 27 Requirement of Registration forInfringement Suits The need for physical identity is a simpleone under the Lanham Act, as represented by the registrationrequirement imposed by §27. ‎ (Unregistered brands cannot, under statute, be protected from copying.)

Punishment for counterfeiting: Furthermore, the Act makes counterfeiters liable to criminal prosecution. To do so is a criminal offence under s 103 ‘to falsify’ a trade mark, or to use a false trade mark with respect to goods. Their contravention potentially expose them to the risk of going behind bars for a period ranging from 6 months upto 3 years and a fine extending upto ₹200,000. Fines are imposed for also selling goods that is wrongly marked (s 104). Repeated offenses incur heavier punishment. The statute Prohibits Even the False Representation That a Mark is Registered (Misuse of “®”)

Enforcement and Customs: Brand owners must be vigilant on the ground and in the world of e-commerce, monitoring the sale of counterfeit goods. They can send out cease-and-desists or oppose/cancel confusing marks. Trade mark registration applications for imported goods can also be lodged with the Indian Customs to prevent the import of pirated goods.

Hint: Never use the ® before registration The use of ® is not mandatory in India, but (misusing) it has implications. Further, by using the ™/® on products or packaging (if done properly so the public can properly see you have a registered mark) it puts infringers on notice of where you stand legally. There are several consulting expert advisors (such as IPR services in India) who can help you to establish a robust watch and enforcement program.

Registered design Registration design is valid for 10 years from the date of filing in India. To keep that registration in place beyond that decade mark, the owner must renew it every 10 years (in perpetuity). Key points on maintenance:

Renewal Filing: Renewal must be filed on Form TM-R. The cost of renewal according to the official website is ₹9,000 per class (in case of online- filing ) (₹10,000 per class if no online form is used). RENEWAL You can renew up to 1 year after expiry date a subject to a surcharge.

Renewing In a Timely Fashion: If you do not apply to renew your registration by the expiration date, you will be removed from the register. Mark proprietors need to be careful with their renewal reminders. IP India can remind you, but owner have to do it.

Use : Use of the trademark in commerce in india shall be advised. If the use of a trade mark has not been in good faith over a 5 year period within which there are also valid reasons for non-use, it can be revoked for non-use (section 47 of the Act). Use is not necessarily a prerequisite for the renewal process, though evidence of use does help in a case of litagation.

Recordal: notify the trademark office regarding change of legal owner and address of the brand owner. This way, you are fed the official information. Safe to say that we should keep our registered User Licenses as a matter of law.

Post Renewal: After renewal, IP India issues another registration certificate for 10 years.

In other words: It’s not that it’s hard to maintain; you just have to maintain it. The mark is valid “for 10 years” and “may be renewed for 10 years and every 10 years thereafter,” according to official guidelines. The cost for renewal (e.g., ₹9,000 per class online) is as per the law. Meeting these requirements is what it takes to keep your good, hard-earned Class 22 trademark protection.

For companies who manufacture and produce ropes, nets, tents, sacks or similar items having a Class 22 registered trademark will be a good idea. It doesn’t just give you the right to use the mark on merchandise, but also signifies a great deal of legal presumption of ownership that makes it easier to stop someone else from using a confusingly similar mark. The longer a trademark remains registered, the more valuable it could be as what’s known as an intangible asset: A registered trademark can be licensed, sold or pledged as collateral in a merger or other financing deal. Registration is also a symbol of credibility to customers and suppliers.

On whole, the Class 22 brand mark is offering the benefits of the long duration including improved brand impression of the market monopoly of the legal rights. Registration one expert notes, “gives the owner the exclusive right to use the mark” and “serves as a deterrent to would-be infringers,” efforts that are essential to establishing and protecting a brand.” If you’re a farmer who uses jute sacks, a camping gear company using such textiles or even an exporter of fibers, getting a registered trademark for the Class 22 is an investment in your company’s future. You can know about trademark registration india online for the same or even shift to service providers like Kaagzaat trademark services to help navigate you in this process. By verifying & adhering to the above process, and these few insights to keeping your renewals in check, you can ensure that your Class 22 trademark remains a powerful and enduring element of your brand’s composition.