Trademark Class 17: Rubber, Plastics, Insulation and Hoses
Trademark class 17 covers rubber and plastic materials for manufacture, packing and insulating materials, and flexible hoses not of metal. Gaskets, insulation tape, plastic sheet or garden hose usually belong here. We search, confirm the class and file Form TM-A online.
What class 17 covers
The class 17 heading in the 13th edition of the Nice Classification reads: “Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and substitutes for all these materials; plastics and resins in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal.”
WIPO’s explanatory note says the class mainly covers electrical, thermal and acoustic insulating materials and plastics for manufacture as sheets, blocks and rods, plus some rubber goods not classed elsewhere by function, such as rubber stoppers.
India follows this system. Under Section 7(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, the Registrar classifies goods by the international classification, and under Section 7(2) that decision on class is final.
Common goods in class 17
Materials
- Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber
- Plastic sheets, blocks and rods for manufacture
- Rubber material for recapping tyres
- Rubber and plastic threads, not for textile use
Sealing and insulating
- Gaskets, seals and packing materials
- Insulating materials and insulating tape
- Industrial adhesive tape
- Plastic films not for wrapping, such as anti-glare window film
Hoses and rubber articles
- Flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal
- Garden and braided industrial hoses
- Rubber stoppers and shock-absorbing buffers
- Padding of rubber or plastics
What is not in class 17
The Nice system classes many finished goods by what they do, not what they are made of. The usual mix-ups:
| Item | Correct class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fire hoses | Class 9 | Fire-fighting equipment |
| Rigid non-metal pipes for building | Class 19 | Building materials |
| Pipes in sanitary installations | Class 11 | Sanitary apparatus |
| Insulating glass for building | Class 19 | Building glass |
| Plastic film for wrapping and packaging | Class 16 | Packaging material |
Who usually files in class 17
Rubber and polymer units
Gasket, O-ring and moulded-part makers, like the auto-component units around Faridabad.
Hose and tubing brands
PVC garden hose, braided hose and flexible industrial tubing. Rigid PVC pipes for building go to class 19.
Insulation and tape sellers
Duct insulation, soundproofing material, electrical insulating tape and industrial adhesive tape.
Tips before filing
Search class 17 and its neighbours
Run a trademark search in every class you touch, here 17 plus 16, 19 or 11. IP India’s public search takes one class at a time.
Describe what you actually sell
Write the specification in everyday trade words, such as “rubber gaskets and seals; PVC garden hoses”. Copying the full heading claims goods you may never make.
Split goods by function
Here is the catch: a unit that adds rigid PVC pipes to its hose range needs class 19 too. Under Section 18(2), one application can cover several classes, with a fee for each class.
Pick your user date with care
State “proposed to be used” or your first-use date, and keep dated invoices to prove it. That date can decide a later dispute.
Frequently asked questions
Does PVC hose fall in class 17 or class 19?
Flexible PVC hose falls in class 17, because the heading covers flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal. Rigid non-metal pipes for building go to class 19, and sanitary pipes to class 11. Selling both flexible and rigid pipes? File in each class. One application can carry several classes, so the paperwork stays simple.
Is insulating tape in class 17 or class 16?
Insulating tape and industrial adhesive tape are class 17. WIPO keeps adhesive tape here only when it is not stationery and not for cosmetic, medical or household use. Stationery and household tape go to class 16, and medical tape to class 5. Tell us who buys your tape, and we will word each item correctly.
Can a trader register class 17 for goods made by someone else?
Yes. The Trade Marks Act, 1999 protects a mark used in the course of trade, whether you make the goods or buy them from a contract manufacturer. In practice, what matters is that the brand points customers to you. Keep purchase invoices and branded packaging on file, and your claim will be easy to support.
What is the government fee for a class 17 trademark?
The Form TM-A fee is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 per class for others. Paper filing costs ₹5,000 and ₹10,000. Adding class 19 for rigid pipes means one more class fee. We confirm your applicant category first, so you pay the right amount.
What if the examiner says my goods are in the wrong class?
The Registrar decides questions of class under Section 7(2), so a classification point can appear in the examination report. Usually it is settled by deleting or rewording goods in the specification. We handle these through our trademark objection reply service. These are routine objections, and a clear reply normally settles them.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
Government fee on Form TM-A: ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online (₹5,000 on paper), and ₹9,000 per class for others (₹10,000 on paper). Adding class 19 to the same application means one more class fee.
Ready to begin?
Send us your product list and we will confirm class 17 and handle the trademark registration from search to filing.