Trademark Class 20: Furniture

Trademark Class 20 covers furniture, mirrors, storage containers, and certain non-metallic hardware. If your business manufactures or sells items such as bookshelves, couches, dressers, non-metal storage boxes, or furniture parts, securing a trademark under class 20 is essential to protect your brand. In this guide, we’ll explore what’s included in trademark class 20, how it relates to coordinated classes, the importance of a comprehensive trademark search, and what types of specimens are required for registration.

What Are Trademark Classes?

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) organizes trademarks into 45 different classes under the Nice Classification (NCL) system. Each class categorizes specific types of goods and services to help distinguish one trademark from another.

The importance of selecting the correct class lies in the way trademarks are evaluated for potential conflicts.

According to the USPTO:

“If your trademark is confusingly similar to another trademark and the goods and services are related, consumers are likely to mistakenly believe these goods or services come from the same source.”

In other words, while two trademarks can technically exist under different classes, conflicts arise when the products are related in a way that could confuse consumers. Filing in trademark class 20 ensures that your furniture, mirrors, or storage products are protected against competitors using a similar name for related goods. However, if another company in class 21 (housewares) or class 35 (retail furniture sales) has a confusingly similar name, that could still pose a problem.

A comprehensive trademark search helps identify these risks before filing.

What Is Trademark Class 20?

Trademark class 20 includes furniture, mirrors, and storage containers that are not made of metal. The Nice Classification defines class 20 as:

“Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; containers, not of metal, for storage or transport; unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, whalebone or mother-of-pearl; shells; meerschaum; yellow amber.”

This category covers furniture items, furnishings, non-metal storage solutions, and other goods made from materials such as wood, plastic, wicker, glass, leather, and more.

Common Goods in Trademark Class 20

If your business manufactures, sells, or distributes any of the following items, class 20 may be the appropriate classification for your trademark:

Furniture – Items made of wood, wicker, steel, cane, leather, plastic, glass, metal, and more, including bookshelves, couches, coffee tables, dining tables, dressers, chairs, desks, and more
Window Coverings – Indoor window blinds and shades
Bedding – Mattresses, bed bases, pillows
Pet Furniture – Dog beds and sofas, pet ramps, cat trees
Mirrors & Picture Frames – Wall, decorative, bathroom, and even personal compact
Non-Metallic Hardware – Bolts, screws, dowels, furniture casters, pipe fasteners
Storage Containers – Non-metal storage boxes for general use made of wood, plastic, etc., storage racks, non-metal and non-paper containers for transport
Dispensing Devices – Non-metal towel dispensers, queue ticket dispensers, toilet paper dispensers

Goods That Are Not in Trademark Class 20

Certain products may seem like they belong in class 20, but actually fall under different categories based on their function.

Here are some commonly confused items and their correct classifications:

Specialty Furniture – Lab furniture (Class 9), medical furniture (Class 10)
Outdoor Blinds – Metal (Class 6), non-metal and non-textile (Class 19), textile (Class 22)
Bedding and Sleeping Gear – Bed linen, eiderdowns, sleeping bags (Class 24)
Dispensing Devices for Specific Uses – Industrial fluid dispensers (Class 7), electronic ticket dispensers (Class 9), medical dosage dispensers (Class 10), adhesive tape dispensers (Class 16)
Mirrors for Specialized Use – Optical mirrors (Class 9), medical mirrors (Class 10), rearview mirrors (Class 12)
Other Wood or Plastic Goods – Wooden flooring (Class 19), baskets for household use (Class 21), plastic cups (Class 21), reed mats (Class 27)

Trademark Class 20 Filing Fees

The USPTO trademark filing fee is $350 per class, making it essential to choose the correct classification from the start.

If your business offers products that span multiple classes—such as furniture (Class 20) and home décor accessories (Class 21)—the costs can add up quickly. Additionally, trademarks must be renewed periodically, with renewal fees applying per class, increasing long-term expenses. Careful planning ensures you only pay for the protection you need, helping you manage costs while securing the strongest trademark rights for your brand.

