What is Trademark Class 16 in India?
TM Class 16 (Trademark Class 16) covers paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery and office requisites (except furniture); adhesives for stationery; artists’ and drawing materials; instructional and teaching material; and plastic materials for packaging — under the NICE Classification 13th Edition used by IP India.
In plain terms: all physical books, textbooks, novels, children’s books, comic books, magazines, newspapers; stationery including pens, ballpoint pens, fountain pens, gel pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, erasers, rulers and sharpeners; paper products including A4 paper, kraft paper, cardboard and tissue paper; notebooks, exercise books, diaries, planners and drawing books; paper packaging including paper bags, cardboard boxes, gift wrapping paper and envelopes; photographs (printed); teaching aids including flash cards, wall charts and educational maps; and stationery adhesives including glue sticks and tape — every product in India’s ₹40,000 Crore stationery, paper and publishing industry.
India is among the world’s top 3 paper consumers with 800+ publishing houses producing 90,000+ book titles annually. Class 16 trademark filings come from stationery brands (Classmate, Camlin, Luxor), textbook publishers (Navneet, S. Chand), newspaper groups (Hindustan Times, Times of India), packaging companies and school stationery manufacturers.
If your product is a physical paper or card-based item, OR something printed on paper/cardboard — it belongs in Class 16.
✅ Physical book, textbook, novel
✅ Notebook, diary, planner (paper)
✅ Pen, pencil, marker, eraser
✅ Newspaper (print edition)
✅ Paper bag, cardboard box, envelope
✅ Flash cards, wall charts (printed)
✖ E-book / digital magazine = Class 9
✖ Book publishing service = Class 41
✖ Bookshop / stationery store = Class 35
✖ Printer ink / toner = Class 2
✖ Book printing service = Class 40
✖ Office furniture = Class 20
TM Class 16 in India covers all paper and cardboard goods, printed matter including books and newspapers, stationery items including pens and notebooks, office supplies, packaging materials and teaching aids — under NICE 13th Edition 2026. India’s ₹40,000 Crore stationery and paper industry makes Class 16 one of the most-filed trademark classes with 65,000+ annual applications at IP India.
Complete List of Goods Under Trademark Class 16
Official NICE 13th Edition goods covered under TM Class 16 in India, organised by product category.
Books & Publications
- Textbooks, academic books and reference books
- Novels, fiction, non-fiction and self-help books
- Children’s books, picture books and board books
- Comic books, graphic novels and manga
- Dictionaries, encyclopaedias and atlases
- Religious books: Bhagavad Gita, Quran, Bible, Guru Granth Sahib
Newspapers, Magazines & Journals
- Daily newspapers (printed editions)
- Weekly and monthly magazines
- Scientific and academic journals
- Trade and industry publications
- Newsletters, bulletins and periodicals
- Brochures, catalogues, flyers and pamphlets
Writing Instruments & Stationery
- Ballpoint pens, gel pens, rollerball pens
- Fountain pens and ink cartridges for pens
- Pencils, mechanical pencils and coloured pencils
- Markers, highlighters and sketch pens
- Erasers, sharpeners and correction fluid
- Rulers, set squares, protractors and compasses
Paper & Cardboard Products
- Printing and writing paper (A4, A3, legal)
- Kraft paper, butcher paper and tissue paper
- Carbon paper, tracing paper and greaseproof paper
- Cardboard, pasteboard and corrugated board
- Wallpaper and decorative paper
- Disposable paper products (napkins, plates, cups)
Notebooks, Diaries & Office Supplies
- Notebooks, exercise books and composition books
- Diaries, planners, journals and organizers
- Graph books, drawing books and sketch pads
- Ring binders, lever arch files and folders
- Staplers, staples, paper clips and binder clips
- Scissors, letter openers and desktop accessories
Paper Packaging & Bags
- Paper carry bags and shopping bags
- Gift wrapping paper and tissue paper for gifts
- Corrugated cardboard boxes and packing cartons
- Paper labels, stickers and adhesive labels
- Envelopes, posting bags and padded mailers
- Paper cups, paper plates and food-grade paper
Teaching Aids & Educational Materials
- Flash cards and vocabulary learning cards
- Wall charts, classroom posters and displays
- Educational maps and geographic charts
- Activity books, colouring books and workbooks
- Question papers, answer sheets and exam stationery
- Printed certificates, diplomas and award documents
Photographs, Prints & Adhesives
- Printed photographs and photo prints
- Art prints, fine art posters and reproduction prints
- Printed greetings cards and invitation cards
- Printed calendars (wall, desk and pocket)
- Glue sticks, paper glue and stationery adhesives
- Double-sided tape, masking tape and stationery tape
TM Class 16 vs Class 9 vs Class 41 vs Class 35 — Complete IP Guide
The most commonly confused trademark classes for India’s publishing, stationery, e-learning and office supply brands.
