What Is Nice Class 23?
Nice Class 23 is the trademark classification for yarns and threads for textile use. It is one of the smallest and most tightly defined classes in the Nice system, covering spun yarns of all fibers — cotton, wool, synthetic, and blended — along with sewing thread, knitting yarn, embroidery thread, and similar spun textile products. It represents the middle stage of the textile supply chain.
Class 23 sits between the raw fibers of Class 22 and the woven fabrics of Class 24. The textile chain runs from raw fiber (Class 22) to spun yarn and thread (Class 23) to woven and finished textiles (Class 24) to finished clothing (Class 25). Class 23 is specifically the spun stage — fiber that has been twisted into yarn or thread but not yet woven or knitted into fabric.
What Class 23 Covers
- Yarns of cotton, wool, silk, and other natural fibers
- Synthetic and blended yarns
- Sewing thread and machine thread
- Knitting and crochet yarn
- Embroidery thread and floss for textile use
- Darning and mending thread
- Elastic and specialty threads for textile use
Exclusions: raw, unspun fibers are Class 22; woven fabric and finished textiles are Class 24; finished clothing is Class 25; and metal threads for jewelry or other non-textile uses can fall elsewhere. The defining test is whether the product is spun yarn or thread intended for textile use — that is the heart of Class 23.
Boundary note: Embroidery thread is Class 23, but the finished embroidered trimming or lace it produces is Class 26. The thread is the input; the decorative trimming is the output. A craft brand spanning both needs both classes.
The Textile Chain Across Classes
Class 23 is a single link in a four-class progression that follows textile manufacturing. Raw fibers and cordage (Class 22) become spun yarns and threads (Class 23), which become woven and finished textiles (Class 24), which become finished clothing (Class 25). A yarn or thread specialist files only in Class 23, but an integrated textile producer may file across several of these classes. Our Class 22 guide covers the raw-fiber stage and our Class 24 guide the fabric stage.
Notable Areas in Class 23
Class 23 is anchored by specialist yarn and thread brands serving the sewing, knitting, embroidery, and craft markets, as well as industrial thread suppliers to garment manufacturers. The craft and hobby sector — hand-knitting yarn and embroidery floss — provides much of the consumer-facing branding in what is otherwise a focused, supply-chain class.
Common Filing Mistakes
- Filing raw fibers in Class 23: unspun fibers are Class 22.
- Filing fabric in Class 23: woven and finished textiles are Class 24.
- Filing finished trimmings in Class 23: lace and embroidered trimmings are Class 26.
- Single-class filing for an integrated maker: the textile chain spans Classes 22-25.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Class 23 and Class 24?
Class 23 covers spun yarns and threads — the spun stage of the textile chain. Class 24 covers woven and finished textile goods like fabric, bed linen, and curtains. Yarn becomes fabric, so the two classes represent consecutive stages of production. An integrated textile maker often files in both.
Is sewing thread in Class 23?
Yes. Sewing thread, machine thread, knitting yarn, embroidery thread, and similar spun textile products are all in Class 23. The class covers yarn and thread intended for textile use, regardless of fiber type — cotton, wool, synthetic, or blended.
Where does embroidery thread go versus embroidered trimmings?
Embroidery thread and floss for textile use are in Class 23 as the input material. Finished embroidered trimmings, lace, and decorative textile borders are in Class 26 as the output. A craft brand selling both thread and finished trimmings needs both classes.
Is Class 23 a goods or services class?
Class 23 is a goods class — it covers physical yarn and thread products. Services related to textiles, such as textile treatment and dyeing, fall in Class 40, and the finished clothing made from the yarn falls in Class 25. Class 23 is specifically the spun-yarn product stage.
Search Class 23 Before You File
Yarn and thread names overlap across the textile-chain classes, so clearance should span Classes 22-24. Use tmarkmetric to browse registered Class 23 trademarks, see which names are taken, and search the broader registry before you commit. File across the right classes for an integrated textile business.