Trademark Registration – Classification Guide Class 17 in Japan

What is the classification of Class 17?

I want to specify various goods related to rubber.
Where should I start?

First, let’s consider the goods in Class 17.
Most of the goods related to rubber are included in Class 17, but there are some goods that belong to other classes.

So there are cases where a classification other than Class 17 is necessary.
What kind of goods are those?

On this page, we will explain what kinds of goods are included in Class 17.
Before you apply for a trademark in Japan, make sure you know whether your product is included in Class 17 or in another class!

Class 17 is a classification for materials for electrical insulation, heat insulation and soundproofing, rubber, plastics for manufacturing, etc.

Class 17 mainly includes the following goods.

• Materials for electrical insulation, heat insulation and soundproofing
• Plastics for manufacturing
• Specified goods consisting of gutta-percha, gum, asbestos and mica, and substitutes thereof

The inclusion of rubber and various rubber products, among other things, is also a feature of Class 17.

Goods included in Class 17 and not included in Class 17.

List of main goods in Class 17

The main goods included in Class 17 are listed below.
These goods can be designated and applied for by Amazing DX_®.

• mica [raw or partly processed]
• valves of rubber or vulcanized fiber [not including machine elements]
• gaskets
• junctions for pipes, not of metal
• joint packings
• floating anti-pollution barriers
• electrical insulating materials
• washers of rubber or vulcanized fiber
• chemical fiber, not for textile use
• rock wool
• slag wool
• rubber thread and covered rubber yarn, not for textile use
• chemical fiber yarn and thread, not for textile use
• insulating gloves
• rubber cords and laces
• industrial packaging containers of rubber
• rubber stoppers
• rubber lids and caps for industrial packaging containers
• plastic sheeting for agricultural purposes
• condenser paper
• vulcanized fiber
• adhesive tapes, other than stationery and not for medical or household purposes
• plastic semi-worked products
• rubber [raw or semi-worked]
• soundproofing materials of rock wool, not for building purposes

The above “main goods included in Class 17” is just one example.
Let’s take a concrete look at what other goods are included in Class 17 and what goods are not.

What should you do if you want to specify such items? (Goods included in Class 17)

Rubber-related goods

→When you want to specify such a product in Amazing DX_®, please specify the item that the product is included in.

For example,

Plastics and synthetic resins for manufacturing

→When you want to specify such a good in Amazing DX_®, please specify “plastic semi-worked products“.

For example,

• boards and plates of plastics
• plastic tapes and strips [as material]
• acrylic resins, semi-processed
• plastic film, other than for wrapping
• anti-dazzle films for windows [tinted films]
  etc.

Goods related chemical fiber

→When you want to specify such a product in Amazing DX_®, please specify the goods that contains the product.

For example,

Materials for electrical insulation

→When you want to specify such a product in Amazing DX_®, please specify “electrical insulating materials“.
However, for gloves for electrical insulating, please specify “insulating gloves“.

For example,

• electrical insulating tapes
• electrical insulating paints
• electrical insulating oils
• electrical insulating paper products
• electrical insulating rubber products
• electrical insulating fabric products
  etc.

Products for “electrical insulation” are included in “electrical insulating materials“, even if they are made of rubber.
When you choose a designated goods, you should also pay attention to the use and purpose of the goods.

Adhesive tape NOT for medical, office (stationery), or household use

→When you want to specify such a product in Amazing DX_®, please specify “adhesive tapes, other than stationery and not for medical or household purposes“.

For example,

• duct tapes
• self-adhesive tapes, other than stationery and not for medical or household purposes
  etc.

Other goods included in Class 17

→When you want to specify such products in Amazing DX_®, please consult with our patent attorney in chat.

For example,

• rubber material for recapping tires
• foam supports for flower arrangements [semi-finished products]
• packing [cushioning, stuffing] materials of rubber or plastics
  etc.

Goods NOT included in Class 17

Goods whose raw materials are goods of class 17, but are characterized by functions or uses classified in other classes

For example,

For example, Class 5 includes goods related to medical care.
“Rubber for dental purposes” is a goods of Class 5, not Class 17, because it is for medical use.

So not only do I need to pay attention to what the product is “made of,” I also need to pay attention to what it’s “for!”

Chemical fiber related for textile use

For example,

Other goods NOT included in Class 17

• rigid pipes of metal [Class 6]
• fire hose [Class 9]
• pipes [parts of sanitary installations] [Class 11]
• rigid pipes, not of metal, for building [Class 19]
• insulating glass for building [Class 19]
  etc.

Let’s file a trademark application in Japan, designating goods in Class 17!

Class 17 is a classification for materials for electrical insulation, heat insulation and soundproofing, rubber, plastics for manufacturing, etc.
If you are dealing with these products in Japan, please consider filing a trademark application designating Class 17 first.

Amazing DX_® allows you to easily select your designated goods and services online.
First, please select as many goods and services as possible. After the search, it is easy to exclude the goods marked with × and search again.

If you are not sure which goods or services to select, please feel free to contact us via chat. Our attorneys specializing in trademarks will be happy to answer your questions.

Reference: Japan Patent Office, “Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 11th Edition, Version 2022)”