Classes of goods and services- what are they?

When you apply for a trade mark, it is not possible for you to protect the word or phrase for all possible goods or services.

You need to be specific about what goods you will be selling or producing, or what service you will be providing.

This will allow your mark to be tailored to you as well as giving it a higher chance of success when it comes to registering.

To aid the attachment of goods or services to a trade mark, a list of classes has been produced.

Each successfully registered trade mark has a number of classes of goods or services attached.

It is important you are clear and precise with the classes you register your mark with as it may have an effect on the level of protection your trade mark will give you.

You can have more than one class attached to your mark, but an excessive amount may be seen as creating a monopoly over a word or phrase that you cannot use to the extent of all the classes it is registered for.

A full list of exactly what is contained within each class can be found on the UK Intellectual Property Office.

You need to choose the classes that best describe what your business is doing now as well as any potential expansion prospects in the future.

For further assistance, especially if you are unsure in what classes you want to register your trade mark, contact Jane at The Trademarkroom.

By Ellis Sweetenham