Introduction
India’s infrastructure and construction sectors are booming. From real estate developers to construction supply businesses, every brand working with bricks, cement, stone, glass, timber, doors, tiles, and non-metallic pipes must secure their brand legally—and that begins with Trademark Class 19.
Class 19 is the core trademark class for building materials, especially non-metallic construction goods. Whether you’re a manufacturer of concrete blocks, ceramic tiles, or ready-mix cement, your business must file its trademark under this class for full legal protection.
This article provides a deep dive into Class 19: what’s included, what’s not, examples of successful brands, filing strategies in India, global protection, and expert guidance for long-term trademark security.
Legal Basis in India
India uses the Nice Classification (11th edition) under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, which divides goods and services into 45 classes. Trademark Class 19 covers:
“Materials, not of metal, for building and construction; rigid pipes, not of metal, for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments, not of metal.”
This class is highly relevant for:
- Construction material suppliers
- Hardware stores and dealers
- Builders and manufacturers of panels, doors, and roofing systems
- Plywood, cement, and tile producers
- Infrastructure and prefabricated building companies
Scope of Trademark Class 19
Class 19 includes non-metallic building materials and construction goods, whether natural or artificial. These goods are used for building, reinforcing, protecting, decorating, or finishing construction projects.
Class 19 Covers:
- Bricks, cement, lime, mortar, and plaster
- Stones and artificial stone
- Non-metallic tiles (ceramic, granite, clay, etc.)
- Marble, granite, slate for construction
- Roofing, flooring, and cladding materials
- Plywood, particle board, MDF
- Glass panels and architectural glass
- Plasterboards, gypsum sheets, and cement fiberboards
- Non-metallic pipes for building
- PVC panels and ceiling materials
- Asphalt, bitumen, and tar
- Ready-mix concrete (RMC)
- Pre-fabricated structures (non-metallic)
- Non-metallic door and window frames
- Wooden, plastic, or glass fencing and barriers
- Cement poles and boundary materials
- Wall putty, adhesives (non-metallic construction use)
- Monuments and statues (not made of metal)
Examples of Products in Class 19
- Clay bricks and AAC blocks
- White cement and wall putty
- Construction-grade marble and granite
- Roof tiles and wall tiles
- Gypsum boards and wall panels
- Door panels made of wood or PVC
- Laminates and veneers
- Rigid PVC construction pipes
- Asphalt mix and bitumen sheets
- Wooden fencing or garden borders
- Cement fiber sheets (used in roofing)
- Concrete boundary walls
- RMC (ready mix concrete) for construction
- Precast concrete steps or tiles
- Non-metallic road barriers or highway poles
Note: These are non-metal construction goods. Class 6 should be used for metal construction materials like iron bars or steel rods.
What Class 19 Does NOT Cover
Trademark Class 19 excludes products that may appear construction-related but are either metallic, services, or tools—not materials.
| Item | Correct Class |
|---|---|
| Metal construction materials (steel rods, iron sheets) | Class 6 |
| Construction services (civil work, contracting) | Class 37 |
| Tools and equipment for construction | Class 7 or 8 |
| Paints, varnishes, waterproofing coatings | Class 2 |
| Electrical wires, panels, and fittings | Class 9 or 11 |
| Plumbing fixtures (taps, faucets) | Class 11 |
| Packaging material (plastic sheeting, boxes) | Class 17 or 20 |
| Tiles used only for decoration (non-construction) | Class 21 |
Rule of thumb: If it’s a construction material, non-metallic, and part of a building structure—it goes in Class 19.
