Trademark Class 2: Paints & Coatings | Complete Filing Guide
Everything you need to file a trademark in Class 2. Covers paints, varnishes, lacquers, colorants, and protective coatings.
Class 2 covers paints, varnishes, lacquers, and protective coatings. Paint manufacturers, coating suppliers, and colorant producers file here.
What Class 2 Covers
Class 2 includes paints, varnishes, lacquers, preservatives against rust and deterioration of wood, colorants, and raw natural resins.
The class covers products for coating and coloring surfaces:
- Paints and coatings - Interior and exterior paints, primers, sealers
- Varnishes and lacquers - Clear and tinted finishes
- Anti-rust preparations - Rust preventatives and metal protectants
- Colorants - Dyes, pigments, and inks (not for printing presses)
- Wood preservatives - Stains and sealers for wood
Included in Class 2
Paints and Coatings:
- Interior paints
- Exterior paints
- Spray paints
- Primers
- Sealers
- Undercoatings
Varnishes and Lacquers:
- Wood varnishes
- Floor varnishes
- Lacquers
- Shellac
Colorants:
- Dyes
- Pigments
- Printing inks
- Ink for leather
- Food dyes (non-edible)
Protective:
- Anti-rust preparations
- Wood preservatives
- Anti-corrosive preparations
- Protective coatings for metals
NOT Included in Class 2
These similar items belong in other classes:
- Cosmetic dyes and hair dyes - Class 3 (Cosmetics & Personal Care)
- Toner cartridges for printers - Class 9 (Electronics)
- Food colorings (edible) - Class 30 (Foods)
- Tattoo inks - Class 3 (Cosmetics & Personal Care)
- Whitewash - Class 19 (Building Materials)
Common Goods Descriptions
Using pre-approved descriptions from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual avoids the $200 custom description surcharge.
Popular pre-approved descriptions for Class 2:
- Paints
- Varnishes
- Lacquers
- Preservatives against rust
- Colorants
- Printing ink
- Raw natural resins
- Primers
- Coatings
Well-Known Marks in Class 2
These recognizable brands are registered in Class 2:
- Sherwin-Williams - Paints and coatings
- Benjamin Moore - Interior and exterior paints
- Rust-Oleum - Protective coatings and primers
- PPG - Industrial and automotive paints
- Behr - Consumer paints and stains
Filing Tips for Class 2
Specify Paint Type and Application
The USPTO accepts broad terms like "paints" but being specific strengthens your application:
- Good: "Exterior house paints"
- Good: "Automotive primers and undercoatings"
- Good: "Industrial coatings for metal surfaces"
Consider Your Full Product Line
Paint companies often need multiple classes:
| What You Offer | Class |
|---|---|
| Paints and coatings | Class 2 |
| Paintbrushes and rollers | Class 16 |
| Paint sprayers | Class 7 |
| Painting services | Class 37 |
Specimens for Paint Products
For Class 2 trademarks, acceptable specimens include:
- Product labels on paint cans
- Packaging showing the mark
- Website pages where paint is sold
- Color charts and swatches with the mark
Related Classes
If you are filing in Class 2, you may also need:
- Class 1: Chemicals - Industrial chemicals and adhesives
- Class 17: Rubber & Plastics - Rubber, plastics, and insulating materials
- Class 19: Building Materials - Non-metallic building materials
- Class 37: Construction & Repair - Painting services
Filing Fees
Current USPTO fees for Class 2 trademark applications (2025):
| Filing Type | Fee per Class |
|---|---|
| Electronic filing (ID Manual description) | $350 |
| Electronic filing (custom description) | $550 |
| Paper filing | $1,000 |
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