INTERNATIONAL CLASS 20

(Furniture, mirrors, picture frames)

 

GENERAL SCOPE OF CLASS 20: Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; goods (not included in other classes) of  wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all these materials, or of plastics.

 

A.  SEARCHING

 

1 A.  SEARCHING

 

1. 

RELATED INTERNATIONAL CLASSES

6

Hardware

19

Non-metallic building materials

21

Household items

28

Toys, sporting goods

35 & 42

Retail store and distributorship services for related goods

 

                       

2.  COORDINATED CLASSES

 

            020/CC:  006, 019, 021, AND SERVICES, A, B, 200

 

 

B.  IDENTIFICATION ISSUES

 

1.  CERTAIN GOODS ARE SPECIAL TO CLASS  20:

 

            - bedding (i.e., mattresses, box springs, and pillows)

            - clear plastic holders for badges

            - clothes hangers

            - figurines and statues made of bone, ivory, plaster, plastic, wax, or wood

            - fitted fabric furniture covers

            - funeral caskets, urns and coffins

            - furniture including metal furniture

            - hospital beds (most special-purpose medical furniture is normally in class 10)

            - jewelry boxes not of metal or precious metal

            - movable office partitions (wall panels are in class 19)

            - non-metal closures for containers

            - non-metal key fobs, rings, tags and holders

            - plastic banners and pennants

            - sleeping bags and air mattresses for camping

            - snow globes

            - window blinds and shades (curtains are in class 24)

 

 

2.  CERTAIN GOODS ARE EXCLUDED FROM CLASS 20

 

            - air pillows for medical use (class 10)

            - bed linen (class 24)

            - curtains (class 24)

            - figurines and statues of china, crystal, earthenware, glass, porcelain (class 21)

            - figurines and statues of non-precious metal (class 6)

            - figurines and statues of precious metal (class 14)

            - figurines and statues of stone, concrete or marble (classes 19)

            - special-purpose medical furniture (i.e., dental examination chairs, hospital gurneys, operating tables and surgical mirrors)

            - unfitted fabric furniture covers (class 24) (class 10)

            - wall panels (class 19)

 

 

 

3.  CONSTRUCTING IDENTIFICATIONS

 

Material Composition:

Goods made of metal, paper, stone or ceramics are not normally classified in class 20, therefore, material composition is essential to determine whether goods are properly classified in this class. 

 

Goods of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum, and their substitutes, or of plastic, generally are in class 20.

 

Containers similar to those in 21 that are for industrial of commercial use are in 20.  The Class 20 Heading doesn't really say that, but these industrial or commercial containers end up their by default because they are "goods not included in other classes... of plastics". 

Acceptable Wording:

            furniture

 

Unacceptable Wording:

            containers (must specify type, material and use)

            novelty items (describe nature of item)

            plastic hardware (must specify individual items)

 

Registered Trademarks:

ZIPLOC for plastic bags in class 20 (Reg. No. 886112)

 

 

C. REFUSALS

 

Examiners should be alert for marks which identify particular styles or periods of furniture such as “art deco,” “country,” “Chippendale,” etc.

 

D. SPECIMEN ISSUES

 

Catalog specimens showing use of the mark next to a photograph or line drawing of a furniture item are common.  As long as the catalog complies with the Lands End three part test, these specimens are acceptable.  See Exam Guide 1-94 section C for further information.