Trademark Class 21: Household and Kitchen Utensils

Trademark Class 21 consists of household goods belonging to the kitchen. This definition covers kitchen utensils, cookware, cleaning tools for utensils, unworked or semi-worked glass, etc. However, many goods are excluded from the scope of this class, such as forks, hand-held kitchen tools, nail clippers, and metal and non-metal containers for storing and transporting goods.

The main heads covered under Trademark Class 21 are:

• Kitchen Utensils: This class comprehensively covers kitchen utensils such as plates, spoons, ice-cream scoops, spatulas, etc. Note that knives, forks and spoons are not covered under this class as they belong to Class 8 (Hand Tools and Implements). Baking utensils, serving utensils, graters, peelers, potato mashers, garlic presses, etc., are under the scope of this class.

• Kitchen Containers: Jars, boxes, bins, tins, bottles, jugs, etc., meant for kitchen use are also covered under this class. Other examples of kitchen containers include oil jars, spice jars, cookie boxes, salad containers, lunch boxes, tiffin, etc. Glass, plastic, and metal kitchen containers are all included in this class.

• Cookware and Tableware: Pots, pans, pressure cookers, and other cooking utensils that are exclusively non-electric and with no heating element are included in this class. Electric cookware appliances are under the purview of Trademark Class 11. Turners, tongs, cooking spoons, etc., are also a part of this class.

• Cleaning Products: This class also includes certain cleaning products, such as brushes, brooms, sponges, mops, kitchen wipes, scrubbers, buckets and pails, dustpans and dustbins, and cleaning and sanitation products meant for kitchen use.

• Toiletries: Certain toiletries and bath products, such as soap boxes, soap dispensers, bath sponges, loofahs, towel racks, etc., are also included in this class. Core toiletry products such as soaps, shampoos, and other cleaning preparations are covered under Class 3 (Cleaning and Beauty Products).

• Ceramic and Earthware: The trademark class 21 also cover porcelain, ceramic cutlery, earthenware kitchen articles, as well as vases, flower pots, and other decorative items made from porcelain, ceramic, or clay.

Information of Goods under Trademark Class 21

There is a wide variety of goods and services covered under Class 21. Below is a detailed list of products covered under the purview of trademark class 21:

