Trademark Class 16 – Stationery, Books, Office Supplies & More (Full List + Guide)

Trademark Class 16 in India also plays a significant role for goods businesses in connection with paper, books, office or school goods etc in India, since this class is primarily followed by stationery and printed goods by users. Trade Mark In India, the classification of trade marks is based on international general principles set out, inter alia, in the Nice Classification (administered by WIPO) and the Trade Marks Act, 1999 (the Act). Class 16 is one of 34 product classes ( Classes 1–34) and covers inter alia “paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials … printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationary; adhesives for stationary or household purposes; artists’ materials; paint brushes; typewriters and office requisites (except furniture); instructional and teaching material (except apparatus); plastic materials for packaging … playing cards; printers’ type; printing blocks”. In other words, Class 16 includes non-digital paper-based goods for use in the home, school, or office. Class 16 comprises items such as notepads, pocketbooks, envelopes, calendars, diaries, packing papers, printed periodicals and artists’ materials.

Trademark Class 16 encompasses various categories of paper and printing goods. Articles of this genus are, for example:

Paper and Paper Stationery: Books, notebooks, writing pads, memorandum pads, desk pads, diaries, calendars, envelopes, folder, labels and paper.

These may include, but are not limited to, books, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, brochures, posters, greeting and invitation cards, catalogs, pamphlets, handbills, and other printed Matter.

Stationary items:- Envelops, letter pads, visiting cards, note pads, fax sheets and other types of stationary items used for the use of the office by office to run their day to day activities.

Art And Educational Materials: Brushes for painting / Drawings / Sketch books / Aquaflora colours; crayons / Chalks / Atlases; teaching charts or teaching materials (non-electronic).

NOTE: Excluding the types of packaging and wrapping referred to in other modes, such as: – paper bags, cardboard boxes, kraft paper, wrapping sheets, tissue paper, envelopes and – packaging and wrapping plastic film (for secondary packaging).

Various Paper Goods: Sheets and pad of material; calendars, card decks, book binding; photographs; labels/decals; printer’s type and blocks; adhesive tapes (stationery); and filing cover.

