Trademark Class 27 Floor and Wall Coverings

28-Oct-2024 By Advocate Chandra Kant (Advocate & IPR Consultant)

Trademark Class 27: Floor and Wall Coverings - Comprehensive Guide to EUIPO Classification

Trademark Class 27, as outlined by the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office), encompasses products specifically for **floor and wall coverings**. This classification is essential for businesses dealing with residential, commercial, and industrial floor and wall applications. Items under Class 27 are often used for protection, decoration, or insulation purposes. In this guide, we delve into the specific categories within Class 27, exclusions, and related trademark classes, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate trademark registration within this classification.

What is Trademark Class 27?

Trademark Class 27 focuses on products designed primarily to cover floors and walls, extending to carpets, rugs, and synthetic turf. **This class does not cover building materials or permanent structural elements** but rather the decorative and functional coverings applied to them. Class 27 serves a wide range of industries, from interior design and construction to sports field management, by encompassing goods used in residential, commercial, and specialized environments.

Broader Classifications Under Trademark Class 27

The following are broader categories within Trademark Class 27, each with examples of items commonly classified within this category:

1. Carpets, Rugs, and Mats

This subcategory includes products meant for floor covering, providing comfort, insulation, or decorative appeal. Examples include:

Carpets: Floor coverings designed to cover large areas, including wall-to-wall installations and fitted carpets.

Rugs: Movable, decorative floor coverings used to enhance aesthetics or protect floors.

Mats: Mats of various sizes and materials, such as welcome mats, bathroom mats, and doormats, which serve both functional and decorative purposes.

2. Non-Textile Floor Coverings

Class 27 includes non-textile floor coverings, which serve as alternatives to traditional carpeting. Examples are:

Vinyl Flooring: Durable, synthetic flooring, often used in high-traffic areas for its resilience and easy maintenance.

Linoleum: Made from natural materials, linoleum flooring is known for its eco-friendly properties and is widely used in both residential and commercial spaces.

Rubber Flooring: Commonly used in gyms, playgrounds, and industrial settings due to its shock-absorbing properties.

3. Artificial Turf and Outdoor Coverings

This subcategory encompasses outdoor coverings designed to mimic natural landscapes or provide specialized surface properties. Items here include:

Artificial Turf: Synthetic grass used for sports fields, landscaping, and residential lawns.

Outdoor Carpets: Weather-resistant carpets suitable for outdoor spaces such as patios and decks.

Grass Mats: Floor coverings designed to resemble natural grass, often used for recreational or decorative purposes.

4. Wallpaper and Wall Coverings

Class 27 also covers decorative items for walls, including materials meant to cover or enhance wall surfaces. Examples include:

Wallpaper: Rolls of decorative paper used to cover and decorate interior walls.

Wall Murals: Large images or designs printed on paper, vinyl, or fabric and used as accent pieces or entire wall coverings.

Fabric Wall Coverings: Textured fabric materials applied to walls for a unique aesthetic or acoustic benefits.

5. Floor Protection Mats and Anti-Fatigue Mats

This category focuses on functional mats designed to provide protection and support. Common items include:

Chair Mats: Placed under office chairs to protect flooring from wear and tear.

Anti-Fatigue Mats: Specialized mats used in kitchens, factories, or workstations to reduce stress on feet and joints during prolonged standing.

Desk Mats: Protect surfaces of desks from scratches and spills, often with a cushioned design for additional comfort.

6. Specialty Floor Coverings

This includes floor coverings for specific applications or industries, ranging from health and safety to custom designs. Examples include:

Soundproofing Floor Mats: Designed to minimize sound transmission between floors, especially useful in apartment buildings and offices.

Logo Mats: Custom-designed mats featuring logos or branding, often used in retail and corporate spaces for brand visibility.

Floor Graphics: Adhesive graphics or decals applied to floors for decorative or directional purposes, commonly seen in retail and event spaces.

Which Related Goods/Services Cannot Be Classified Under Class 27

While many items might seem related to floor and wall coverings, certain products and services do not fall under Class 27. Below is a list of items that, although similar, are classified in other trademark classes.

