Back to basics: trade mark classification

When registering a trade mark, it is not sufficient to just register the brand, you must indicate which goods or services it is to be registered for.

This is done by attaching a classification (or two) to your application.

A mark cannot be registered for all goods or services therefore you must add a class to ensure your goods or services that your business is covered and properly protected.

There is a class for everything you can think of, however sometimes it is not obvious the appropriate class. The Trademarkroom are trade mark experts with years of experience of the best classes of goods or services for your business and have the expert knowledge to tell you which classes your products fall in.

The classes are separated into those for goods and those for services.

You can apply for your trade in any number of classes dependent on the goods you sell or the services you provide.

The more classes you wish to register for, however, the higher the fees due to the UK Intellectual Property Office. The Trademarkroom can also talk you through the fees to ensure you are getting the best service for your money.

The classes are as follows:

The classification for goods (classes 1-34)

Class 1- Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics; manures; fire extinguishing compositions; tempering and soldering preparations; chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs; tanning substances; adhesives used in industry

Class 2- Paints, varnishes, lacquers; preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood; colorants; mordants; raw natural resins; metals in foil and powder form for use in painting, decorating, printing and art

Class 3 - Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use; cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations; non-medicated soaps; perfumery, essential oils, non-medicated cosmetics, non-medicated hair lotions; non-medicated dentifrices

Class 4- Industrial oils and greases; lubricants; dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions; fuels (including motor spirit) and illuminants; candles and wicks for lighting

Class 5- Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary use, food for babies; dietary supplements for humans and animals; plasters, materials for dressings; material for stopping teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides

Class 6- Common metals and their alloys, ores; metal materials for building and construction; transportable buildings of metal; non-electric cables and wires of common metal; small items of metal hardware; metal containers for storage or transport; safes

Class 7- Machines and machine tools; motors and engines (except for land vehicles); machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles); agricultural implements other than hand-operated; incubators for eggs; automatic vending machines

Class 8- Hand tools and implements (hand-operated); cutlery; side arms; razors

Class 9- Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images; magnetic data carriers, recording discs; compact discs, DVDs and other digital recording media; mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus; cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment, computers; computer software; fire-extinguishing apparatus

Class 10- Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments; artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopaedic articles; suture materials; therapeutic and assistive devices adapted for the disabled; massage apparatus; apparatus, devices and articles for nursing infants; sexual activity apparatus, devices and articles

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

Class 12- Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water

Class 13- Firearms; ammunition and projectiles; explosives; fireworks

Class 14- Precious metals and their alloys; jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones; horological and chronometric instruments

Class 15- Musical instruments

Class 16- Paper and cardboard; printed matter; bookbinding material; photographs; stationery and office requisites, except furniture; adhesives for stationery or household purposes; artists’ and drawing materials; paintbrushes; instructional and teaching materials; plastic sheets, films and bags for wrapping and packaging; printers’ type, printing blocks

Class 17- Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and substitutes for all these materials; plastics and resins in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping and insulating materials; flexible pipes, tubes and hoses, not of metal

Class 18- Leather and imitations of leather; animal skins and hides; luggage and carrying bags; umbrellas and parasols; walking sticks; whips, harness and saddlery; collars, leashes and clothing for animals

Class 19- Building materials (non-metallic); non-metallic rigid pipes for building; asphalt, pitch and bitumen; non-metallic transportable buildings; monuments, not of metal

Class 20- Furniture, mirrors, picture frames; containers, not of metal, for storage or transport; unworked or semi-worked bone, horn, whalebone or mother-of pearl; shells; meerschaum; yellow amber

Class 21- Household or kitchen utensils and containers; combs and sponges; brushes, except paintbrushes; brush-making materials; articles for cleaning purposes; unworked or semi-worked glass, except building glass; glassware, porcelain and earthenware

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 therefor

Class 23- Yarns and threads, for textile use

Class 24- Textiles and substitutes for textiles; household linen; curtains of textile or plastic

Class 25- Clothing, footwear, headgear

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

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

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

Class 29- Meat, fish, poultry and game; meat extracts; preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables; jellies, jams, compotes; eggs; milk and milk products; edible oils and fats

Class 30- Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee; rice; tapioca and sago; flour and preparations made from cereals; bread, pastries and confectionery; edible ices; sugar, honey, treacle; yeast, baking-powder; salt; mustard; vinegar, sauces(condiments); spices; ice

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 animals; malt

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

Class 33- Alcoholic beverages (except beers)

Class 34- Tobacco; smokers’ articles; matches

Classification of services (class 35 - 45)

Class 35- Advertising; business management; business administration; office functions

Class 36- Insurance; financial affairs; monetary affairs; real estate affairs

Class 37- Building construction; repair; installation services

Class 38- Telecommunications

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

Class 40- Treatment of materials

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

Class 42- Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software

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

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

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