Trademark classes in the EU

When you apply for a Community trade mark (CTM) the trademark application must contain a representation of the trade mark you want to register and a list of the goods and/or services to be covered by the mark.

There are certain rules that govern the list of goods and services to allow third parties to understand what it is you are protecting:

The goods and services must be described accurately and precisely

They should be classified under the Nice Classification system. 

OHIM has adopted the Nice Classification for classifying goods and services. The Nice Classification divides the goods and services into 45 categories (or classes). 1-34 cover goods (i.e. clothing, perfume) and 35-45 services (i.e. building services, estate agency services)

An EU trademark application costs 900 Euro for up to 3 classes and 150 Euro for each class above 3. You can choose as many classes as you wish.

Where do I find the classes? 

You will be able to search and browse through a list of goods and services known as the .Harmonised database. This database contains terms that have already been accepted by OHIM and by all national intellectual property offices in the European Union and beyond. http://tmclass.tmdn.org/ec2/search/find;jsessionid=A18300021E9F6C6E941E13256D6D2A2D.ec2t1?language=en&text=clothes+alteration&niceClass=&size=25&page=1&harmonised=true&officeList=WO&searchMode=WORDSPREFIX&sortBy=relevance

Selecting your goods and services from the Harmonised database allows OHIM to process your application more smoothly. Your application could also be accepted for Fast Track, OHIM's accelerated procedure to have your application published faster.

Remember that once you have filed your application you won't be able to add to your specification, so think carefully about which goods and/or services to choose. You may want to add goods and services that you may need as your business grows. However if you don't use your mark on all the goods or services you apply for, your CTM could be vulnerable to attack.

EU Trademark

CTM

Contact jane@trademarkroom.com for a free consultation