Column 1	Column 2
Abrasive pads for kitchen purposes	Baking mats
Abrasive porcelain discs	Basins
Abrasive gloves for scrubbing vegetable	Baskets
Abrasive mitts	Beer mugs
Abrasive sponges for kitchen	Birdbaths
Aerosol dispensers	Boot jacks
Animal traps	Bakeware
Ant habitats	Bakeware [not toys]
Ant vivarium	Baking containers made of glass
Aluminium cookware	Baking cups of paper
Animal grooming gloves	Baking dishes
Aquarium hoods	Baskets for household purposes
Aromatic oil diffusers	Baskets for waste paper littering
Air fragrance apparatus	Baskets for waste paper littering for household purposes
All-purpose portable household containers	Baskets of common metal for household use
Aluminium bakeware	Baskets of common metal for domestic use
Aluminium moulds [kitchen utensils]	Brooms
Aluminum water bottles	Broom handles
Animal-activated animal feeders	Bread bins
Animal-activated livestock waterers	Brushes for cleaning
Animal bristles [brush ware]	Buttonhooks
Anti-reflecting glass	Beverage glassware
Anti-static cloths for household use	Bento boxes
Apothecary jars	Non-electric beaters
Apparatus for cleaning teeth and gums at home	Bathroom pails
Apparatus for wax-polishing, non-electric	Basting spoons
Appliances for removing make-up, electric	Bird feeding tables
Appliances for removing make-up, non-electric	Bird-repellent spikes (non-metallic)
Applicator sticks for applying makeup	Birdcages
Applicator sticks for applying make-up	Biscuit cutters
Applicators for applying eye make-up	Blacking brushes
Applicators for cosmetics	Bottles
Aquaria and vivarium	Bowls
Aquarium ornaments	Boxes
Aquariums	Earthenware boxes
Aromatic oil diffusers, other than reed diffusers	Bread tongs
Aromatic oil diffusers, other than reed diffusers, electric and non-electric	Buckets
Art objects of glass	Busts of porcelain
Articles for cleaning purposes	Butter pans
Articles for the care of clothing and footwear	Cake pans
Artificial nest eggs	Cake plates
Artificial sponges for household purposes	Cake stands
Artworks of glass	Cake stands of non-metallic materials
Asparagus tongs	Cake tins
Atomisers for household use	Cake trays
Attracting and killing insects (Electric devices for -)	Camping grills
Autoclaves, non-electric	Candle drips
Autoclaves, non-electric, for cooking	Candle extinguishers
Automatic litter boxes for pets	Candle warmers
Automatic trash cans	Candle jars
Automatic pet feeders	Car washing mitts
Automobile oil funnels	Carpet sweepers
Automobile wheel cleaning brushes	Cauldrons
Baby baths	Ceramics for domestic use
China ornaments	Cloth for washing kitchen floors
Clothes pins	Cheese boards
Cheese covers	Cheese-dish covers
Cheese domes	Cheese graters
Cheese graters for household purposes	Cheesecloth bags for use in cooking
Cherry pitters	Clothes horses
Clothes-pegs	Clothes pegs [clothes pins]
Clothes racks for drying	Clothing stretchers
Cloths for cleaning	Cloths for cleaning made from cellulose
Cloths for cleaning purposes	Cloths for dusting
Coffee percolators, non-electric	Coffee pots
Coffee pots [non-electric]	Coffee pots not of precious metal
Coffee scoops	Cooking pot sets
Cooking pins of metal	Corkscrews
Cosmetic utensils	Crumb trays
Cups	Cutting boards for kitchen use
Decorative plates	Decorative porcelain ware
Decorative stained glass	Deep fryers, non-electric
Defrosting trays for kitchen use	Demitasse sets comprised of cups and saucers
Dental cleaning articles	Dental floss
Dental floss dispensers	Dental floss (floss for dental purposes)
Dental sticks for personal use	Deodorising apparatus
Diaper disposal pails	Dishes
Drinking glasses	Drinking vessels
Dripping pans	Droppers (Household)
Dusting apparatus	Dinnerware
Dispensers for soap	Dispensers for kitchen (salt, spices, etc.)
Drinking flasks	Dust bins
Dust gloves	Dustpans
Dutch ovens	Egg poachers
Egg separators	Enamelled glass
Earthenware	Egg cups
Electric and non-electric toothbrushes	Empty spray bottles
Essential oil burners	Exfoliating brushes
Exfoliating mitts	Exfoliating pads
Exfoliating slippers	feeding troughs
figurines of porcelain, ceramic, earthenware, terra-cotta or glass	Fly swatters
Fly traps	Funnels
Furniture dusters	Frying pans
Fruit cups	Fruit presses
Food steamer baskets	Flasks
Facial buffing pads	Facial cleansing sponges
Fibreglass other than for insulation or textile use	File brushes
Filters for use in cat litter pans	Finger bowls
Fitted sponge bags	Fitted toilet bags
Flower pots	Flower syringes
Flower vases	Fragrant oil burners
Fruit muddlers	Glass bottles
Glass bowls	Glass bulbs [receptacles]
Glass candlesticks	Glass caps
Glass cartridges for medication, empty	Glass cleaning implements
Glass containers	Glass cups
Glass decanters	Glass dishes
Glass flasks	Glass floor vases
Glass flowerpots	Glass for vehicle windows [unfinished]
Glass holders for candles	Glass incorporating fine electrical conductors [not for building]
Glass jars	Glass ornaments
Glass plates	Glass pots
Glass powder	Glass rods
Glass scrapers for cleaning purposes	Glass sheets
Glass stoppers for bottles	Glass storage jars
Glass tableware	Glass, unworked or semi-worked, except building glass
Glass vases	Glass vials
Glass wool	Glasses, drinking vessels and barware
Glassware for household purposes	Glassware
Glossing cloths	Glove stretchers
Gloves for domestic use	Gloves for polishing
Gardening gloves	Glue-pots
Goldfish bowls	Golf brushes
Graters	Gratin dishes
Gravy boats	Griddles (non-electric)
Grill pans	Grills
Grinders (non-electric)	Hand soap holders
Hand towel dispensers	Household gloves
Hip flasks	Hair for brushes
Heat-insulated containers	Household gloves for cleaning purposes
Household or kitchen containers	Household or kitchen utensils
Household plastic gloves	Household scouring pads
Holders	Holders for toothbrushes
Insulating sleeves for glasses and cups	Itch scratchers
Ironing boards	Insulating jars
Insulated mugs	Insulated vacuum flasks
Insulated flasks	Ice cream scoops
Ice pails	Ice tongs
Jugs	Jars
Jewellery dishes	Juice squeezers
Jars for kitchen use	Jardinieres
Kettles, non-electric	Kitchen boards for chopping
Kitchen containers	Kitchen mitts
Kitchen mixers, non-electric	Kitchen moulds
Kitchen paper dispensers	Kitchen paper holders
Kitchen sieves	Kitchen sponges
Kitchen urns [not of precious metal]	Kitchen utensils
Kitchen utensils of silicon	Knife boards
Knife rests	Lamp glass
Liqueur sets	Litter boxes for pets
Lunch boxes	Lavatory brushes
Lawn brushes	Lawn sprinklers
Laundry bins for household purposes	Laundry drying racks
Lint rollers for floors	Lintless cleaning cloths
Lip brushes	Loofahs
Lunch pails	Mason jars
Meal trays	Meat tongs
Mane brushes	Mixing bowls
Mixing cups	Mixing spoons
Moulds	Money boxes
Mops	Mop buckets
Mortars for kitchen	Mugs
Make-up brushes	Menu card holders
Napkin dispensers	Napkin rings
Noodle machines (hand-operated)	Nutcrackers
Nozzles for watering hose	Nail brushes
Non-electric kitchen devices	Oven mitts
Oven gloves	Ovenware
Ornamental figurines (porcelain/ceramic/earthenware)	Oil cruets
Oral care kits	Ornamental glass
Pads for cleaning	Pails
Pan scrapers	Pans
Paper plates	Pestles for kitchen use
Pet drinking bowls	Pet cages
Pizza peels	Pizza stones
Planters	Plastic items for household use
Plates	Polishing cloths
Porcelain figurines	Porcelainware
Porous glass	Portable baby baths
Portable kitchen tools (refrigerators, beverage coolers, etc.)	Portable tea caddies
Pot cleaning brushes	Pot lids
Potato ricers	Potholders
Pots	Pots for plants
Refrigerating bottles	Rolling pins
Rings for birds	Racks for household usage
Rags	Reusable bottles
Rubber gloves	Rugs
Salt and pepper mills	Salad tongs
Saucepans	Sandwich makers (non-electric)
Saucers	Scoopes for kitchen purposes
Scrapers	Scrubbers
Scouring pads	Scrubs
Scrubbing sponges	Sculptures (earthenware/ceramic/glass)
Serviette holders	Serving trays
Shaving brushes	Skewers
Skillets	Spatulas
Steak weights	Stirrers
Straw dispensers	Tableware
Teacups	Teapots
Toilet brushes	Toilet plungers
Tongue cleaning brushes	Toothbrushes (electric/non-electric)
Toothpicks	Towel racks
Towel rings	Trash cans
Unprocessed glass	Urns
Utensils	Utensil jar
Utensils racks	Vases
Vegetable tongs	Vaporisers
Vessels	Vinyl mats
Wall decorations	Washbasins
Wash tubs	Washing bowls
Washing trays	Waste bins
Watering cans	Whisks
Window dusters	Wine jugs
Wine decanters	Wire cages
Wool for cleaning	Wringer mops