1. Building and Construction Materials

Permanent fixtures and structural elements of buildings fall outside Class 27 and are typically categorized under Class 19:

Wooden Flooring: Hardwood, bamboo, and other permanent floor materials are classified under Class 19.

Tiles and Ceramics: Floor and wall tiles, whether ceramic, porcelain, or stone, are also classified under Class 19.

Concrete Slabs: Concrete and other permanent construction materials fall under Class 19.

2. Furniture and Interior Fittings

Interior design elements not meant to cover walls or floors are classified in different classes, primarily Class 20:

Furniture: Chairs, tables, and other furniture items belong to Class 20, as they are movable fixtures rather than floor or wall coverings.

Curtains and Blinds: Though used in interior spaces, window coverings are classified under Class 24.

3. Industrial Cleaning and Maintenance Services

Services related to the cleaning and maintenance of floors and walls, as opposed to physical coverings, belong in Class 37:

Floor Cleaning Services: Services like carpet cleaning and floor polishing are classified under Class 37.

Maintenance Services: General maintenance or repair services for walls or floors are not covered under Class 27.

4. Protective and Functional Gear

Items with protective or functional purposes unrelated to floor or wall coverings fall outside of Class 27. These may include:

Protective Floor Mats for Vehicles: Classified under Class 12, as these mats are considered parts of a vehicle’s structure.

Industrial Safety Mats: Heavy-duty mats designed to protect against industrial hazards fall under Class 9 for safety equipment.

5. Paper and Stationery

Stationery items, such as craft paper or adhesive decals, not intended as floor or wall coverings belong in Class 16:

Craft Paper: Decorative paper used in arts and crafts but not intended as wall coverings.

Stationery Stickers: Decorative stickers intended for notebooks or personal items rather than floors or walls.

Goods and Services Not Classified Under Class 27

For clarity, here is a summary of items and services excluded from Class 27 along with their respective classifications:

Building Materials: Class 19

Furniture: Class 20

Cleaning Services: Class 37

Industrial Safety Equipment: Class 9

Stationery and Craft Paper: Class 16

Goods Classified Under Class 27: A Comprehensive List from the EUIPO

Below is the official list of goods classified under Class 27-

Anti-fatigue floor mats Trademark Class-27

Anti-slip floor coverings for use on staircases Trademark Class-27

Anti-slip material for use under rugs Trademark Class-27

Anti-slip material for use under floor coverings Trademark Class-27

Anti-slip material for use under carpets Trademark Class-27

Area rugs Trademark Class-27

Artificial grass Trademark Class-27

Artificial ground coverings Trademark Class-27

Artificial lawn Trademark Class-27

Artificial turf Trademark Class-27

Artificial turf for laying on the surfaces of recreational areas Trademark Class-27

Automobile carpets Trademark Class-27

Bath mats Trademark Class-27

Bathroom mats Trademark Class-27

Bathroom rugs Trademark Class-27

Bathroom tiles [carpet] Trademark Class-27

Beach mats Trademark Class-27

Car mats Trademark Class-27

Carpet backing Trademark Class-27

Carpet inlays Trademark Class-27

Carpet padding Trademark Class-27

Carpet runners Trademark Class-27

Carpet tile backing Trademark Class-27

Carpet tiles Trademark Class-27

Carpet tiles for covering floors Trademark Class-27

Carpet tiles made of plastics Trademark Class-27

Carpet tiles made of rubber Trademark Class-27

Carpet tiles made of textiles Trademark Class-27

Carpet underlay Trademark Class-27

Carpet underlays Trademark Class-27

Carpet underlining Trademark Class-27

Carpeting Trademark Class-27

Carpeting for vehicles Trademark Class-27

Carpets Trademark Class-27

Carpets for automobiles Trademark Class-27

Carpets, rugs and mats Trademark Class-27

Carpets [textile] Trademark Class-27

Ceiling coverings made of paper Trademark Class-27

Ceiling paper Trademark Class-27

Chair mats [under-chair floor protector] Trademark Class-27

Cloth wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Cork mats Trademark Class-27

