Class 25 is one of the most crowded classes
Casual searches miss conflicts because the class is so saturated. A name that returns nothing in a TESS search can still collide with three live registrations.
INDUSTRY GUIDE
Fashion and Apparel Trademark Search for Founders
Fashion is one of the most aggressively enforced trademark categories at the USPTO. Class 25 is dense with live registrations, and apparel brands routinely pursue both word marks and design marks. Imperium IP screens apparel brand names against the live USPTO Class 25 register in seconds, with the transparent 0 to 100 Similarity Index founders use before lookbooks, samples, or wholesale outreach.
Targets USPTO Class 025. Decision-support only. Attorney review required before filing.
Pitfalls Specific to Clothing & Apparel
Word mark plus design mark stacking
Established apparel brands file both the plain text mark and a stylized logo. A new brand that clears the text but visually mirrors the design mark is still exposed.
Streetwear and resale conflicts
Streetwear collaborations and resale brands often adopt names that allude to or play off existing marks. The owner can challenge even creative riffs.
International conflicts come up fast
Apparel brands selling on Shopify reach international customers immediately. A US filing does not cover the EU or Asia, and a name clear in the US may face conflicts elsewhere when you expand.
Example Marks in This Industry
- PatagoniaGeographic root but very long use, strong Class 25 protection
- SupremeHeavily enforced; aggressive owner with extensive litigation history
- CoolShirtsDescriptive and laudatory, likely refused
- TelfarSurname mark; protectable with use
Frequently Asked Questions
What class does apparel file under?
Class 25 covers clothing, footwear, and headwear. Branded accessories may also need Class 14 (jewelry), 18 (leather goods), or 28 (sporting goods) depending on the item.
Do I need a separate filing for my logo?
Logo protection is filed as a design mark in addition to the standard-character word mark. Many fashion brands file both. Imperium IP scores the word mark; the design mark requires a separate filing.
My name is similar to a streetwear brand. Should I rebrand?
A registered trademark attorney should evaluate likelihood of confusion. Imperium IP can quickly surface whether the streetwear brand is a live registration in your class and how aggressive the owner is historically.
How does Imperium IP handle surname brands?
Surname marks are not registrable unless they have acquired secondary meaning. Imperium IP flags surname risk in the strength assessment.