Trademark Class 16: Paper, Stationery & Printed Matter
Class 16 covers paper and cardboard, printed matter, books, stationery, office requisites, artists' materials, plastic packaging materials and instructional material. Publishing as a service is Class 41; downloadable e-books are Class 9.
What Class 16 covers
India follows the NICE Classification (11th edition) — 45 classes in total, 34 for goods and 11 for services. Class 16 sits in the goods group. Your trademark is only protected for the goods or services listed in the class you file, which is why picking Class 16 correctly matters more than the logo itself.
- Books, magazines, newspapers and printed matter
- Notebooks, diaries and writing paper
- Pens, pencils and stationery items
- Office requisites and adhesives for stationery
- Artists' and drawing materials
- Paper and plastic packaging, bags and cartons
What Class 16 does NOT cover
| Frequently confused item | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Downloadable e-books | Class 9 |
| Publishing and editorial services | Class 41 |
| Printing services | Class 40 |
| Industrial adhesives | Class 1 |
Examples of goods/services in Class 16
Who files in Class 16
- Stationery brands
- Publishers
- Packaging companies
- Printing houses
- Art-supply brands
Class 16 government fees
| Applicant type | e-Filing fee | Physical filing | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | e-filing is cheaper — always file online |
| Startup (DPIIT recognised) | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | DPIIT certificate must be attached |
| MSME (Udyam registered) | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | Udyam certificate must be attached |
| Company / LLP / Partnership (non-MSME) | ₹9,000 per class | ₹10,000 per class | Register under Udyam first and save 50% |
Taxpex professional fee for a Class 16 filing starts at ₹1,999 and includes a clearance search, TM-48 drafting, filing and objection tracking until registration.
Class 16 filing timeline
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Search & class confirmation | Same day | We run a Class 16 search on the IP India database |
| Filing (TM-A) | 24-48 hours | Application number issued — ™ can be used immediately |
| Examination report | 3-8 months | Registry raises objections under Section 9/11 if any |
| Objection reply / hearing | 1-4 months | We draft and file the reply, appear at hearings |
| Journal publication | 2-4 months | 4-month opposition window opens |
| Registration certificate | 8-18 months total | ® symbol can be used, valid 10 years |
Protect your brand in Class 16
Free class check · ™ in 24-48 hours · CA & IP-attorney led.
Classes usually filed with Class 16
Class 16 (Paper, Stationery & Printed Matter) — questions answered
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Content refreshed against the latest CBIC / CBDT / MCA notifications and portal changes.
Chartered Accountant · ICAI Member · 12+ years in Indian tax & compliance
- 15 September 2026Reviewed rates, forms and portal workflow for Trademark Class 16. Verified against latest CBIC/CBDT notifications.
- 10 January 2026Refreshed FAQ set, added new penalty examples and jurisdiction notes.
- 05 October 2025Structural rewrite for EEAT — added expert commentary, playbooks and process timeline.