Cork tiles Trademark Class-27

Coverings (Floor -) Trademark Class-27

Coverings for existing floors Trademark Class-27

Decorative slip-resistant floor coverings in sheet form Trademark Class-27

Decorative wall hangings, not of textile Trademark Class-27

Diatomite bath mats Trademark Class-27

Disposable absorbent floor pads Trademark Class-27

Door mats Trademark Class-27

Door mats of india rubber Trademark Class-27

Door mats of textile Trademark Class-27

Fabric bath mats Trademark Class-27

Fabric wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Fencing pistes Trademark Class-27

Floor coverings Trademark Class-27

Floor coverings and artificial ground coverings Trademark Class-27

Floor coverings [for existing floors] Trademark Class-27

Floor coverings having insulating properties Trademark Class-27

Floor coverings [mats] being sheet materials for use in sporting activities Trademark Class-27

Floor coverings [mats] for use in sporting activities Trademark Class-27

Floor coverings [mats] for use in gymnastic activities Trademark Class-27

Floor mats Trademark Class-27

Floor mats, fire-resistant, for fireplaces and barbecues Trademark Class-27

Floor mats for automobiles Trademark Class-27

Floor mats for vehicles Trademark Class-27

Floor mats of cork Trademark Class-27

Floor tiles made of carpet Trademark Class-27

Floor tiles made of cork Trademark Class-27

Floors coverings of rubber Trademark Class-27

Foam mats for use on play area surfaces Trademark Class-27

Friezes [non-textile wall hangings] Trademark Class-27

Fur rugs Trademark Class-27

Goza rush mats Trademark Class-27

Grass (Artificial -) Trademark Class-27

Gymnasium exercise mats Trademark Class-27

Gymnasium mats Trademark Class-27

Gymnastic mats Trademark Class-27

Hana-mushiro [rush mats with floral patterns] Trademark Class-27

Hand made woollen carpets Trademark Class-27

Handcrafted non-textile wall hangings Trademark Class-27

Hangings (Wall -), not of textile Trademark Class-27

Hard surface coverings for floors Trademark Class-27

Heel protectors [mats] to prevent scuffing whilst driving the vehicle Trademark Class-27

Horse stall floor mats Trademark Class-27

Imitation turf for use in covering surfaces for sports purposes Trademark Class-27

Imitation turf for use in covering surfaces for recreational purposes Trademark Class-27

Imitation turf for use in covering surfaces for games Trademark Class-27

Imitation turf for use in covering surfaces for athletics Trademark Class-27

Insulating wallpaper Trademark Class-27

Interlocking floor runners Trademark Class-27

Japanese rice straw mats (tatami mats) Trademark Class-27

Linoleum Trademark Class-27

Linoleum floor coverings Trademark Class-27

Linoleum for covering existing floors Trademark Class-27

Linoleum for use on floors Trademark Class-27

Linoleum tiles Trademark Class-27

Linoleum tiles [floor coverings] Trademark Class-27

Materials for covering existing floors Trademark Class-27

Mats Trademark Class-27

Mats for vehicles [not shaped] Trademark Class-27

Mats of woven rope for creating ski slope surfaces Trademark Class-27

Mats of woven rope for ski slopes Trademark Class-27

Matting Trademark Class-27

Matting [for covering existing floors] Trademark Class-27

Moquettes [carpets] Trademark Class-27

Mural hangings [non-textile] Trademark Class-27

Mushiro straw mats Trademark Class-27

Non-slip floor mats for use under apparatus Trademark Class-27

Non-slip mats Trademark Class-27

Non-slip mats for baths Trademark Class-27

Non-slip mats for showers Trademark Class-27

Non-slip underlays Trademark Class-27

Non-textile wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Non-textile wall hangings Trademark Class-27