LIST

• absorbent sheets of paper or plastic for foodstuff packaging
• address stamps
• address plates for addressing machines
• addressing machines
• adhesive tape dispensers [office requisites]
• adhesive tapes for stationery or household purposes
• adhesive bands for stationery or household purposes
• adhesives [glues] for stationery or household purposes
• advertisement boards of paper or cardboard
• albums / scrapbooks
• almanacs
• announcement cards [stationery]
• aquarelles / watercolors [paintings] / watercolours [paintings]
• architects’ models
• arithmetical tables / calculating tables
• artists’ watercolor [watercolour] saucers / artists’ watercolor saucers / artists’ watercolour saucers / watercolor [watercolour] saucers for artists
• atlases
• bags [envelopes, pouches] of paper or plastics, for packaging
• bags for microwave cooking
• balls for ball-point pens
• bibs of paper
• binding strips [bookbinding]
• biological samples for use in microscopy [teaching materials]
• blackboards
• blotters
• blueprints / plans
• bookbinding material
• bookbinding apparatus and machines [office equipment]
• bookbindings
• bookends
• booklets
• bookmarkers
• books
• bottle envelopes of cardboard or paper
• bottle wrappers of cardboard or paper
• boxes of cardboard or paper
• cabinets for stationery [office requisites]
• calendars
• canvas for painting
• carbon paper
• cardboard
• cardboard tubes
• cards* / charts
• cases for stamps [seals]
• catalogues
• chalk for lithography
• chalk holders
• charcoal pencils
• chart pointers, non-electronic
• chromolithographs [chromos] / chromos
• cigar bands
• clipboards
• clips for offices / staples for offices
• cloth for bookbinding / bookbinding cloth
• coasters of paper
• comic books
• compasses for drawing
• composing frames [printing]
• composing sticks
• conical paper bags
• copying paper [stationery]
• cords for bookbinding / bookbinding cords
• correcting fluids [office requisites]
• correcting ink [heliography]
• correcting tapes [office requisites]
• covers [stationery] / wrappers [stationery]
• cream containers of paper
• credit card imprinters, non-electric
• desk mats
• diagrams
• document files [stationery]
• document laminators for office use
• document holders [stationery]
• drawer liners of paper, perfumed or not
• drawing pads
• drawing pins / thumbtacks
• drawing boards
• drawing materials
• drawing instruments
• drawing sets
• drawing pens
• drawing rulers
• drawing squares
• drawing T-squares
• duplicators
• elastic bands for offices
• electrocardiograph paper
• electrotypes
• embroidery designs [patterns]
• engraving plates
• engravings
• envelope sealing machines, for offices
• envelopes [stationery]
• erasing products
• erasing shields
• etching needles
• etchings
• fabrics for bookbinding
• face towels of paper
• figurines [statuettes] of papier mâché
• files [office requisites]
• filter paper
• filtering materials [paper]
• finger-stalls [office requisites]
• flags of paper
• flower-pot covers of paper / covers of paper for flower pots
• flyers
• folders for papers / jackets for papers
• folders [stationery]
• forms, printed
• fountain pens
• franking machines for office use / postage meters for office use
• French curves
• galley racks [printing]
• garbage bags of paper or of plastics
• geographical maps
• glue for stationery or household purposes / pastes for stationery or household purposes
• gluten [glue] for stationery or household purposes
• graining combs
• graphic prints
• graphic reproductions
• graphic representations
• greeting cards
• gummed tape [stationery]
• gummed cloth for stationery purposes
• gums [adhesives] for stationery or household purposes
• hand labelling appliances
• hand-rests for painters
• handkerchiefs of paper
• handwriting specimens for copying
• hat boxes of cardboard
• hectographs
• histological sections for teaching purposes
• holders for stamps [seals]
• holders for checkbooks [cheque books]
• house painters’ rollers
• humidity control sheets of paper or plastic for foodstuff packaging
• index cards [stationery]
• indexes
• Indian inks
• ink
• ink sticks
• ink stones [ink reservoirs]
• inking pads
• inking ribbons
• inking sheets for duplicators
• inking sheets for document reproducing machines
• inking ribbons for computer printers
• inkstands
• inkwells
• isinglass for stationery or household purposes
• labels, not of textile
• loose-leaf binders
• ledgers [books]
• letter trays
• lithographic works of art
• lithographic stones
• lithographs
• magazines [periodicals]
• manifolds [stationery]
• manuals [handbooks] / handbooks [manuals]
• marking chalk
• marking pens [stationery]
• mats for beer glasses
• mimeograph apparatus and machines
• modelling clay
• modelling wax, not for dental purposes
• modelling materials
• modelling paste
• moisteners [office requisites]
• moisteners for gummed surfaces [office requisites]
• money clips
• moulds for modelling clays [artists’ materials] / molds for modelling clays [artists’ materials]
• apparatus for mounting photographs
• musical greeting cards
• newsletters
• newspapers
• nibs
• nibs of gold
• note books
• numbering apparatus
• numbers [type]
• obliterating stamps
• office perforators
• office requisites, except furniture
• oleographs
• packaging material made of starches
• packing [cushioning, stuffing] materials of paper or cardboard
• pads [stationery]
• page holders
• paint boxes [articles for use in school]
• paint trays
• paintbrushes
• painters’ brushes
• painters’ easels
• palettes for painters
• pamphlets
• pantographs [drawing instruments]
• paper
• paper for recording machines
• paper sheets [stationery]
• paper clasps
• luminous paper
• paper tapes and cards for the recordal of computer programmes
• paper for radiograms
• paper ribbons
• paper shredders for office use
• paper knives [cutters] [office requisites] / paper cutters [office requisites] / paper knives [office requisites]
• paper coffee filters
• paper bows
• paper-clips
• paperweights
• papier mâché
• parchment paper
• passport holders
• pastels [crayons]
• pen clips
• pen cases / boxes for pens
• pen wipers
• pencil sharpening machines, electric or non-electric
• pencil leads
• pencil holders
• pencil lead holders
• pencil sharpeners, electric or non-electric
• pencils
• penholders
• pens [office requisites]
• perforated cards for Jacquard looms
• periodicals
• photo-engravings
• photograph stands
• photographs [printed]
• pictures
• placards of paper or cardboard
• place mats of paper
• plastic film for wrapping
• plastic bubble packs for wrapping or packaging
• plastic cling film, extensible, for palletization
• plastics for modelling
• polymer modelling clay
• portraits
• postage stamps
• postcards
• posters
• printed timetables
• printed matter
• printed publications
• printers’ blankets, not of textile
• printers’ reglets
• printing blocks
• printing type
• printing sets, portable [office requisites]
• prints [engravings]
• prospectuses
• punches [office requisites]
• rollers for typewriters
• rosaries / chaplets
• rubber erasers
• school supplies [stationery]
• scrapers [erasers] for offices
• sealing stamps
• sealing wax
• sealing machines for offices
• sealing compounds for stationery purposes
• sealing wafers
• seals [stamps]
• self-adhesive tapes for stationery or household purposes
• sewing patterns
• sheets of reclaimed cellulose for wrapping
• shields [paper seals]
• signboards of paper or cardboard
• silver paper
• slate pencils
• song books
• spools for inking ribbons
• square rulers
• stamp pads
• stamp stands
• stamps [seals]
• stands for pens and pencils
• stapling presses [office requisites]
• starch paste [adhesive] for stationery or household purposes
• stationery
• steatite [tailor’s chalk]
• steel letters
• steel pens
• stencil cases
• stencil plates
• stencils [stationery]
• stencils
• stickers [stationery]
• stuffing of paper or cardboard
• table linen of paper
• table napkins of paper
• tablecloths of paper
• tablemats of paper
• tags for index cards
• tailors’ chalk
• teaching materials [except apparatus]
• terrestrial globes
• tickets
• tissues of paper for removing make-up
• toilet paper / hygienic paper
• towels of paper
• tracing patterns
• tracing paper
• tracing cloth
• tracing needles for drawing purposes
• trading cards other than for games
• transfers [decalcomanias] / decalcomanias
• transparencies [stationery]
• trays for sorting and counting money
• type [numerals and letters] / letters [type]
• typewriter ribbons
• typewriter keys
• typewriters, electric or non-electric
• vignetting apparatus
• viscose sheets for wrapping
• waxed paper
• wood pulp board [stationery]
• wood pulp paper
• wrapping paper / packing paper
• wristbands for the retention of writing instruments
• writing slates
• writing or drawing books
• writing chalk
• writing materials
• writing paper
• writing cases [stationery]
• writing cases [sets]
• writing brushes
• writing instruments
• writing board erasers
• Xuan paper for Chinese painting and calligraphy

