Class 25 vs Class 35 — which trademark class do you need in India?

This is the most common class question for fashion and apparel brands in India. Class 25 protects the physical clothing, footwear and headgear you make. Class 35 protects the retail and business side — your store, website, e-commerce platform and marketing. A brand that both makes garments and sells them online usually needs both.

Class 25

Goods · Clothing & apparel

Clothing, footwear, headgear

Clothing, footwear, headwear

Class 35

Services · Retail & business

Advertising; business management and administration services

Advertising; Business management, organization and administration; Office functions

Class 25 vs Class 35 at a glance

	Class 25 · Clothing & apparel	Class 35 · Retail & business
What it protects	The products — garments, footwear, headgear	The selling — retail stores, online shops, marketplaces
Typical filer	A clothing label / manufacturer	A multi-brand store, marketplace or e-commerce platform
Example	A t-shirt brand printing its name on the garment	A fashion website selling many brands
Covers your own brand on the product?	Yes	No — only the retail service

Which class should you choose?

Choose Class 25 if…

You manufacture or sell your own branded clothing, shoes or caps.

Choose Class 35 if…

You run a store, website or marketplace that sells clothing (your own or others).

File both if: You make your own clothing line AND sell it through your own branded store or site — the most common case for D2C fashion brands.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Class 25 or Class 35 for my clothing brand in India?

If you make or sell your own branded garments, footwear or headgear, you need Class 25 for the products. If you also run a clothing store, website or e-commerce platform, you additionally need Class 35 for the retail service. Most direct-to-consumer fashion brands file both.

Does Class 35 protect my clothing products?

No. Class 35 only protects the retail and business activity — running a shop, website or marketplace. It does not stop someone else from putting your brand name on a garment; that protection comes from Class 25.

I only sell other brands online — do I still need Class 25?

Usually not. A pure multi-brand retailer or marketplace that does not make its own products typically needs only Class 35. You would add Class 25 only if you launch your own private-label clothing line.

Related class guides

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