Non-textile wallpaper Trademark Class-27

Oriental non-woven rugs (mosen) Trademark Class-27

Padded coverings for existing ceilings Trademark Class-27

Padded coverings for existing floors Trademark Class-27

Padded linings for existing ceilings Trademark Class-27

Padded linings for existing floors Trademark Class-27

Padded linings for existing walls Trademark Class-27

Paper bath mats Trademark Class-27

Paper floor mats Trademark Class-27

Personal exercise mats Trademark Class-27

Personal sitting mats Trademark Class-27

Pet feeding mats Trademark Class-27

Plastic bath mats Trademark Class-27

Plastic wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Plastic wallpaper Trademark Class-27

Prayer mats Trademark Class-27

Prayer rugs Trademark Class-27

Primary carpet backing Trademark Class-27

Protective floor coverings Trademark Class-27

Puzzle mats [floor coverings] Trademark Class-27

Reed mats Trademark Class-27

Rubber bath mats Trademark Class-27

Rubber mats Trademark Class-27

Rugs Trademark Class-27

Rugs (Door -) Trademark Class-27

Rugs (Floor -) Trademark Class-27

Rugs for animals Trademark Class-27

Rugs [mats] Trademark Class-27

Runners [mats] Trademark Class-27

Rush mats with floral patterns (hana-mushiro) Trademark Class-27

Showermats Trademark Class-27

Ski slopes (Mats of woven rope for -) Trademark Class-27

Straw mats Trademark Class-27

Straw mats [mushiro] Trademark Class-27

Tapestry-style wall hangings, not of textile Trademark Class-27

Tapestry [wall hangings], not of textile Trademark Class-27

Tatami mats Trademark Class-27

Textile bath mats Trademark Class-27

Textile floor mats for use in the home Trademark Class-27

Textile lined wallpaper Trademark Class-27

Textile wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Textile wallpaper Trademark Class-27

Tiles (Carpet -) Trademark Class-27

Tiles made of linoleum Trademark Class-27

Tiles made of linoleum for fixing to existing floors Trademark Class-27

Tiles made of linoleum for fixing to existing walls Trademark Class-27

Turf (Artificial -) Trademark Class-27

Underlay for carpets Trademark Class-27

Underlay for mats Trademark Class-27

Underlayment padding for artificial turf Trademark Class-27

Underlays for carpeting Trademark Class-27

Underlays for rugs Trademark Class-27

Vehicle carpets Trademark Class-27

Vehicle mats and carpets Trademark Class-27

Vehicles mats and carpets Trademark Class-27

Vinyl floor coverings Trademark Class-27

Vinyl floor coverings for existing floors Trademark Class-27

Vinyl wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Vinyl wallpaper Trademark Class-27

Wall and ceiling coverings Trademark Class-27

Wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Wall coverings, not of textile Trademark Class-27

Wall coverings of cork Trademark Class-27

Wall coverings of paper Trademark Class-27

Wall coverings of plastic Trademark Class-27

Wall coverings of textile Trademark Class-27

Wall hangings [non-textile] Trademark Class-27

Wall hangings, not made of textile Trademark Class-27

Wall hangings, not of textile Trademark Class-27

Wall paper Trademark Class-27

Wall paper of vinyl Trademark Class-27

Wallcoverings Trademark Class-27

Wallhangings, not of textile Trademark Class-27

Wallpaper Trademark Class-27

Wallpaper borders Trademark Class-27

Wallpaper in the nature of roomsize decorative adhesive wall coverings Trademark Class-27

Wallpaper of cork Trademark Class-27

Wallpaper of plastic Trademark Class-27

Wallpaper with 3D visual effects Trademark Class-27

Wallpaper with a textile covering Trademark Class-27

Wallpapers Trademark Class-27

Wooden door mats Trademark Class-27

Wrestling mats Trademark Class-27

Yoga mats Trademark Class-27

Conclusion: Understanding Trademark Class 27 for Effective Brand Protection

Trademark Class 27 is integral to businesses offering products for floor and wall coverings. By understanding the scope of Class 27 and recognizing its exclusions, brand owners can effectively classify and protect their products, ensuring compliance with EUIPO standards. Recognizing the boundaries of Class 27 and related classes is crucial for effective intellectual property management.