Trademark Registrations

Trademark Classifications by Product and Service Type: Complete Breakdown

Introduction to Trademark Classifications:

Trademark classifications are a standardize system used to categorize goods and services for the purpose of registering trademarks. When a business or individual applies for trademark protection, they must specify the class or classes under which their goods or services fall. This classification helps regulatory authorities, businesses, and legal professionals determine the scope of protection and avoid conflicts with existing trademarks.

In India, trademark classification follows international norms laid out by the NICE Classification system and is officially recognized by the IP India classification framework under the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks. The classification divides goods and services into 45 distinct classes – Class 1 to 34 cover goods (products), while Classes 35 to 45 relate to services.

Choosing the correct trademark class is crucial because trademark protection is granted only for the classes you apply under. If your product or service is not accurately classified, it may lead to refusal of registration, reduced legal protection, or even future litigation.

This article offers a complete breakdown of trademark classifications in India based on product and service types to help you make informed decisions when registering a trademark.

Overview of the NICE Classification System:

The NICE Classification, also known as the NCL (Nice Classification List), is an international trademark classification system used to categorize goods and services for the registration of trademarks. It was established by the Nice Agreement (1957) and is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

While the WIPO NICE classification system is followed globally, the IP India classification adapts this framework to align with Indian regulatory and legal standards, helping applicants choose the appropriate class for trademark registration in India.

Trademark Classes India for Products (Goods):

The following is the trademark class list for goods:

Class	Description
Class 1	Industrial chemicals used in manufacturing, science, agriculture (excluding pesticides), adhesives, and unprocessed plastics.
Class 2	Paints, varnishes, lacquers, dyes, and preservatives against rust and wood deterioration.
Class 3	Soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, hair lotions, shampoos, detergents, and cleaning substances.
Class 4	Lubricants, industrial oils, greases, fuels, and candles.
Class 5	Medicines, dietary supplements, veterinary products, sanitary products, and disinfectants.
Class 6	Common metals and their alloys, metal building materials, transportable metal constructions, and metal hardware.
Class 7	Machines and machine tools, motors (except for land vehicles), agricultural and construction equipment.
Class 8	Hand-operated tools, cutlery, razors, scissors, and knives.
Class 9	Computers, mobile phones, software, measuring instruments, eyewear, batteries, and audio-visual equipment.
Class 10	Surgical, medical, dental, and veterinary instruments and apparatus.
Class 11	Apparatus for lighting, heating, cooking, refrigerating, water supply, and sanitary installations.
Class 12	Vehicles and transport equipment by land, air, or water, including parts and accessories.
Class 13	Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks.
Class 14	Precious metals, jewelry, clocks, watches.
Class 15	All musical instruments and accessories.
Class 16	Books, magazines, paper products, stationery, office supplies.
Class 17	Rubber, plastic, insulation materials, packing, and stopping materials.
Class 18	Leather, handbags, wallets, luggage, umbrellas, animal skins.
Class 19	Materials for construction not made of metal (e.g., wood, stone, cement, glass).
Class 20	Furniture, mirrors, picture frames, non-metallic hardware.
Class 21	Cookware, utensils, kitchen tools, cleaning tools (excluding electrical devices).
Class 22	Ropes, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sacks, and raw textile fibers.
Class 23	Yarns and threads for textile use.
Class 24	Bed covers, table covers, towels, fabric materials.
Class 25	Clothing, footwear, and headwear.
Class 26	Lace, ribbons, buttons, zippers, artificial flowers.
Class 27	Carpets, rugs, mats, linoleum, and other floor coverings.
Class 28	Games, toys, sporting equipment, gymnastic articles.
Class 29	Meat, fish, poultry, dairy, preserved and processed foods.
Class 30	Cereals, flour, bread, pastry, tea, coffee, spices, and confectionery.
Class 31	Fruits, vegetables, grains, fresh produce, seeds.
Class 32	Mineral waters, fruit juices, soft drinks, energy drinks.
Class 33	Alcoholic drinks excluding beer (e.g., wine, whiskey, rum).
Class 34	Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, smokers’ articles, matches.

Know More About: Company Registration Services

Trademark Classes India for Services:

The following is the trademark class list for services:

Class	Description
Class 35	Services related to advertising, business management, consulting, marketing, retail and wholesale services, import-export, and office functions.
Class 36	Banking, insurance, financial consultancy, real estate affairs, investment services, and online payment platforms.
Class 37	Building construction, repair, installation services for buildings, pipelines, machines, and household items.
Class 38	Telecom services, broadcasting, internet services, mobile network operations, and electronic messaging.
Class 39	Transport services, logistics, packaging, warehousing, travel arrangement, and courier services.
Class 40	Services involving material processing like recycling, custom manufacturing, printing, metal treatment, and tailoring.
Class 41	Educational institutions, coaching centers, online learning, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities, event management.
Class 42	Scientific and technological services, IT and software development, web design, engineering, testing, research, and laboratory services.
Class 43	Hotels, restaurants, cafés, catering services, temporary accommodation, and booking platforms.
Class 44	Healthcare, veterinary services, beauty and cosmetic treatments, agriculture, horticulture, and landscape design.
Class 45	Legal services, security services, personal and social services including dating, funeral services, and detective agencies.

