TRADEMARK CLASS 27: Carpets, rugs, mats

When applying for a trademark in the Philippines, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) requires applicants to specify the correct class of goods or services under the Nice Classification (NCL) system. This classification system, adopted in 1957 under the Nice Agreement, organizes marks into 45 categories—Classes 1–34 for goods and Classes 35–45 for services. This ensures that trademarks are compared within the same or related fields, minimizing confusion among businesses and consumers.

Trademark Class 27

Trademark Class 27 includes:

• Carpets
• Rugs
• Mats and matting
• Linoleum
• Other materials used as floor coverings
• Non-textile wall hangings

This class is specifically meant for goods that are add-ons to existing floors and walls.

Items not covered under Class 27:

• Wooden flooring and other permanent construction materials (classified under Class 19).

Related Classes

Because trademarks often overlap with related industries, applicants filing under Class 27 may also need to consider the following related classes:

• Class 19 – Building and construction materials (e.g., wooden flooring).
• Class 24 – Textiles and textile goods (e.g., upholstery fabrics).
• Class 35 – Advertising and business management services.
• Class 37 – Construction, repair, and installation services.
• Class 42 – Scientific and technological services.

Importance of Correct Classification

Each trademark application is filed and charged per class. If your product spans multiple categories, you must file separately for each. For example, registering a mark for Class 5 (pharmaceuticals) and Class 10 (medical instruments) requires two separate filings and fees.

Filing in the wrong class can be costly. IPOPHL may reject the application, forcing you to restart the process. This was emphasized in Samson v. Nike, Inc. (G.R. No. 195994, July 23, 2014), where the Supreme Court highlighted the importance of protecting goods within their correct class to avoid consumer confusion.

Example of Class 27 in Practice

A Philippine rug manufacturer seeking to protect its brand should file under Class 27. However, if the same brand also sells wooden tiles, it must separately file under Class 19. Failure to do so may leave its flooring products vulnerable to competitors.

Key Takeaway

Registering under the proper class is crucial to ensuring strong protection. If you are uncertain about the classification of your goods or services, consulting an accredited IP agent like Brealant (Makati), or other firms such as Federis or Hechanova, can help streamline the process and avoid costly mistakes.

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