{"id":191360,"date":"2024-11-17T08:15:04","date_gmt":"2024-11-17T08:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=191360"},"modified":"2024-11-19T23:05:23","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T23:05:23","slug":"understanding-trade-mark-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/understanding-trade-mark-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Trade Mark Classes: Legal Guidelines for Protecting Your Brand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

IP protection for branding elements, such as your business name and logo, can be significantly strengthened by holding a registered trade mark. A key consideration when submitting a trade mark application to the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is what \u201cclasses\u201d of goods and services<\/a> to include on your application. The number and relevance of classes you select can significantly impact how broad your trade mark protection is and how easy it is to enforce your rights against a copycat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are Trade Mark Classes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cclass\u201d is a category of goods or services<\/a>, and according to the Nice Classification, these are divided into 45 internationally recognised, standardised classes. Under this categorisation, there are 34 classes of goods and 11 classes of services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For example, class 41 covers education and training services; class 35 covers retail, wholesale, and business consultancy services; class 6 covers most metal goods; and class 28 covers games and toys.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dividing the broad array of goods and services that any business can provide into preset categories helps standardise the registration process and ensure that your trademark registration clearly states what types of goods and services it covers. As this system is internationally recognised, it is also relatively straightforward to file trademark applications internationally, although different countries have their own customs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the Right Classes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While this standardised categorisation certainly has its advantages, it can sometimes be challenging to understand which classes are and are not relevant<\/a>. The UK IPO has an online tool<\/a> that can help break down each class’s definition by simply searching for your business’s product or service.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For example, searching \u201cpaper\u201d will return class 16, which covers printed materials, paper and cardboard, but also class 40, which covers treatment of materials services, such as the recycling of paper. Alternatively, the World Intellectual Property Office<\/a> (WIPO) describes each category and common inclusions, which may help you decide which classes are most relevant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although applying with a wide selection of classes offers your trade mark broader protection, there are some other considerations to be aware of. For example, after five years, your registration may be vulnerable to an attack because you are not providing all the goods and services you have claimed on your application. If one of these attacks is successful, it can lead to the removal of the relevant class(es) from your registration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each additional class you include on your application also increases the Government fees paid at the time of filing and the renewal fees paid every ten years by \u00a350 per class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Continue reading this article below the form\n <\/i>\n<\/a>\n

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