Key Rule: Class 16 = physical paper/printed product. Class 9 = digital/electronic version of the same content. Class 41 = the service of publishing, educating or providing news. Class 35 = the retail business selling books or stationery. Publishers typically need all four classes.
Class 16 — Physical Products
Class 9 — Digital Versions
✅ Physical books, notebooks, pens, paper, packaging, stationery → Class 16
✅ E-books, digital magazines, educational apps, PDFs → Class 9
✅ Book publishing service, library, online education, journalism → Class 41
✅ Online bookstore, stationery retail shop, newspaper distribution → Class 35
What is NOT Included in Trademark Class 16?
Goods and services commonly confused with Class 16 that belong in other NICE classes.
| Excluded Goods / Services | Correct Class | Why Excluded from Class 16 |
|---|---|---|
| E-books, digital publications, PDFs, online magazines | Class 9 | Electronic/digital versions = Class 9; physical printed books = Class 16 |
| Book publishing services and library services | Class 41 | Service of publishing or providing information = Class 41; physical book = Class 16 |
| Online bookstores and stationery retail shops | Class 35 | Retail and business services = Class 35; Class 16 covers the physical product only |
| Book printing and paper manufacturing services | Class 40 | Material treatment/manufacturing = Class 40; finished printed book product = Class 16 |
| Office furniture: desks, chairs, bookshelves | Class 20 | Furniture = Class 20; office stationery supplies and paper goods = Class 16 |
| Printer ink, inkjet cartridges and toner | Class 2 | Inks for printing machines = Class 2; stamp pads and pen cartridge ink = Class 16 |
| Digital pens, styluses and e-ink writing devices | Class 9 | Electronic writing devices = Class 9; traditional pens and pencils = Class 16 |
| Plastic bags and synthetic packaging | Class 17 | Rubber and synthetic packaging = Class 17; paper and cardboard packaging = Class 16 |
| Advertising services and marketing agencies | Class 35 | Advertising services = Class 35; printed brochures and flyers (physical product) = Class 16 |
Who Should Register Under Trademark Class 16?
Stationery Brands
School and office stationery manufacturers, pen and pencil companies, marker and eraser brands targeting India’s 250 million school students and corporate market
Book Publishers
Academic textbook publishers, curriculum book companies, fiction and non-fiction publishers targeting India’s ₹12,000 Crore books market
Newspaper & Magazine Groups
Daily newspaper brands, weekly magazine publishers and print media groups — Class 16 for physical editions, Class 41 for journalism, Class 9 for digital editions
Paper Packaging Manufacturers
Paper bag manufacturers, cardboard box brands, corrugated packaging companies and eco-friendly packaging brands in India’s sustainable packaging market
Notebook & Diary Brands
Branded notebook companies, diary and planner brands, journal makers and premium stationery brands targeting India’s growing corporate gifting market
Educational Material Brands
Flash card brands, wall chart producers, educational poster companies and workbook publishers serving India’s school and competitive exam market
Photo & Greeting Card Brands
Photo print companies, greeting card brands, invitation card makers and art print sellers targeting India’s ₹3,000 Crore gifting market
Office Supply & Adhesive Brands
Glue and adhesive brands, tape manufacturers, stapler companies and office supply brands targeting India’s massive corporate and government market
Famous Indian Brands Registered Under TM Class 16
Classmate (ITC Ltd)
India’s largest stationery brand — Classmate notebooks, pens, geometry sets. Over 20% school stationery market share with 400 crore notebooks sold cumulatively.
Navneet Education
India’s largest curriculum textbook publisher — Navneet notebooks and question banks are Class 16. Maharashtra and Gujarat school curriculum mainstay since 1959.
Camlin / Kokuyo Camlin
India’s most loved art stationery brand (est. 1931, Mumbai) — Camlin pens, markers, sketch pens, crayons and geometry boxes are Class 16. Acquired by Japan’s Kokuyo in 2011.
Luxor Writing Instruments
India’s largest pen manufacturer (Delhi, est. 1963) — Luxor, Parker India, Schneider pens all Class 16. Produces 2 million pens per day, exports to 65+ countries.
Hindustan Pencils (Nataraj/Apsara)
India’s largest pencil manufacturer — Nataraj and Apsara brands are Class 16. Produces 1 billion pencils per year, supplying schools across India and 50+ export countries.
S. Chand Group
India’s largest educational publisher (New Delhi, est. 1939) — textbooks for CBSE, ICSE and state boards. Class 16 for books, Class 41 for education, Class 9 for digital.
