Trademark Registration – Classification Guide Class 25 in Japan

• How to chose goods/services

What is the classification of Class 25 in Japan?

Our apparel department is going to launch a new brand of sports T-shirts. I want to register a trademark for the brand name. But what kind of designated goods should I designate?
Besides, we might launch tank tops and shoes under the same brand in the future.

For those products, you can designate “tee-shirts” in Class 25. You can also designate “tank-tops,” “shoes and boots [other than special footwear for sports]” and “special footwear for sports, other than horse-riding boots and windsurfing shoes” in the same Class 25.

“Special footwear for sports”?　What’s the difference between those and ordinary footwear?

This page explains what goods are included in the category “Class 25” in Japanese Trademark system.
Before you file a trademark application, make sure you know whether your product is in Class 25 or in another category!

Class 25 is a category of clothing, footwear and headgear for human.

Category 25 mainly includes clothing, footwear and headgear for human.

Goods included in Class 25 and Goods NOT included in Class 25

List of main goods in Class 25

The main goods included in Class 25 are listed below.
These goods can be designated by Amazing DX_®.

• non-Japanese style outerclothing
• coats
• sweaters
• shirts
• nightwear
• underwear [underclothing]
• swimwear [bathing suits]
• swimming caps [bathing caps]
• camisoles
• tank-tops
• tee-shirts
• Japanese traditional clothing
• sleep masks
• aprons [clothing]
• neck scarves
• socks and stockings other than special sportswear
• puttees and gaiters
• fur stoles
• shawls
• scarves [scarfs]
• Japanese style socks [Tabi]
• Japanese style socks covers [Tabi covers]
• gloves and mittens [clothing]
• neckties
• neckerchieves
• bandanas [neckerchiefs]
• thermal supporters [clothing]
• mufflers [clothing]
• ear muffs [clothing]
• nightcaps
• headgear for wear
• garters
• sock suspenders
• suspenders [braces]
• waistbands
• belts [clothing]
• shoes and boots [other than special footwear for sports]
• Japanese style wooden clogs [Geta]
• Japanese style sandals [Zori]
• masquerade costumes
• special footwear for sports, other than horse-riding boots and windsurfing shoes
• horse-riding boots
• windsurfing shoes
• clothes for sports, other than clothes for water sports
• clothes for water sports

The above list of “the main goods included in Class 25” is just an example.
Let’s take a closer look at what other goods are included in Class 25 and what goods are not.

What should you do if you want to specify such items? (Goods included in Class 25)

Items that are clothing, etc.

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

For example,

Parts of clothing, footwear and headgear

→When you want to specify such a product in Amazing DX_®, please specify the main body (“non-Japanese style outerclothing“, “nightwear“, “headgear for wear“, “shoes and boots [other than special footwear for sports]“, etc.) that uses the parts.

For example,

Clothing and footwear for exercise

→When you want to specify such a product in Amazing DX_®, please specify “special footwear for sports, other than horse-riding boots and windsurfing shoes“, “clothes for sports, other than clothes for water sports“, “non-Japanese style outerclothing“, “underwear [underclothing]“, “headgear for wear“, “shoes and boots [other than special footwear for sports]“, etc.

For example,

“Clothes for sports, other than clothes for water sports” and “special footwear for sports, other than horse-riding boots and windsurfing shoes” are clothes and footwear that are worn when exercising or playing sports. They are dissimilar goods from “non-Japanese style outerclothing” and “shoes and boots [other than special footwear for sports]” that are not for sports.
On the other hand, they are similar to “sports equipment, other than for climbing, surfing, water-skiing and scuba diving” in Class 28.

So clothes and footwear for sports should be designated as “clothes for sports, other than clothes for water sports” and “special footwear for sports, other than horse-riding boots and windsurfing shoes” instead of ordinary “non-Japanese style outerclothing” and “shoes and boots [other than special footwear for sports].”

Other goods included in Class 25

→If you would like to specify the following goods or other items in Amazing DX_®, please contact our patent attorneys via chat.

• paper clothing
• paper hats [clothing]
• bibs, sleeved, not of paper
• pocket squares
• footmuffs, not electrically heated

Goods NOT included in Class 25

Parts for making shoes

• shoe pegs of metal; shoe dowels of metal [class 6]
• shoe pegs, not of metal; shoe dowels, not of metal [class 20]

Small articles, clasps, etc. for sewing

• clasp fasteners
• buckles [clothing accessories]
• zip fasteners
• ribbons
• hat bands
• hat trimmings
• shoe ornaments, not of precious metal
  [All Class 26].

Those used for special purposes or in specific sports

• protective helmets; clothing for protection against fire [class 9]
• clothing especially for operating rooms; orthopaedic footwear [class 10]
• baseball gloves; boxing gloves; ice skates; skating boots [class 28]

“Football shoes” belong to Class 25, but “skating boots” belong to Class 28. Why?

Roughly speaking, “clothes, footwear, and headgear to be worn when playing sports” belong to Class 25. On the other hand, “equipment and tools for sports” belong to Class 28.

I see! The key is whether it’s “clothes, footwear, and headgear” or “equipment and tools”!

Other goods NOT included in Class 25.

• electrically heated clothing; footmuffs, electrically heated [class 11]
• strollers; fitted footmuffs for strollers [class 12]
• bibs of paper; handkerchiefs of paper [class 16]
• clothing for pets [class 18]
• handkerchiefs of textile [class 24]
• carnival masks; dolls’ clothes; paper party hats [class 28]

File a trademark application in Japan, designating goods in Class 25!

Class 25 is a classification for clothing, footwear and headgear for people. If you are in the apparel industry, you may want to consider filing a trademark application in Class 25 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 2021)”