Quick Answer

Class 16 covers paper, print & stationery in India's Nice Classification trademark system. If your business operates in this space, Class 16 is your primary or an essential trademark class. Search your brand free at tmpublicsearch.com before filing.

What Does Class 16 Cover?

  • Paper and cardboard products
  • Books, magazines, newspapers, and periodicals
  • Notebooks, notepads, diaries, and journals
  • Stationery — pens, pencils, markers, erasers, rulers
  • Office supplies — files, folders, binders, paper clips
  • Printed educational materials — textbooks, workbooks
  • Photographs and photographic prints
  • Calendars and greeting cards
  • Packaging materials made of paper or cardboard
  • Printing types and printing blocks

What Class 16 Does NOT Cover

  • Printing services → Class 40
  • Publishing services → Class 41
  • Digital books/e-books as downloads → Class 9
  • Educational services → Class 41

Who Needs to File in Class 16?

  • Publishers — book publishers, magazine publishers
  • Stationery brands
  • Notebooks and diary brands
  • Greeting card companies
  • Educational material publishers

Indian Brand Examples — Class 16

BrandClass 16 Coverage
CamlinIndia's most recognized stationery brand — Class 16
Classmate (ITC)Notebooks and stationery — Class 16
NavNeet PublicationsEducational books publisher — Class 16
ReynoldsBall pens — Class 16
Hindustan TimesNewspaper brand — Class 16 and Class 41

Filing Fees — Class 16

Applicant TypeE-filing fee
Individual / MSME / Startup₹4,500
Company / LLP / Partnership₹9,000
Filing Tip — Class 16

Publishers often need both Class 16 (physical books and magazines) and Class 41 (publishing services, digital content). If you also offer online or digital educational content, Class 9 (downloadable content) may additionally apply.

Before filing in Class 16, run a thorough trademark public search. Use tmpublicsearch.com — select Class 16 in the class filter, enter your brand name, and review all existing registrations and applications.

Look for: identical marks, phonetically similar marks (marks that sound like yours), conceptually similar marks (marks with the same meaning), and marks in related classes that may cause confusion.

Class 16 Strategy

Filing in Class 16 protects your brand specifically for paper, print & stationery activities. If your business spans multiple activities, you may need additional classes. Book a free consultation — our IP attorneys will advise which classes you actually need.