And all these are Class 16 goods. (Furniture is specifically excluded, as are inks in Class 2 and advertising materials in Class 35.) If in doubt, proceed to clasifier — Indian Trade Marks rules — Class 16 appears as though same While in practice trademarks are often applied for in relation to a narrower class of goods (e.g. Class 16 for “greeting cards, notebooks, pencils, and adhesive labels”), businesses should clearly ring-fence or limit the mark in respect of the specific goods bearing some legitimate nexus to your products.

Trademark Filing Class 16: Brands for Stationery and Printed MaterialTrademark Class 16 is to register a trademark brand name under which all the products are included that is stationary and printed productsEntitles you to use the brand name in relation to products like advertising and officeMaterial, stationery and printed goods etcPrevents unauthorized use of the mark by third party, thus preventing being used your own market value. Very few items sold in stationery and print are all that original so the mark is serving to build a company brand. For instance, you have written a brand’s name on the book, or calendar, you are paid for it, shows the quality of your brand, and people trust in you. “Owning” your Class 16 mark is protective against copycats and counterfeiters for the reason that the law provides for a rebuttable presumption of ownership for registered marks. A class 16 registration also eases your process of trademark registration for Amazon or Flipkart to sell office stationery or school supplies as they may ask you to furnish a registered trademark for brand registry. In simpler terms: registering Class 16 strengthens your market position and your good reputation.

E.g.: HALLMARK on gift wrap, SCHOLASTIC on student books Class 16 stationery and book publishers. This would mean companies of that sort could bar anyone else from using a similar mark for goods like paper goods or school goods in connection with the trademark. And I believe this is crucial for brand owners have a stationary or a printing press in India. If not, that is delusional thinking – your future competitor could grab a similar mark and bar you from using that name for stationery goods/services.

