Trademark Class 23: Yarns and Threads – Complete Legal Guide for India
Introduction
In the vast textile and fashion ecosystem, yarns and threads form the foundational raw materials. Whether it’s cotton yarns for weaving, polyester threads for stitching, or dyed silk yarns for embroidery, businesses engaged in this sector need legal brand protection under the correct trademark class—Trademark Class 23.
If you’re a manufacturer, distributor, exporter, or even a packaging brand selling yarn reels or sewing threads under a brand name, your intellectual property (IP) must be registered under Class 23. This guide explains all aspects of Class 23—its coverage, exclusions, filing strategy, examples, and practical legal tips.
Legal Basis in India
India follows the Nice Classification (11th edition) as adopted under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. This system categorizes goods and services under 45 classes.
Trademark Class 23 is defined as:
“Yarns and threads, for textile use.”
This class covers all types of threads and yarns used in textile manufacturing, including those used in:
- Weaving
- Knitting
- Stitching
- Embroidery
- Crochet
- Loom production
Class 23 is commonly used by textile mills, embroidery houses, home sewing brands, yarn exporters, and D2C hobby kits.
Scope of Trademark Class 23
Class 23 includes all natural and synthetic threads and yarns, provided they are used for textile production. It applies to:
- Cotton yarns
- Silk yarns
- Wool yarns
- Synthetic yarns (nylon, polyester, rayon, etc.)
- Threads for sewing, stitching, embroidery, crochet, or knitting
- Elastic threads (for use in garments)
- Yarn reels, cones, spools (as packaged textile yarns)
- Floss threads (dental floss excluded – Class 5)
- Metallic threads for embroidery (textile use)
Note: This class does not include fabrics, garments, or finished textiles—only yarns and threads used to make them.
Examples of Products in Class 23
- Cotton yarns for weaving handloom sarees
- Silk threads for embroidery work
- Woollen yarns for knitting sweaters
- Viscose rayon yarn cones
- Polyester sewing thread spools
- Embroidery floss (multi-colored kits)
- Crochet threads in balls or reels
- Nylon elastic yarn for garments
- Mercerized cotton thread for tailoring
- Metallic threads for zari work or couture
- Hand-dyed artisanal yarns for hobby use
- Spun synthetic yarns for industrial knitting
- Twisted jute yarn for textile use
- Acrylic yarn balls for handicraft kits
- Bamboo yarns for eco-textiles
Class 23 applies whether you sell in cones, reels, hanks, or balls, as long as the material is used for textile creation.
What Class 23 Does Not Include
| Item | Correct Class |
|---|---|
| Finished fabrics or textiles | Class 24 |
| Garments and fashion apparel | Class 25 |
| Footwear threads or rubberized yarn | Class 17 |
| Dental floss or medical thread | Class 5 |
| Embroidery machines or textile machines | Class 7 |
| Textile dye or chemical threads | Class 1 |
| Ropes, cords, twines (not textile yarns) | Class 22 |
| Yarn retail/wholesale services | Class 35 |
🔍 Key Rule: If the yarn/thread is a raw material for textile creation, it’s Class 23. If it’s a finished product, it goes elsewhere.
Real-World Trademark Examples – Class 23 (India)
| Brand Name | Trademarked Goods |
|---|---|
| VARDHMAN | Cotton yarns, synthetic yarns, dyed cones |
| SUTLEJ YARNS | Polyester, viscose, blended yarns |
| TRIDENT | Spun yarns for textile weaving |
| MAHAVEER THREADS | Embroidery threads and tailoring threads |
| COATS | Sewing threads for apparel and industries |
| SRI GANESH YARNS | Rayon and acrylic yarns |
| NITEX | Knitting yarns, industrial cone yarns |
| LOVCRAFT | Hobby yarn kits and embroidery floss |
Why Trademark Class 23 Matters
Yarns and threads are essential commodities in the textile industry and are often targeted by counterfeiters. Registering your mark under Class 23 provides:
- ✅ Ownership of your brand identity in the yarn/thread segment
- ✅ Protection from duplicate labels, packaging, and branding
- ✅ Competitive edge in bulk supply contracts and exports
- ✅ Eligibility for textile fairs, industry awards, and government procurement
- ✅ Legal support to stop counterfeiters, grey market suppliers
- ✅ Facilitates OEM manufacturing and private labelling deals
- ✅ Essential for listing on B2B portals like IndiaMART, Alibaba, Amazon Business
Trademark Registration Process for Class 23 in India
- Trademark Search (Class 23): Use the IP India Public Search to identify similar marks.
- Draft Form TM-A: Include detailed product descriptions like “cotton and viscose blended yarns for textile use”.
- File Online or via Attorney: Through IP India Portal or with a trademark agent.
- Examination & Objection Handling: Objections may arise under Section 9 or 11.
- Journal Publication: Published for 4 months for opposition.
- Trademark Certificate Issued: Valid for 10 years (renewable).
Documents Required:
- PAN/Aadhaar of applicant
- MSME/Udyam certificate (for discounted fee)
- Brand logo or label (if filing device mark)
- TM-48 (for agent filing)
- Product samples or brochures (optional)
International Protection – Madrid Protocol (Class 23)
If you’re exporting yarns, embroidery kits, or threads globally, protect your brand via Madrid Protocol:
| Jurisdiction | Trademark Class |
|---|---|
| India | Class 23 |
| USA | Class 023 |
| EU | Class 23 |
| UK | Class 23 |
| WIPO (Madrid) | Class 23 |
Common Mistakes in Class 23 Filing
- ❌ Filing under Class 24 or 25 instead of 23
- ❌ Using vague terms like “textile products”
- ❌ Including rope or twine (belongs to Class 22)
- ❌ Not specifying synthetic vs. natural yarns
- ❌ Ignoring sub-brand or series-level registrations
Top Tips for Class 23 Trademark Applicants
- ✔️ Specify your product types and fiber material
- ✔️ Use accurate trade names like cotton, silk, rayon
- ✔️ Register globally if exporting
- ✔️ File design registrations for unique packaging
- ✔️ File separately if also selling garments or fabrics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q1: Are embroidery threads part of Class 23? ✅ Yes.
- Q2: Is yarn for knitting included? ✅ Yes.
- Q3: Are finished fabrics Class 23? ❌ No (Class 24).
- Q4: Threads for industrial machines? ✅ Yes (if textile-use).
- Q5: Jute rope? ❌ No (Class 22).
- Q6: Elastic yarn for sportswear? ✅ Yes.
- Q7: Cotton wool for cosmetics? ❌ No (Class 5).
- Q8: Same brand in Class 23 & 24? ✅ Yes.
- Q9: Yarn for décor or kits? ✅ Yes.
- Q10: Yarn-selling services? ❌ No (Class 35).
Conclusion
Trademark Class 23 is ideal for protecting brands in the yarn, thread, and embroidery industry. Whether you’re in handloom, textile manufacturing, hobby craft kits, or industrial sewing, your business deserves legal protection to scale, export, and enforce against infringement.
At RegistrationMART, we:
- ✔️ Identify the correct product classification
- ✔️ File trademarks correctly under Class 23
- ✔️ Draft responses to objections
- ✔️ Assist with Madrid Protocol filings
- ✔️ Protect packaging, sub-brands, product lines
🔐 Get Expert Help Today
📞 Call Us: +91-7201000259
🌐 Visit: www.registrationmart.in
📧 Email: support@registrationmart.in