Hindustan Times Group
India’s leading English newspaper — Class 16 for print editions, Class 41 for journalism services, Class 9 for HT Digital (hindustantimes.com).
Reynolds India (Cello Group)
Reynolds — India’s most recognised ballpoint pen brand for school and office. Cello Group also registers Cello pens, notebooks and stationery under Class 16.
Coordinated Classes for Paper & Stationery Brands
Class 16 protects your physical paper, printed and stationery products. The digital version, publishing service, retail shop and printing service each need separate registration.
E-books, digital publications, PDFs, educational software and digital magazines
Printer inks, inkjet cartridges, toner and artist colours for printing machines
Online bookstore, stationery retail shop, newspaper distribution and office supply wholesale
Book printing service, paper manufacturing and custom printing services
Book publishing service, library service, online education platform and journalism
Office desks, chairs, bookshelves and filing cabinets — not Class 16 stationery
How to Register a Trademark Under Class 16 in India
Comprehensive Trademark Search
Search tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in for similar marks in Class 16. Also search Class 9 and Class 41 for adjacent conflicts. Class 16 is highly competitive — Classmate, Camlin, Luxor, Navneet have extensive portfolios. Search in English, Hindi and regional scripts.
Choose Applicant Type
Select: Individual (₹4,500), DPIIT Startup (₹4,500), Udyam MSME (₹4,500), or Company/LLP (₹9,000). Small stationery manufacturers and regional publishers should register as MSME to save 50% on fees.
Define Class 16 Goods Precisely
Use NICE 13th Edition language. For books: “Books; textbooks; printed matter; publications”. For stationery: “Pens; pencils; notebooks; stationery; office requisites”. For packaging: “Paper bags; cardboard boxes; wrapping paper”.
File TM-A Online
File on IP India’s portal (ipindiaonline.gov.in). Application number issued immediately. Start using ™ symbol on all stationery, books and packaging products from this date.
Respond to Examination Report
Common objections: descriptive terms (“GoodBook”, “QuickNotes”), similarity to Classmate/Camlin/Navneet/Luxor. Respond within 30 days with invoices and dealer certificates.
Journal Publication & Certificate
After examination, mark published in Trade Marks Journal for 4 months. If unopposed, registration certificate issued. Use ® only after certificate. Tip: File 12 months before back-to-school season (April–June) to be protected during peak stationery sales.
Documents Required for Class 16 Trademark Registration
Identity Proof
Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport or voter ID of the applicant (individual) or authorised signatory (company/LLP)
Address Proof
Utility bill, rental agreement or property document for the applicant’s address as registered with IP India
Business Proof
GST registration certificate, Udyam MSME certificate (for 50% fee concession), company incorporation certificate or partnership deed
Trademark Logo (if logo mark)
High-resolution logo in JPG/PNG format (min 8cm × 8cm, 300 DPI). Wordmarks do not require a logo file
Proof of Use (if claiming prior use)
Invoices, purchase orders, product packaging, advertisements showing use of the mark on stationery, books or paper products
Class 16 Goods Description
Precise NICE wording: “Notebooks; diaries; printed books; stationery; pens; pencils; paper bags; cardboard boxes; wrapping paper; flash cards; photographs; adhesives for stationery”
Trademark Class 16 Registration Fees India 2026
Class 16 Trademark Registration Timeline India
File on IP India portal. Application number issued immediately. Start using ™ symbol on all stationery, books and packaging products from this date.
IP India checks formalities. Vienna Codification assigned for logo marks. Status visible on trademark status portal.
Examination report issued if objections exist. Common Class 16 objections: descriptive marks, similarity to Classmate/Camlin/Navneet. Respond within 30 days.
If examination response insufficient, hearing scheduled. Most marks accepted after well-prepared hearing response.
Mark published in Trade Marks Journal for 4 months. Most stationery and publishing marks pass unopposed.
Certificate issued. Use ® symbol. Valid 10 years from filing date. Renew before expiry using Form TM-R (₹9,000).
Frequently Asked Questions — TM Class 16 India
Top questions about TM Class 16 trademark registration in India, answered.
TM Class 16 covers eight major product categories — books and publications, writing instruments, paper and cardboard, packaging materials, notebooks and diaries, teaching aids, photographs and prints, and office supplies — under NICE 13th Edition 2026. India’s stationery market of ₹40,000 Crore serves 250 million school students plus millions of businesses and publishers.
Protect Your Paper, Stationery & Publishing Brand in India
India’s stationery market of ₹40,000 Crore serves 250 million school students, 63 million SMEs and one of the world’s largest publishing industries. Register your Class 16 trademark from ₹4,500 today.
Browse All 45 Trademark Classes
India uses the NICE Classification for all trademark registrations. Explore all 45 classes.