Businesses need trademark registration to safeguard their brand identity, but it is a complex process. One of the main areas of trademark registration involves knowing the Trademark Class List, which classifies goods and services to ensure trademarks are registered in the right sector of commerce. It helps define the scope of trademark protection. In this detailed guide, we’ll go through the Trademark Class List, explaining the 45 classes and how they apply to various goods and services.
What Is the Trademark Class List?
The trademark class list refers to a system used to categorize and organize goods and services for trademark registration. This system is based on the Nice Classification (NCL), established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It divides all possible goods and services into 45 classes:
Classes 1-34 cover goods, such as machinery, electronics, clothing, food products, etc.
Classes 35-45 cover services, such as advertising, financial services, education, legal services, etc.
You have to say which class(es) your goods or services belong to when you apply for a trademark. This helps tell the difference between the different kinds of trademarks and makes sure that each one gets the right kind of protection in its own category.
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Goods Classes (1-34)
Goods Classes (1-34) cover a wide range of products, from chemicals and machinery to clothing and food. This ensures complete trademark protection across the industries.
Class 1 – Chemicals
Comprises industrial chemicals, scientific chemicals, agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, cleaning preparations, industrial adhesives, and industrial solvents.
Examples include industrial cleaning agents and pesticides.
Class 2 – Paints and Varnishes
Covers paints, coatings, varnishes, lacquers, and rust preventives.
Examples include acrylic paints and wood varnish.
Class 3 – Cosmetics and Cleaning Products
Includes cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries, cleaning preparations, and products for personal care.
Examples include shampoos, soaps, and perfumes.
Class 4 – Industrial Oils and Lubricants
In this class are industrial oils, lubricants, fuels, and waxes.
Example: Motor oil, machinery lubricant.
Class 5 – Pharmaceuticals
In this class are medicinal and veterinary products, medical preparations, and dietary supplements.
Examples: Medication, vaccine, health supplements.
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Class 6 – Metal Goods
In this class are ordinary metals and metallic wares, such as building materials, pipes, and locks.
Example: Aluminum sheet, metal safe.
Class 7 – Machinery
Covers machinery and machine tools used in various industries, such as agricultural and construction equipment.
Examples: Motors, pumps, and industrial machinery.
Class 8 – Hand Tools
Comprises hand-operated tools and implements for various industries and gardening tools.
Example: Hammers, screwdrivers, scissors.
Class 9 – Electrical and Scientific Apparatus
Covers electronic devices, computers, software, scientific instruments, and electrical equipment.
Examples: Smartphones, cameras, and computer software.
Class 10 – Medical Apparatus
Includes surgical and medical instruments, prosthetics, and other health-related equipment.
Examples: Surgical gloves, and stethoscopes.
Class 11 – Environmental Control
This class includes the equipment used for lighting, heating, steam generation, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
Examples: Light bulbs, and air conditioning units.
Class 12 – Vehicles
Vehicles, transportation equipment and parts are included in this class.
Examples: Cars, bicycles and boat engines.
Class 13 – Firearms and Explosives
This class consists of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and pyrotechnics.
Example: Rifles, fireworks.
Class 14 – Precious Metals and Jewellery
This class includes products made from precious metals, watches, and jewellery.
Examples: Gold bars, diamond rings, and watches.
Class 15 – Musical Instruments
Musical instruments, string, percussion, and wind instruments
Examples: Guitars, drums, pianos
Class 16 – Paper Goods
Paper products, printed matter, books, stationery, and office supplies
Examples: Books, notebooks, wrapping paper
Class 17 – Rubber Goods
Rubber and plastic materials; materials in the manufacture and construction of products
Examples: Plastic sheets, rubber tubing, tyres
Class 18 – Leather Goods
Leather goods, including bags, wallets, and clothing accessories.
Examples: Leather handbags, belts, shoes.
Class 19 – Non-Metallic Building Materials
It refers to the materials used in construction, such as concrete, glass, and bricks.
Examples: Cement, glass panels, tiles.
Class 20 – Furniture
It refers to furniture and other products made from wood, plastic, or similar materials.
Examples: Chairs, tables, and plastic containers.
Class 21 – Housewares and Kitchen Utensils
Household cleaning utensils, kitchen utensils, and glass wares.
Examples: Plates, vacuum cleaners, kitchen knives, etc.
Class 22: Cordage and Fibers
Comprises ropes, strings, nettles, tents, tarpaulins, etc.
Examples: Fishing nets, ropes, hammocks, etc.
Class 23: Yarns and Threads of Textile Materials
It includes yarns, threads and also other textile materials.
Examples: Cotton threads, wool yarns, etc.
