What are classes of goods and services?

When you apply for a trade mark, you need to list the goods and/or services you'll use your trade mark for. It's important to get this right because this determines what your trade mark protects.

Understanding goods and services

Here's a quick video that explains what classes of goods and services are, and why it's so important to your trade mark application.

Introduction to goods and services

Rebecca, like you, is completing her trade mark application. Rebecca is a busy woman so let's get to it.

Currently, there are 45 trade mark classes to choose from. Classes 1 to 34 are for goods and 35 to 45 are for services. The heading of each class tells you the type of goods or services covered in that particular class.

When completing her trade mark application, Rebecca can choose to use the trade mark classification search also known as the picklist. This is a search engine that will allow you to enter keywords, which are then matched with possible claims that are listed in the correct classes.

Remember that a trade mark registration will give you exclusive rights to use your trade mark in connection with the goods or services you are claiming.

First, Rebecca needs to figure out if her application should be for goods, services or both. Her trade mark will be granted in relation to the goods or services she chooses. For Rebecca’s trade mark to be adequately protected she needs to understand the trade mark classes and how to select the right goods or services.

This could save her money.

A trade mark is granted in relation only to the goods or services you apply for: not EVERY good or service. Yes, it’s true, the more you choose, the more you pay! But if you don’t choose the right goods or services then you may not have adequate trade mark protection.

If you register your trade mark in a class that does not match your business you may end up without the protection you actually need. Even worse, after Rebecca has applied for her trade mark she can’t change it to expand the coverage of the goods or services she has chosen. ...so let’s get this right the first time, otherwise you may need to submit another application.

Why it's important to pick the right classes

You'll only have exclusive rights to use your trade mark for the goods and services you list in your application. We examine your application based on the goods and services listed.

Once you submit your application, you can't add new goods and services. To add new ones, you'll need to file a new application.

So, if you include the wrong goods and services, you may:

  • End up with a trade mark that doesn't adequately protect you
  • Have your application denied, and need to submit a new application.

How to pick the right classes


What are the classes?

Goods and services are divided into 45 different classes. Here's a brief overview of each class.

Class 1 - Chemicals for use in industry, science, photography, agriculture, horticulture and forestry

Examples: Chemical preparations used to control fires, fertilisers, plant nutrients.

See goods included in Class 1

 

Class 2 - Paints, varnishes, lacquers etc used as decorative or protective coatings 

Examples: Acrylic paints, colouring sticks, stains for flooring.

See goods included in Class 2

 

Class 3 - Cosmetics, personal hygiene, general cleaning or polishing preparations

Examples: Aromatic oil, foundation make-up, soap.

See goods included in Class 3

 

Class 4 - Primary industrial oils, greases and lubricants, fuels; and illuminating substances, candles and wicks

Examples: Birthday cake candles, engine oils, petrol.

See goods included in Class 4

 

Class 5 - Pharmaceutical, veterinary and sanitary preparations, dietary supplements, disinfectants, vermin destroyers, fungicides and herbicides

Examples: Medical dressings, vitamin tablets, weedkillers.

See goods included in Class 5

 

Class 6 - Unworked or semi-worked common metals and their alloys and ores

Examples: Aluminium wire, sheet metal for roofing, metal water tanks.

See goods included in Class 6

 

Class 7 - Power-drive machines and machine tools, motors and engines

Examples: 3D printers and pens, conveyor belts, paint sprayers.

See goods included in Class 7

 

Class 8 - Hand tools, cutlery, side arms (except firearms), razors

Examples: Tattooing apparatus, hairdressing scissors, pizza cutters (non-electric).

See goods included in Class 8

 

Class 9 - Apparatus and instruments for scientific or research purposes, information technology and audiovisual equipment, apparatus and devices for controlling use and distribution of electricity, optical apparatus and instruments, and safety equipment

Examples: Alarms, encoded gift vouchers, prescription eyeglasses.

See goods included in Class 9

 

Class 10 - Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments used to diagnosis or treat human or animal diseases, prostheses and artificial implants, apparatus that help to maintain or improve human health

Examples: Baby dummies, dental x-ray apparatus, menstrual cups.

See goods included in Class 10

 

Class 11 - Apparatus and installations for lighting, heating, cooling, steam generating, cooking, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes

Examples: Gas cookers, lamps, whirlpool baths.

See goods included in Class 11

 

Class 12 - Apparatus and machines used to transport people, animals or things by land, air or water

Examples: Airplanes, prams (baby carriers), car trailers.

See goods included in Class 12

 

Class 13 - Firearms, ammunition, projectiles, explosives and pyrotechnical product

Examples: Gunpowder, missiles, signalling flares.

See goods included in Class 13

 

Class 14 - Jewellery and imitation jewellery, precious stones, watches, clocks and stopwatches

Examples: Clocks, earrings, wedding rings.

See goods included in Class 14

 

Class 15 - Musical instruments, music stands and stands for musical instruments, conductors' batons

Examples: Bass guitars, music boxes, tonometers (tuning forks).

See goods included in Class 15

 

Class 16 - Paper, cardboard, printed matter such as books, pamphlets and brochures, and materials for printing and bookbinding, as well as writing materials and office requisites such as writing paper, pens and staplers

Examples: Advertising posters, stamp pads, tissue paper.

See goods included in Class 16

 

Class 17 - Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and substitutes, plastics and resins in extruded form for use in manufacture, packing, stopping and insulating materials, flexible pipes, tubes and hoses (non-metal)

Examples: Duct tapes, fireproof seals, sealing putty.

See goods included in Class 17

 

Class 18 - Luggage and carry bags, umbrellas and parasols, walking sticks, whips, harness and saddlery, collars, leaches and clothing for animals, leather and imitations of leather

Examples: Dog collars, luggage bags, riding saddles.

