BKIP Limited

COPYRIGHT BKIP 2019
What are classes? Feb 2019
Every trade mark will be registered into one or more of 45 classifications of goods and services, which determine what areas of business the trade mark will receive protection in. The first 34 classifications are related to goods, and the remaining 11 are for services. For example, a hat manufacturing would register their trade mark under class 25 which covers clothing, whereas a courier would register under class 39 which covers transport. It is important to select the right classifications from the outset, and consider any possible future business expansion, as once an application has been made, it may not be amended.
What are goods and services?
Within each classification, there are further “sub categories” of goods and services that narrow down which particular activities the business does. In class 25 of clothing, these would be everything from shoes, hats, t-shirts, shorts etc which can be covered. It would therefore be possible for instance for two fictional clothing companies named “Jones” for instance to hold a trade mark, with the first covering hats, and the second covering shoes, as long as one does not sell the others products. There can be thousands of these sub categories in each classification, so ensuring the right ones are selected are crucial to ensure you get the protection your business deserves.
Can I select every classification?
Unless your company has business activities in all 45 classes, then no you shouldn’t. In the UK, each classification costs an additional £50, which would total an additional £2200. In some countries, this figure is significantly higher, potentially making a trade mark extremely expensive. Cost aside, if you have a trade mark for classifications you are not using in your business, then your trade mark would be open to be attacked for “non use” and you would risk losing the entire trade mark.
As part of our service, BKIP will help understand everything about your business, and accurately advise which classifications you require, so you have nothing to worry about.