Class 24: Fabrics and Goods Made of Textiles.
It comprises textile materials like bedding, towels, and textile goods.
Example: Curtains, bedsheets, towels.
Class 25 – Clothing, Footwear, and Headgear
Applies to clothing, footwear, and headgear.
Example: T-shirts, sneakers, hats.
Class 26 – Lace, Embroidery, and Fancy Goods
Applies to lace, embroidery, ribbons, and like ornamentations.
Example: Decorative ribbons, lace trimmings.
Class 27 – Carpets, Rugs, and Floor Coverings
Applies to carpets, mats, rugs, and floor coverings.
Example: Area rugs, doormats.
Class 28 – Toys, Games, and Sporting Equipment
Applies to toys, games, and sporting equipment.
Examples: Board games, sports balls, action figures.
Class 29 – Meat, Fish, Poultry, and Food Products
These include food products such as meat, dairy products, canned food, and snacks.
Example: Sausages, cheese, canned vegetables.
Class 30 – Coffee, Tea, Sugar, and Bakery Products
These include food products like coffee, tea, sugar, bread, and pastries.
Example: Coffee beans, biscuits, pasta.
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Class 31 – Agricultural, Horticultural, and Forestry Products
This includes live animals, plants, seeds, and agricultural products.
Example: Seeds, fresh fruits, flowers.
Class 32 – Light Beverages (Non-Alcoholic)
Includes soft drinks, juices, mineral water, and other beverages that are not alcoholic.
Examples: Soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water.
Class 33 – Alcoholic Beverages
Incorporates wine, beer, and spirits.
Example: Whiskey, wine, beer.
Class 34 – Tobacco Products and Smokers’ Articles
Comprises tobacco, smoking accessories, and items like cigarettes, cigars, and lighters.
Examples: Cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco.
Read about Intellectual Property Rights in detail. Also, read about the importance of Intellectual Property Rights.
Services Classes (35-45)
Services Classes (35-45) cover a wide range of services, from advertising and management to legal and security services. This ensures complete trademark protection across industries.
Class 35 – Advertising and Business Management
Comprises services dealing with advertising, business management, and marketing.
Example: Marketing services, business consulting, market research.
Class 36 – Insurance and Financial Services
Includes banking, investment, and insurance services.
Example: Financial consultancy, an insurance brokerage.
Class 37 – Construction and Repair Services
Encompasses construction, repair, and installation services for buildings and other infrastructure.
Examples: Plumbing services, building construction, elevator installation.
Class 38 – Telecommunications
Covers communication services, including phone, internet, and broadcasting.
Example: Internet service providers, phone networks.
Class 39 – Transportation and Logistics
Includes services related to transportation, delivery and logistics.
Examples: Freight transport, travel agencies and courier services.
Class 40 – Treatment of Materials
It covers services related to the processing or treatment of materials, including manufacturing processes.
Examples: Metalworking, recycling, and printing services.
Class 41 – Education and Entertainment Services
It includes educational services, sports, entertainment and cultural activities.
Examples: Training courses, movie production, music festivals.
Class 42 – Scientific and Technological Services
It covers IT services, research, design, and technological solutions.
Examples: Software development, scientific research, IT consulting.
Class 43 – Hotels and Restaurants
Services regarding food, beverages, and hospitality.
Examples: Restaurant services, catering, and hotels.
Class 44 – Medical, Beauty, and Agricultural Services
Medical, health, beauty, and veterinary services.
Examples: Hospitals, beauty salons, and landscaping services.
Class 45 – Legal, Social and Security Services
Services that are concerned with law, security, and personal protection.
Examples: Legal services, private investigations, security consultancy.
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Summing Up
Understanding trademark class lists is important for businesses looking for trademark registration. It is important that when a business chooses the correct class, it will register its trademark correctly in the market where it wants protection. Be it for registering a brand of a product or a service, an appropriate class must be found to ensure legal clarity and avoid conflicts over such branding.
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Trademark Class List: FAQs
Q1. What is the Trademark Class List?
The Trademark Class List divides goods and services into 45 classes, making it easier for businesses to register trademarks for the right products or services.
Q2. How many classes are found in the Trademark Class List?
There are 45 trademark classes, which have been divided into 34 classes of goods and 11 classes of services.
Q3. Why is it important to select the correct class?
Selecting the correct class ensures proper legal protection for your trademark in the relevant sector of commerce.
Q4. Can I file a trademark in more than one class?
Yes. If the trademark covers a line of goods or services, multiple classes can be filed.
Q5. How can I access the list of classes available for trademark registration?
National and international offices of trademarks can be approached for this purpose, including WIPO, USPTO, etc.
