Trademark Class 27: Floor Coverings

The class is dominated by major flooring manufacturers: Shaw Industries (a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary), Mohawk Industries, and Interface, a commercial flooring leader known for carpet tiles. These companies hold extensive trademark portfolios in Class 27, covering product lines, collections, and proprietary technologies related to floor coverings. The class also encompasses door mats, bath mats, and decorative area rugs, bringing in both industrial manufacturers and home decor brands.

Several classification pitfalls arise frequently. Gymnastic and exercise mats belong in Class 28 as sporting articles, not in Class 27. Textile tapestries used as wall decorations are classified in Class 24, while only non-textile wall hangings belong in Class 27. Floor tiles made of ceramic, stone, or similar building materials fall under Class 19 as construction materials — Class 27 covers materials laid over existing floors, not materials that become part of the floor structure itself. This distinction between "covering" an existing floor and "constructing" a floor is the key classification test.

Flooring brands typically file across Classes 27, 19, and 37 to cover floor covering products, building materials, and installation services respectively. The overlap with Class 24 for textile-based products is significant, as many carpet and rug products are technically textiles. Applicants should also consider Class 20 for furniture if their brand extends to furnishings, and Class 35 for retail flooring services.