Understanding Coordinated Classes for Trademark Class 20

Coordinated classes help identify trademarks with goods and services that might be related to yours. In the trademark system, certain international and U.S. classes are grouped together, or “coordinated,” because the products or services they cover are closely connected.

This means that if a trademark exists in a related class, it could still impact your ability to register your mark, even if it’s not in the exact same class as yours.

Here are the coordinated classes for trademark class 20:

Class 6 – Metal goods
Class 21 – Housewares and glass
Class 28 – Toys and sporting goods
Class 35 – Advertising and business services
Class 42 – Computer, scientific, and legal services
Class A – Certification marks
Class B – Certification marks
Class 200 – Collective membership marks

Why a Comprehensive Trademark Search Is Essential

Before applying for a trademark in class 20, conducting a comprehensive trademark search is critical.

Many businesses assume a direct hit USPTO search is enough, but this only detects exact matches—not similar marks that could lead to rejection.

A comprehensive trademark search should include:

Federal and State Trademarks – A federal trademark search examines pending and registered marks with the USPTO across all relevant classes, not just Class 20, to identify potential conflicts. A state trademark search looks at trademarks registered at the state level, which can create conflicts even if they aren’t federally registered. Since state-registered trademarks can still have legal standing within their respective states, overlooking them could lead to disputes.
Common Law Trademarks – A common law search identifies trademarks that aren’t officially registered but are still in use and legally protected. This includes business names, domain names, product names, and brand identities that may not appear in federal or state databases but could still pose a risk. Since trademark rights in the U.S. are based on use, a company with an unregistered mark in active use could challenge your application, making this search essential for uncovering potential conflicts beyond official registries.

Phonetic, Spelling, and Meaning Variations – A thorough search goes beyond exact matches to identify trademarks that sound alike, look similar, or convey the same meaning, even if spelled differently. This prevents conflicts with trademarks that could confuse consumers. For example, “Sofahaven” and “Sofa Haven” might seem distinct but are phonetically identical. Even foreign language equivalents, abbreviations, or intentional misspellings can lead to disputes. Without this level of analysis, a seemingly unique name may still infringe on an existing mark.

Related Goods and Services – The search also considers similarities not just in the exact goods or services but also in related goods or services. Goods or services may be related if they are commonly used or sold together, marketed to the same consumers, advertised in the same spaces, or produced by the same manufacturers. They don’t have to be in the same international class to be legally considered related.

For example, a furniture store in Class 35 selling products under a name similar to a furniture brand in Class 20 could cause confusion, even though they fall under different classes. Identifying these potential conflicts is key to securing a strong and defensible trademark.

At TradeMark Express, we always perform comprehensive trademark searches to minimize risk and rejection.

What Are Acceptable Trademark Specimens for Class 20?

To register a trademark in class 20, you must submit a specimen proving that your mark is actively used in commerce. Acceptable specimens include:

Product Labels and Tags – A tag attached to furniture showing the trademark
Product Packaging – A box containing non-metal furniture casters with the trademark displayed on the packaging
Photographs of the Product with the Trademark – A photo of a dog bed with the trademark imprinted on the product
Sales Displays – A point-of-sale display featuring a line of office desks with the brand name visible
Webpages Selling the Product – A screenshot of an online store listing for decorative mirrors, including the trademark, product image, price, and an “Add to Cart” button (must include URL and date of access)

Conclusion

Securing a trademark in class 20 protects your furniture, storage containers, and related goods from unauthorized use. A comprehensive trademark search is the key to a smooth registration process.

At TradeMark Express, we provide comprehensive trademark searches and application assistance to help businesses navigate the process with confidence. Contact us today to protect your brand!

Not sure if Trademark Class 20 is right for your brand?

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Shannon Moore