Goods NOT Covered Under Trademark Class 21

The definition of kitchen utensils and containers can vary widely. Certain items are excluded even within the category, depending on their functionality. This makes it essential to know exactly which goods are NOT covered under this class and, if not, which class they belong to.

Below is a description of certain goods not included in Trademark Class 21.

• Electric Cooking Utensils: Electric pressure cookers, toasters, ovens, microwaves, air fryers, etc., are examples of electric cooking appliances/utensils. This category is not included in Trademark Class 21. Bread-making machines, coffee machines, etc., are also excluded. Any appliance operated through electricity to cook things is included in Trademark Class 11 (Environmental Control Apparatus and Cooking Appliances).

• Table Cutlery: Knives, forks, spoons, and other table cutlery are excluded from this class. They are considered hand tools and implements, appropriately classified under Class 8 (Hand Tools). Forks, spoons, etc., made of precious metals are also allotted Class 8.

• Cleaning Preparations: Some cleaning preparations, such as cosmetic lotions, soaps, shampoos, body wash, etc., are not part of Trademark Class 21. Traditional bath and body cleaning preparations and their associated products, such as oils, deodorants, hair dyes, waxes, etc., are classified under Class 3 (Cosmetics and Toiletry).

• Manicure, Pedicure, and Shaving Apparatus: Razors, blades, electric and non-electric nail clippers, cuticle trimmers, shapers, and other manicure and pedicure goods are not part of Trademark Class 21. These goods are under Trademark Class 8 (Hand Tools and Implements).

• Storage and Transport Containers: Containers not for kitchen usage and which can be classified for more storage and transport use are excluded from the purview of Class 21. When made of metal, such containers are classified under Class 6 (Metal Hardware). Similarly, when made of textiles, they are placed in Class 22 (Ropes, Strings, and Storage Materials), and when made of non-metals, they are placed in Class 20 (Furniture, Mirrors, and Containers).

