Registering your trademark is the stepping stone to market your business, and it is essential to understand the different classes under which a trademark is registered. There are 45 classes of a trademark which categorize different types of products or services.
While filing for your respective trademark, it is essential to identify the correct class type in which your products or services fall. Choosing a wrong class can end up in the rejection of your application.
The trademark classification helps the applicant to be specific about the kind of business and protect it. The World Intellectual Property Organization {WIPO} follows the NICE Classification established in 1957 to classify goods and services in 45 different classes according to the International marketing standards.
This classification is practiced throughout the world for filing trademarks. The Trademark Act, 1999 takes care of the entire trademark related queries and procedures in India. It also follows the nice classification for registering trademarks in different classes. Below is a descriptive list of these classes.
Classes 1 to 34 – Products.
Classes 35 to 45 – Services.
Class 1 (Chemicals)
Class 2 (Paints)
Class 3 (Cosmetics and Cleaning Preparations)
Class 4 (Lubricants and Fuels)
Class 5 (Pharmaceuticals)
Class 6 (Metal Goods)
Class 7 (Machinery)
Class 8 (Hand Tools)
Class 9 (Electrical and Scientific Apparatus)
Class 10 (Medical Apparatus)
Class 11 (Environmental Control Apparatus)
Class 12 (Vehicles)
Class 13 (Firearms)
Class 14 (Jewellery)
Class 15 (Musical Instruments)
Class 16 (Paper Goods and Printed Matter)
Class 17 (Rubber Goods)
Class 18 (Leather Goods)
Class 19 (Non-metallic Building Materials)
Class 20 (Furniture and Articles Not Otherwise Classified)
Class 21 (Housewares and Glass)
Class 22 (Cordage and Fibers)
Class 23 (Yarns and Threads)
Class 24 (Fabrics)
Class 25 (Clothing)
Class 26 (Fancy Goods)
Class 27 (Floor Coverings)
Class 28 (Toys and Sporting Goods)
Class 29 (Meats and Processed Foods)
Class 30 (Staple Foods)
Class 31 (Natural Agricultural Products)
Class 32 (Light Beverages)
Class 33 (Wines and Spirits)
Class 34 (Smokers' Articles)
Class 35 (Advertising and Business)
Class 36 (Insurance and Financial)
Class 37 (Building, Construction and Repair)
Class 38 (Telecommunication)
Class 39 (Transportation and Storage)
Class 40 (Treatment of Materials)
Class 41 (Education and Entertainment)
Class 42 (Computer, Scientific and Legal)
Class 43 (Hotels and Restaurants)
Class 44 (Medical, Beauty, and Agricultural)
Class 45 [Legal Services]
There are a few things which one should be aware of while applying for a trademark. The classes itself covers a variety of products and services, therefore; one has to be particular about the category he/she is choosing.
In case you have filled the trademark application in the wrong class it will get rejected from the concerned authority- IP India. You would require filing a fresh application and complete the whole process again. This can be troublesome for all those who are unaware of these pitfalls.
Trademark is the protection of your business for a long run and will safeguard you in case of any infringement. It also enhances your brand name and builds trust with the customers. However, a little awareness during the filing process can save you from many troubles.