When building a brand, protecting it legally is just as important as promoting it. A trademark is the foundation of brand identity—it protects your business name, logo, slogan, and even distinctive designs from being copied. But before you file for trademark registration, one of the most critical steps is selecting the correct trademark class. Choosing the wrong class can lead to rejection, disputes, or even loss of protection. This article will help you understand what the Trademark Class List is, why it matters, and how to choose the right class for your business.
What is a Trademark Class?
A trademark class is a category that defines the type of goods or services your business offers. Trademarks are classified internationally under the Nice Classification (NCL), established by the Nice Agreement of 1957, and adopted by more than 150 countries, including India.
There are 45 trademark classes in total:
- Classes 1 to 34: Cover goods.
- Classes 35 to 45: Cover services.
Each class is specific to a certain category of business activity. For example:
- Class 3 includes cosmetics and cleaning products.
- Class 25 covers clothing, footwear, and headgear.
- Class 41 includes education and training services.
By registering your trademark under the correct class, you gain exclusive rights in that business segment.
Why is Choosing the Right Trademark Class Important?
Many businesses underestimate the importance of this step, but the consequences of picking the wrong class can be serious.
- Rejection of Application – If your goods or services don’t fall under the class you selected, the trademark office may reject your application.
- Weak Protection – A trademark registered in the wrong class may not protect you against infringement in your actual business category.
- Legal Disputes – Competitors can challenge your trademark if it is wrongly classified.
- Re-filing Costs – You may need to file again in the correct class, which increases cost and delays protection.
Simply put, your trademark is only as strong as the class it is filed under.
How Many Trademark Classes Exist in India?
India follows the global Nice Classification system. The trademark registry in India recognizes 45 classes:
- Goods Classes (1–34): Everything from chemicals, paints, and clothing to food, beverages, and electronics.
- Services Classes (35–45): Cover industries like business consulting, telecom, education, hospitality, healthcare, and more.
Trademark Class List (Simplified Overview)
Here’s a simplified view of some common classes that businesses frequently use:
- Class 3 – Cosmetics, perfumes, soaps, cleaning products
- Class 5 – Pharmaceuticals, medical supplies
- Class 9 – Software, electronics, IT products
- Class 25 – Clothing, footwear, fashion
- Class 29 – Processed food, dairy, edible oils
- Class 30 – Coffee, tea, spices, bakery products
- Class 35 – Business consulting, marketing, retail services
- Class 41 – Education, training, events
- Class 43 – Hotels, restaurants, catering
- Class 44 – Medical, healthcare, salon and beauty services
Each class contains a detailed list of items/services, so before filing, it’s important to review the complete trademark class list published by the Indian Trademark Registry.
How to Choose the Right Trademark Class for Your Brand
Selecting the right class may sound confusing at first, but you can simplify the process by following these steps:
1. Identify Your Core Goods or Services
Ask yourself: What exactly am I selling or offering? For example:
- If you run a salon, you should file under Class 44 (beauty and healthcare services).
- If you also sell cosmetics under your brand name, you may need to register in Class 3 as well.
2. Check for Related Classes
Sometimes your business spans multiple classes. For example:
- A fashion brand may need Class 25 (clothing), Class 18 (bags and leather goods), and Class 35 (retail services).
- A tech startup may require Class 9 (software) and Class 42 (IT services).
3. Use the Trademark Registry Search
The Indian Trademark Office provides an online database where you can search by keywords. This helps you see which class your product or service falls under.
4. Consult Experts
Since misclassification can cost both money and legal protection, many businesses consult trademark professionals or legal experts to ensure correct filing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing a Trademark Class
- Choosing only one class when multiple are needed – Many businesses register only their primary product, forgetting related categories.
- Picking a class too broad or irrelevant – Filing in the wrong class weakens your protection.
- Copying competitors without checking accuracy – Just because your competitor filed under a class doesn’t mean it applies to you.
- Overlooking future expansion – If you plan to expand into new products soon, you may want to cover those classes early.
Case Study: Why Correct Classification Matters
Imagine a company launching a new brand of herbal skincare products. If they file their trademark under Class 5 (pharmaceuticals) instead of Class 3 (cosmetics), their registration won’t protect them against another skincare company using a similar name. This could lead to disputes, brand dilution, or even a costly lawsuit.
On the other hand, by filing correctly under Class 3, the brand secures exclusive rights in the cosmetic industry and prevents competitors from exploiting their identity.
Updated Trends in Trademark Class Filing (2025)
- Tech & Digital Growth: More businesses are filing under Class 9 (software, AI, apps) and Class 42 (IT services) due to rapid digital adoption.
- Wellness & Lifestyle Boom: Classes 3, 5, 44 are seeing higher applications as health, wellness, and beauty industries expand.
- Food & Beverage Sector: With the rise of startups in FMCG, applications in Classes 29, 30, and 32 (foods and beverages) are trending.
- E-Commerce & Retail Services: Class 35 has become one of the most popular classes due to online business growth.
How Corpmate Helps in Choosing the Right Trademark Class?
At Corpmate, we simplify trademark registration for businesses of all sizes. Our experts guide you through:
- Identifying the correct class(es) based on your goods and services.
- Conducting trademark searches to avoid conflicts.
- Filing applications strategically to protect both current and future business plans.
- Handling objections, oppositions, and renewals.
This ensures that your brand receives the strongest protection possible under Indian and international trademark laws.
Conclusion
Understanding the Trademark Class List is crucial for effective brand protection. Filing under the wrong class can leave your business exposed to infringement risks, disputes, and wasted costs. By carefully identifying your goods and services, exploring related classes, and consulting experts, you can choose the right class and secure long-term legal protection for your brand.
In 2025, with increasing competition and global digital growth, trademarks have become more important than ever. Choosing wisely today means safeguarding your brand identity for the future.