Trademark Classes

The class system

Trademarks are registered for specific goods or services grouped into 45 classes under the Nice Classification. Classes 1–34 cover goods; classes 35–45 cover services. You register your mark only in the classes relevant to your business.

Why classes matter

Protection is class-specific. The same word can be registered by different owners in unrelated classes (e.g., a clothing brand and a software brand) unless the marks are well-known. Choosing the right classes ensures your protection actually covers your products and services.

Single vs multi-class applications

You can file a single application covering multiple classes, but fees are charged per class. Founders often under-file (saving fees) and later find a competitor registered the mark in a class they overlooked.

Examples of common classes

Class 9 covers software and electronics; Class 25 covers clothing; Class 35 covers advertising and business services; Class 41 covers education and training; Class 42 covers IT and scientific services. Mapping your offerings to classes correctly is the foundation of solid protection.