See goods included in Class 18

 

Class 19 - Non-metal materials for building and construction

Examples: Cement, glass windows, natural stone.

See goods included in Class  19

 

Class 20 - Furniture, mirrors, picture frames, containers for storage or transport, unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, or mother-of-pearl, shells, meerschaum, and yellow amber

Examples: Bookcases, corks for bottles, venetian indoor blinds.

See goods included in Class 20

 

Class 21 - Household or kitchen utensils and containers, cookware and tableware (except forks, knives and spoons), combs and sponges, brushes (except paint brushes) and brush-making materials, articles for cleaning purposes, unworked or semi-worked glass (except building glass), glassware, porcelain and earthenware

Examples: Baking dishes, model aeroplanes made of glass, plant pots.

See goods included in Class 21

 

Class 22 - Ropes and string, nets, tents and tarpaulins, awnings of textile or synthetic materials, sails, sacks for the transport and storage of materials in bulk, padding, cushioning and stuffing materials, except of paper, cardboard, rubber or plastics, raw fibrous textile materials and substitutes

Examples: Car towing ropes, fillings for quilts, nets for birds.

See goods included in Class 22

 

Class 23 - Yarns and threads for textile use

Examples: Cotton thread and yarn, knitting wools, spun silk.

See goods included in Class 23

 

Class 24 - Textiles and textile substitutes, household line, curtains of textile or plastic

Examples: Bath towels, muslin fabric, quilt covers.

See goods included in Class 24

 

Class 25 - Clothing, footwear and headwear

Examples: Beach hats, dresses, rugby boots.

See goods included in Class 25

 

Class 26 - Lace, braid and embroidery, and haberdashery ribbons and bows, buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles, artificial flowers, hair decorations, false hair.

Examples: Dress fastenings, hairpieces, safety pins.

See goods included in Class 26

 

Class 27 - Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors, wall hangings (non-textile)

Examples: Door mats, gymnastic mats, textile wallpaper.

See goods included in Class 27

 

Class 28 - Games, toys and playthings, video game apparatus, gymnastic and sporting articles, decorations for Christmas trees

Examples: Baby dolls, fishing bait (synthetic), netballs.

See goods included in Class 28

 

Class 29 - Meat, fish, poultry and game, meat extracts, preserved, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables, jellies, jams, compotes, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt and other milk products, edible oils and fats for food

Examples: Cheddar cheese, fruit salads, milk.

See goods included in Class 29

 

Class 30 - Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee, rice, pasta and noodles, tapioca and sago, flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry and confectionery, chocolate, ice cream, sorbets and other edible ices, sugar, honey, treacle, yeast, baking-powder, salt, seasonings, spices, preserved herbs, vinegar, sauces and other condiments, ice (frozen water)

Examples: Cake batter, fresh pies, natural honey.

See goods included in Class 30

 

Class 31 - Raw and unprocessed agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural and forestry products, raw and unprocessed grains and seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, natural plants and flowers, bulbs, seedlings and seeds for planting, live animals, foodstuffs and beverages for animal, malt

Examples: Cat food, fresh herbs, unprocessed grains.

See goods included in Class 31

 

Class 32 - Beers, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral and aerated waters, fruit beverages and fruit juices, syrups and other non-alcoholic preparations for making beverages

Examples: Alcoholic beers, lemonades, orange juice.

See goods included in Class 32

 

Class 33 - Alcoholic beverages (except beers), alcoholic preparations for making beverages

Examples: Alcoholic cocktails, fortified wines, vodka.

See goods included in Class 33

 

Class 34 - Tobacco and tobacco substitutes, cigarettes and cigars, electronic cigarettes and oral vaporisers for smokers, matches

Examples: Chewing tobacco, gas containers for cigarette lighters, tobacco cases.

See goods included in Class 34

Class 35 - Advertising, business management, organisation and administration, office functions

Examples: Business consultancy, copy writing, market survey analysis.

See services included in Class 35

 

Class 36 - Financial, monetary and banking services, insurance services, real estate affairs

Examples: Apartment rental agency, financing of home loans, private health insurance.

See services included in Class 36

 

Class 37 - Construction services, installation and repair services, mining extraction, oil and gas drilling

Examples: Building construction, hire of tools, renovation of kitchens.

See services included in Class 37

 

Class 38 - Telecommunication services

Examples: Computer data transmission services, music broadcasting, subscription television broadcasting.

See services included in Class 38

 

Class 39 - Transport, packaging and storage of goods, travel arrangement

Examples: Booking agency services for travel, delivery of furniture, motor car rental.

See services included in Class 39

 

Class 40 - Treatment of materials, recycling of waste and trash, air purification and treatment of water, printing services, food and drink preservation

Examples: Coffee roasting, digital printing, sawing of materials.

See services included in Class 40

 

Class 41 - Education, providing of training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities

Examples: Cooking classes, linguistic classes, party planning (entertainment).

See services included in Class 41

 

Class 42 - Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto, industrial analysis, industrial research and industrial design services, quality control and authentication services, design and development of computer hardware and software

Examples: Design consultancy, hosting of databases, research laboratories.

See services included in Class 42

 

Class 43 - Services for providing food and drink, temporary accommodation

Examples: Bar services, preparation of food or drink, room hire.

See services included in Class 43

 

Class 44 - Medical services, veterinary services, hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals, agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and forestry services

Examples: Beauty salons, general practice (GP) medical services, tree clearing.

See services included in Class 44

 

Class 45 - Legal services, security services for the physical protection of tangible property and individuals, personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals

Examples: Arranging of wedding services, hire of clothing, private investigation services.

See services included in Class 45