How to categorize trademarks

You must identify the items and/or services you plan to use a trade mark on using the categorization system when you apply to register it

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Overview
A trade mark classification system is used by Intellectual Property Offices across the world, which divides goods and services into 45 classifications based on similarities. The Nice classification is the name given to this.

A list of terminology is included in every class. These comprise every product and service that falls under that category:

Services are in classes 35 to 45, and products are in classes 1 through 34.
Every class has a broad heading outlining the topics addressed in that specific session. Not all products or services in that class are included in this general indication.

A trade mark classification system is used by Intellectual Property Offices across the world, which divides goods and services into 45 classifications based on similarities. The Nice classification is the name given to this.

A list of terminology is included in every class. These comprise every product and service that falls under that category:

Services are in classes 35 to 45, and products are in classes 1 through 34.
Every class has a broad heading outlining the topics addressed in that specific session. Not all products or services in that class are included in this general indication.

general description of the products and services

You can find and categorize the items and/or services you need to apply for in order to register your trade mark with the aid of our search UK trade mark classes service.

Selecting appropriate courses for your application
Your trade mark will only be protected for the goods and/or services you designate in your application, so it's critical that you select the relevant class and phrases.

After submitting your application, you are unable to add other products or services.

For example, class 25 (clothing, footwear and headgear) would be your choice if you planned to utilize your trade mark on your own clothing line.

You would select the term "Retail services in relation to clothing" under class 35 (Advertising; business management; business administration; office duties) if you planned to use the trademark in a store that sold other people's goods.

Make a plan beforehand.
What products do you currently sell or plan to sell in the future? It's crucial that you limit your listing to the products and services you plan to use the mark for both the present and the upcoming five years. Including products or services on which the mark is not used for five years could lead to unneeded, expensive legal action down the road.

It's not necessary to expand your offerings to include things that are precisely comparable to your own. You may still be able to pursue legal action against infringing usage (or other later filed trade marks) in respect of similar products and services even though the protection you receive is tied to the goods/services you file for, provided that the consumer would be confused by such use.

Since there will be less chance of the goods and services interfering with one another, the more particular your application is, the less probable it is that someone having an earlier mark will challenge it.

Remember that if a registered trademark isn't utilized for five years, it may be withdrawn. Revocation guidance is available.

As an illustration
You submit an application to register your class 25 trade mark for apparel. You choose to introduce handbags into your brand a year later.

You will need to file an additional application to register your trade mark in class 18, which includes hand bags, as the application you have filed only protects you for apparel (class 25).

If you had included both classes in the initial application, you could have saved the additional expense of creating a new one. There would also be two renewal costs that you would need to pay.

Look over your business plan and your projected costs if you are not sure what you will be providing. As an alternative, think about if anyone else in the market provides the same products and/or services as you, and contrast the terminology and classes you've chosen.

Selecting the incorrect class can result in a useless registration.
Make sure the class or classes you choose for your trade mark are appropriate.

If you were to use your trademark, for instance, on alcohol, you would have to choose the appropriate class for its intended purpose, such as:

Class 1 includes the usage of alcohol in compounds.
Alcoholic beverages are covered by class 33 (excluding beers)
Cost of additional classes
The price of a trade mark application includes one class for your mark. An extra £50 is charged for each extra class.

As an illustration
The price of a single online trade mark application for one class is £170.

The cost of the same application, which covers three classes, is £270.

£170 for the first class and application
£100 (£50 for each of the two additional classes)
The amount of terms you choose within a class is not what you pay for—you simply pay for the class.