Real-World Trademark Examples – Class 19 (India)
| Brand Name | Trademarked Products |
|---|---|
| ULTRATECH | Cement, RMC, and construction goods |
| JK WALL PUTTY | Wall putty and construction coatings |
| ASIAN TILES | Ceramic and vitrified tiles |
| NITCO | Floor tiles, wall tiles |
| CENTURYPLY | Plywood, laminates |
| HIL (Aerocon) | Cement boards, panels, wall systems |
| KAJARIA | Designer tiles and vitrified surfaces |
| EVEREST INDUSTRIES | Fiber cement boards, ceiling solutions |
| RAMCO | Cement, AAC blocks |
Why Trademark Class 19 Is Important
The construction industry is highly competitive and susceptible to duplication and brand imitation. Filing a trademark under Class 19 gives you:
Benefits:
- Exclusive rights to your brand for construction goods
- Legal protection against counterfeit cement, tiles, and panels
- A trusted brand name in tenders, dealer networks, and B2B projects
- Eligibility for Amazon Business and B2B trade portals
- Easy brand expansion to new product lines (e.g., from tiles to panels)
- Basis for international trademark filing (Madrid Protocol)
Trademark Filing Process for Class 19 (India)
Step-by-Step Filing:
- Trademark Search: Use the IP India database to check similar marks in Class 19.
- File Form TM-A: Use specific product descriptions: “cement panels”, “vitrified floor tiles”, “non-metallic PVC doors”.
- File Online or via Agent: Submit application via the IP India portal or with a registered attorney.
- Examination Report: Address any objections raised under Section 9 (descriptive/generic) or Section 11 (similarity).
- Trademark Journal Publication: Your mark is published for 4 months for opposition.
- Trademark Certificate Issued: If unopposed, you’ll get a registration valid for 10 years, renewable.
Required Documents:
- Applicant’s PAN/Aadhaar
- MSME/Udyam registration (optional, for discounted fees)
- Brand logo or label (if visual/logo-based)
- TM-48 (if you’re filing via an agent)
- Product catalog or manufacturing info (helpful for description)
International Trademark Protection – Class 19 (Madrid Protocol)
If you export your materials or plan to expand globally, Madrid Protocol allows you to register in multiple countries via a single application.
| Jurisdiction | Trademark Class |
|---|---|
| India | Class 19 |
| USA | Class 019 |
| EU (EUIPO) | Class 19 |
| UK (IPO) | Class 19 |
| WIPO (Madrid) | Class 19 |
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Class 19 Filing
- Filing for metal construction goods in Class 19 (should be Class 6)
- Using vague terms like “building material” without specifying (e.g., “AAC blocks”)
- Filing decoration items (wallpapers, curtains) here — they go in Class 27 or 24
- Mixing up your brand of construction material with your service brand (contractor)
- Including adhesives or chemicals (Class 1 or 2)
Use industry-specific terminology and consider multi-class filing if you also offer tools (Class 7), services (Class 37), or packaging (Class 17).
Top Tips for Trademark Applicants in Class 19
- Use proper terms: “vitrified floor tiles”, “non-metallic construction pipes”
- File sub-brands and product series names (e.g., “ECO-STONE by XYZ Cement”)
- Protect your brand internationally if you export
- If your product includes unique packaging or box design — file for that too
- Conduct a full Class 19 trademark availability search before launching
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q1. Is cement a Class 19 product? ✅ Yes.
- Q2. What about plywood or MDF? ✅ Yes, both are Class 19 goods.
- Q3. Are steel rods and metal pipes Class 19? ❌ No, they are in Class 6.
- Q4. Is ready-mix concrete included? ✅ Yes, if it’s a branded product.
- Q5. What about wall putty or construction-grade adhesives? ✅ Yes, for wall putty. For chemicals, check Class 1.
- Q6. Is laminated sheet included? ✅ Yes, if used in construction or cladding.
- Q7. Is tile grout included in this class? ⚠️ Depends. If sold as a chemical compound — Class 1.
- Q8. Are prefabricated modular homes included? ✅ Yes, if non-metallic.
- Q9. What if I sell tiles + offer tile fixing service? ✅ Class 19 for tiles, Class 37 for service.
- Q10. Are boundary poles and non-metal fences included? ✅ Yes.
Conclusion
Trademark Class 19 is the legal backbone for India’s non-metal construction material industry. Whether you sell cement, plywood, tiles, panels, glass, or AAC blocks, you need strong legal protection for your brand to scale confidently.
At RegistrationMART, we:
- Help with trademark classification and brand strategy
- File and manage your Class 19 trademarks
- Defend against objections and oppositions
- Guide international filings under Madrid Protocol
- Support brand enforcement and licensing
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📞 Call Us: +91-7201000259
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