TR Registrar Examination: On filing application, Application is Examination by Trademark Registrar. They confirm that legal requirements have been satisfied and check for possible conflicts with other marks. If there’s nothing amiss, they’ll find the application acceptable. Report raising objections (see next section) In case of objections the registrar will generate Examination Report 6.

Publication in the Journal: If the examiner is satisfied (no or all objections are overcome), the mark is advertised in the Trademarks Journal. This provides three months for third parties to oppose the registration. Opposition is possible (hearing, filing counterstatement) before registration is effected.

Registration Certificate- If no opposition is filed or all oppositions have been decided in the favour of the Applicant for the grant of Registration Certificate in respect of the trademark by the Registrar. Then they register the trademark in Class 16.” In India, registration is issued for a period of 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed in perpetuity for further periods of 10 years.

Great stationery: A pen stylized as a symbol of Office 16 stationery You will know how to make a pen – you have just done it. The time of examination and the publication by the Registrar’s office, at least 12–18 months (if not opposed) after filing Form TM-A. Meanwhile, you should react to anything (see beneath) that the EPO has sent you already, and that you obtain, between now and the October 2023 date.

Supporting Documents: You will need to upload identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN) and address proof of the applicant and signed Form TM-48 in the case you are filing through a trademark lawyer. Most importantly for Class 16, and you should insert a list of goods. Like a Class 16 application might have the goods: “notebooks, pencils, greeting cards, printed flyers, and packaging boxes”. The more accurate, the better, as it must indicate only your actual goods on your registration.

Fees: ₹ 4,500 per class per startup/individual/MSME or ₹ 9,000 per company (Government fee); Additional fee for each additional class Dont Un-Follow Simple Formality Objection: Use the correct fee and mode of payment.

You have to search other trademarks already in use prior to filing any application to find out others don’t take your applied mark in class 16. India provides a free Public search facility, being hosted at the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks (CGPDTM). Trademark Public Search is available on ip india website in the tmrsearch. ). Here’s how:

• Head to IP India official trademark search website. (It’s free for all users.)
• Wordmark Search (For Text Marks) or Device Search (For Logos; Vienna codes).
• Enter the trademark name or keyword you are using.
• In the Class section, type in 16 to restrict it to Class 16 goods. This will display the other trademarks or pending applications in Class 16 that are the same as your search term. (You can search for more than one class by marking additional class fields in the portal)
• Review results carefully. Look up things with similar spellings or phonetic similarity, as the search engine even has an option that allows you to search using phonetics. See what goods/services are covered by the marks and goods for each filing assistant.

Such an India trademark search is highly crucial. It also prevents matching and confusing applicants which will get you ‘turned down’. Before you apply, search to see if there is an identical or confusingly similar mark registered to someone else, or revise the mark. The search portal is a readily available data source, pulling live data from the official registry records. Also, I would not use your first search to determine if a trademark is being used, but instead check to see if it is active — (or simply alternate with that separate search).

Browse the results, and cut down your quest. For instance, if you find that the same name is already used on books or calendars (class 16), and you want to make stationery, you will try something else. A thorough search saves time and prevents costly objections in the future. Repeat such a search with variations of the mark and searching in related classes, if necessary.

Your Class 16 shall be examined by the Registrar once your apply it with us. You will also receive an Examination Report with one or more notes for objection under the Trade Marks Act, if an issue of law arises. This way you can craft a good reply, by knowing what people tend to object. Common grounds for objection include:

Sluggableness If your mark is purely descriptive of the goods it serves as an indicator of origin for, it could be objected to under section 9(1)(b). So you can’t have names that are generic or descriptive – so if you’re starting a stationery shop you can’t call it StationeryMart or Street of Paper Products. Registrar generally not to register distinctive mark. Objection may be raised if a slogan or tagline merely describes the nature or quality of goods.