Know More About: Trademark Classification in India

How to Identify the Right Class for Your Business:

Choosing the correct trademark class is one of the most important steps in registering a trademark in India. The right trademark classification ensures your brand receives legal protection for the exact goods or services you offer. An incorrect or incomplete class selection can lead to rejection of your application or leave your trademark unprotected in your actual business domain.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify the right class for your business:

Understand What You Are Offering: Start by identifying the product or service your business offers or plans to offer in the near future. Are you manufacturing goods, offering services, or doing both?

Refer to the NICE Classification List: Go through the Nice Classification system, which lists all 45 classes (1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services).

Use the Trademark Class Search Tool (TMclass): Use the TMclass or India’s official IP India portal to enter your product/service description and get class suggestions.

Refer to the IP India Classification Tool: To simplify the process, the IP India classification tool can be used to search goods/services and identify the correct class based on your business offerings.

Determine If Multiple Classes Apply: Many businesses fall under more than one class.

Check Competitor Trademarks: Research similar businesses and check under which classes they have filed trademarks. This can offer valuable insights and avoid misclassification.

Consider Future Expansion: If you plan to expand your offerings, consider filing under multiple relevant classes upfront or reapplying later for additional ones.

Consult a Trademark Attorney (Optional but Advised): For complex businesses or overlapping categories, legal advice ensures that you choose all applicable classes, avoid opposition, and secure full protection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Trademark Class Selection:

Selecting the wrong trademark class during registration is one of the most common and costly errors made by businesses, especially startups and small enterprises. Miss classification can lead to trademark rejection, weak protection, or future legal disputes. Here are the most frequent mistakes to watch out for:

Choosing the Wrong Class Altogether: Many applicants mistakenly select a class that does not align with their actual product or service.

Ignoring Multi-Class Needs: Some businesses span across multiple areas but only file in one class, limiting their trademark protection.

Over-Inclusion or Irrelevant Class Filing: Filing too many unrelated classes may raise suspicion or cause your application to be challenged or opposed. It can also increase cost unnecessarily.

Not Considering Future Business Plans: Some businesses don’t anticipate growth and only file in current operational classes. Later expansion goes unprotected.

Copying Competitor's Class Without Research: Relying blindly on a competitor’s trademark class may mislead you, especially if their business model or offerings differ slightly.

Failing to Update Class During Expansion: If you pivot or expand into new categories, your existing trademark may not protect the new activities unless you register under additional classes.

Filing Without Professional Help (When Needed): DIY filing can work for simple cases but becomes risky when classification is complex or your business spans multiple domains.

Know More About: Trademark Registration in India

How to File a Trademark in the Correct Class:

How to File a Trademark in the Correct Class

Filing your trademark in the right class is crucial to ensuring that your brand is legally protected in the market segment it operates in. The process in India is governed by the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you file your trademark class correctly:

Define Your Goods or Services: Before you begin the application, clearly list the products or services your business offers.

Search for the Appropriate Trademark Class: Use the following tools for assistance: IP India Public Search Tool (https://ipindia.gov.in) / TMclass Tool EUIPO (https://euipo.europa.eu/ec2).

Check for Similar Trademarks in the Same Class: Search the trademark database to ensure your brand name/logo isn’t already registered in the same class. This reduces the chances of rejections or oppositions.

Choose Single or Multi-Class Filing: Decide whether your business needs to register under Single Class Application (if you deal in one category only) or Multi-Class Application (if your products/services fall under multiple classes).

Prepare and File Form TM-A: Form TM-A is the application form for registering a trademark in India. You can file it online via the IP India Trademark e-filing portal or offline at one of the Trademark Registry Offices.

Pay the Filing Fee: Trademark application fees in India are Rs 4500 (e-filing) and Rs 5000 (physical filing) per class for individuals/startups/small enterprises and Rs 9000 (e-filing) and Rs 10000 (physical filing) per class for others (companies, LLPs, etc.)

Acknowledge Receipt and Track Status: Once the application is submitted, you will receive an acknowledgment number. Tracking is available on the IP India website under “Trademark Application Status.”

Conclusion: Getting Your Trademark Classification Right:

Trademark classification is far more than a technical requirement; it is the foundation of your brand’s legal protection. Filing under the correct class ensures that your trademark is protected for the specific goods or services your business offers. An incorrect or incomplete classification can leave your brand vulnerable to infringement, legal challenges, or even rejection of your application.

Whether you are a startup, an established business, or expanding into new markets, taking the time to research, select, and file under the right class(es) is critical. Use available tools like the NICE Classification, TMclass search, and professional legal guidance to make informed decisions.

Are You Prepared to Safeguard Your Innovation? Selecting the appropriate IP protection is essential, regardless of whether you're defending a novel product design or a groundbreaking discovery. You can get help from our professionals with patent and design registration in India. For a free consultation and to learn how to properly protect your intellectual property, contact us now.