A trademark is any sign that distinguishes your goods or services from those of other businesses. It is the legal foundation of your brand.
ArticleQuick reference: the 45 Nice classes
A structured overview of all 45 trademark classes, grouped by goods and services.
Goods - Classes 1 to 34
- Cl. 1 - Chemicals
- Cl. 2 - Paints and coatings
- Cl. 3 - Cosmetics and cleaning
- Cl. 4 - Oils and fuels
- Cl. 5 - Pharmaceuticals
- Cl. 6 - Metal products
- Cl. 7 - Machinery
- Cl. 8 - Hand tools
- Cl. 9 - Electronics and software
- Cl. 10 - Medical devices
- Cl. 11 - Lighting and appliances
- Cl. 12 - Vehicles
- Cl. 13 - Firearms
- Cl. 14 - Jewellery
- Cl. 15 - Musical instruments
- Cl. 16 - Paper goods
- Cl. 17 - Rubber goods
- Cl. 18 - Leather goods
- Cl. 19 - Building materials
- Cl. 20 - Furniture
- Cl. 21 - Household utensils
- Cl. 22 - Ropes and fibres
- Cl. 23 - Yarns and threads
- Cl. 24 - Textiles
- Cl. 25 - Clothing
- Cl. 26 - Haberdashery
- Cl. 27 - Floor coverings
- Cl. 28 - Games and sports
- Cl. 29 - Meat and food products
- Cl. 30 - Staple foods
- Cl. 31 - Agriculture products
- Cl. 32 - Beer and soft drinks
- Cl. 33 - Alcoholic beverages
- Cl. 34 - Tobacco
Services - Classes 35 to 45
- Cl. 35 - Advertising and business management
- Cl. 36 - Financial services
- Cl. 37 - Construction and repair
- Cl. 38 - Telecommunications
- Cl. 39 - Transport and storage
- Cl. 40 - Treatment of materials
- Cl. 41 - Education and entertainment
- Cl. 42 - Technology and scientific services
- Cl. 43 - Food and accommodation services
- Cl. 44 - Medical services
- Cl. 45 - Legal and security services
More articles
Intellectual property protection comes in several forms. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right tool.
The European Union Intellectual Property Office manages EU trademarks and designs - covering all 27 member states in a single registration.
Registering a trademark follows a structured process. Understanding each stage helps you set the right expectations and avoid delays.
Registration timelines vary by office and complexity. A straightforward EU trademark typically takes 4 to 6 months from filing to registration.
There are two separate reasons a trademark application can fail. Either the name is not something any single business is allowed to monopolise, or it collides with a trademark that already exists. The two are assessed at different stages, and they need different fixes.
Trademarks are registered for specific goods and services, organised into 45 classes under the Nice Agreement - a global system used by over 150 countries.
Registration is not the end of the process - it is the beginning. Monitoring ensures your mark is not diluted or infringed without your knowledge.
If a newly published trademark conflicts with yours, you can challenge it during the opposition period. Here is how the process works.
Registered trademarks must be renewed every 10 years. Failure to renew results in expiry and loss of protection.
A registered trademark can be cancelled if it has not been genuinely used for 5 consecutive years. Here is what you need to know.