Resemblance to Earlier Marks (Likelihood of Confusion): When the proposed mark is similar to an already registered or applied-for mark on same or identical goods, it shall be refused under section 11 of the Act. Example: if PAPERWORLD is filed for registration books (Class 16) and applicant later attempts to register Paper Worlds for notebooks, the Examiner may see a likelihood of confusion. We get something of a drag in Class 16, which accessorizes so many ordinary words (book, paper, print, etc.) that so many brand owners wishing to file in Class 16 opt instead for only a mere adjective.

Non-Distinctive or Deceptive Marks: If your mark is deceptive (misrepresenting a product to be from somewhere or of a level of quality/character that it is not) or can’t be identified (does not have its own unique characteristic or trait), the USPTO can refuse your mark. So if the geographical product is paper (e.g. Darjeeling for tea, and it is used solely for brand recognition purposes) : this type of use may be unacceptable. Similarly offensive or scandalous terms are usually also prohibited (though not so much with goods in Class 16).

Irritants in the form of Restricted Emblems/Names India has an act by the name Indian Emblems Act that restricts the use of specific emblems or names [[(national symbols and names of the specific dignitaries)]. E.g- if you are applying in Class 16, If your trademark is containing any inhibited words as per 16 Class e.g- cosmic mark such as GANDHI or national emblem then object will be raised.

Matter of form: Should any procedural deficiencies be detected in the application (wrong form, missing information, unofficial signature, etc.), a matter of form will be raised.

Should there be an objection, the Registrar will issue an Examination Report to you. You then have 30 days (with up to another 30 available if requested) to reply. You can give reasons for why you believe the objection should have been waived in your answer. For example:

If descriptiveness is the issue, then typically you will claim that the mark is a made up word or has secondary meaning.

Similarity, you would stress the a mark and the goods were not similar.

It is also possible to amend the goods description (if appropriate) or partially disclaim any unregistrable aspect of the mark.

Such proof is generally a good idea if you are claiming that a term has become distinctive. Many times you can also schedule a hearing before the Trademark Office for face to face arguments. If your arguments are accepted, the objection will be removed and the application will be processed to grant. If this is not so then your application may be refused.

Takeaway: An objection is not the end of the road. This is, essentially, an invitation to protect the mark. Much of the time a good response can defeat an objection for a valid mark. If you can’t overcome these objections (e.g. because the mark is outright descriptive) you may have to resort to a different mark.

In the event you have received an objection in your Class 16 app, please do submit your response. File a response to the examination report within the deadline (Form TM-M or a written response based on the examination method) Engage with every point raised in the Examiner’s argument. Indian trademark law (s.9 and 11) objections can be successfully traversed so consider using a trademark lawyer.

After your response is submitted, the Registrar considers this with a special template. If they are, they put your mark in the Trademark Journal. The process as a whole is completed in a little over four months total time, with an opportunity for parties to oppose registration. Opposition — unless some serious rocks flyer in immediately after publication. But if there are no oppositions, or an opposition is defeated, the registration proceeds.)

In sum, the most common objections in Class 16 are non-distinctives, too generic, and similar to preceding marks. The prospects of running into such problems can be reduced by looking for common law marks earlier and then creating a distinctive mark. There might be a reason for an objection: address it if raised with a clear “It can’t mean that because…” then evidence. Indian trademark law can be said to seek, in the final analysis, to ensure that trademarks act as badges of origin.

Class 16 registration is a significant forward step for any Indian Company be the same for Paper issues by the Company, Stationery of the Company, Company’s Publishing or Company’s office overheads. If your brand is filed under Class 16, then you are afforded with protection in the case that counterfeiting is something you wish to prevent along with building an image for your business.

So if you’re a stationery company, or a publisher of books, selling products made of paper online, whatever it may be, filing your brand or your brand name the right way will be the key to preserving your identity. Note that to initiate trade mark registration process, the IP India portal is the ideal place to start with trade mark search, Your filing must be under Class 16 along with an accurate description of goods and be able to reply for any objections.

Need more help, read our articles on The Trademark Registration Process and Developing your Trademark Protection Strategies . Have any Questions or need assistance regarding anything, feel free to  contact us. Our professionals provide you with the easiest way to protect your stationery or printing symbol in India. Protect your brand – register your Class 16 trade mark with us today and stop anyone else from using your mark in this important class.