• Certain porcelain and earthenware items, Porcelain for dental prosthetics (Class 5), building glass (Class 19), glass wool for insulation (Class 19), etc., are some items that are categorised according to their function rather than their nature.

• Electric Tools for Kitchen Use: Kitchen tools for shredding, mincing, chopping, etc., are categorised under Class 7 (Machines). These are machines that make regular kitchen tasks most accessible to approach.

Read more: Exploring Trademark Class 22: Ropes, Sacks and Bags

Corresponding Classes of Trademark Class 21

Corresponding or related classes are the classes that have goods of a similar nature, a similar function, or a similar material to the concerned class, which in this case is Trademark Class 21. Corresponding classes are full of goods that can be misidentified to fit the concerned class but are placed in other classes due to functional differences. Corresponding classes are also the ones most selected, and the class is concerned with whether a product is registered under multiple classes.

The corresponding classes of Trademark Class 21 are:

Class 3 (Cosmetics and Cleaning Products):

Kitchen-related cleaning products, such as cleaning wipes, dustpans, dustbins, drain racks, etc., are classified under Trademark Class 21. However, other cleaning preparations for bath purposes, room fragrances, and other toiletries are classified under Trademark Class 3. Diving even more profoundly, medicated cleaning solutions for the body are included in Class 5 (Pharmaceuticals).

Class 8 (Hand Tools and Implements):

Spoons, forks, and other table cutlery are classified under hand tools and implements, part of Class 8. Other hand-operated kitchen tools, like pizza cutters, manual slicers, mandolins, etc., are also included in Class 8. Trademark Class 8 is mainly defined by function. Hand tools make it easier to perform essential tasks like slicing, chopping, etc.

Class 11 (Environmental Control Apparatus and Cooking Appliances):

Electric cooking appliances such as toasters, electric pressure cookers, air fryers, microwaves, ovens, etc., are classified under Class 11. Trademark Class 11 contains environmental control apparatus such as air conditioners, refrigerators, heating installations, etc. Other kitchen appliances not covered under Trademark Class 21 are also placed in Class 11.

Class 20 (Furniture and Storage items):

Non-metal storage containers, kitchen furniture, and other solutions used with kitchen cookware and appliances are categorised under Class 11.

Read More: Trademark Class 20: Furniture and Plastic Goods Explained

Benefits of Getting a Trademark

There are numerous benefits to getting your brand’s tagline, logo, symbols, colours, or other intellectual property trademarked. The first and foremost benefit is that it gives you the exclusive legal right to use that trademarked material. Without your legal permission, no one else can use the intellectual property. This prevents competitors from stealing your ideas or trying to mimic your service.

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) by the United Nations exists to uphold the integrity of trademarks and ensure that intellectual property worldwide is given the proper legal and commercial respect.

The main benefits of trademarking your product or service are:

• Brand Identity: Brand identity refers to the unique positioning of your product or service in the customer’s mind. Aesthetic and design choices, along with other branding decisions, determine the acceptability and rememberability of your product by the customer. Trademarking your brand’s intellectual property ensures that your brand identity is unique and that your product and its position in the market cannot be copied. Protecting your brand identity means survivability in the long term.

• Legal Protection: The most crucial benefit of acquiring a trademark registration for your product or brand is the exclusive legal right to use the trademarked intellectual property. This means that no competitor can use the trademarked intellectual property to replicate or mimic your product or service, preventing instances where competitors want to steal your success and your reputation. Trademark infringement lawsuits can result in jail time, fines, or both for the accused.

• Licensing Opportunities: No one can use your trademarked intellectual property without legal permission. However, with proper legal permissions from the trademark holder, the trademark can be used. This means that if you are a trademark holder, you can allow entities interested in using your trademark to use it in return for compensation. This is known as trademark licensing. Trademark licensing is an excellent way of increasing your revenue by opening a new revenue stream.

• Marketing Tool: Trademarks have historically been significant elements of marketing campaigns. From the shape of the iconic Coca-Cola bottle to the famous bitten Apple logo, trademarks are a core component of marketing efforts and, when harnessed correctly, are remembered through the ages. It is essential to protect such iconic elements lest their significance and market presence be destroyed by plagiarism coupled with stiff competition. Trademarks are a core unit of a product, be it through design, packaging, colours, etc. These attributes are crucial in making a creative marketing campaign.

The Final Words

When trademarking your product or service, you must consider 45 different classes of goods and services. Trademark class 21 entails household goods and kitchen utensils. Heads such as kitchen containers, cleaning products, and toiletries are covered under this class. To get expert assistance in conducting trademark search for class 21, visit Trademarksearch.

Frequently Asked Question