A trademark is any sign that distinguishes your goods or services from those of other businesses. It is the legal foundation of your brand.
ArticleThe Nice Classification system
Trademarks are registered for specific goods and services, organised into 45 classes under the Nice Agreement - a global system used by over 150 countries.
Classes 1-34 cover goods. Classes 35-45 cover services. You must specify the classes relevant to your business when filing. This determines the scope of your protection.
Choosing the right classes
Registering in too few classes leaves gaps in protection. Registering in too many classes increases fees and may result in refusals if the classes are not relevant to your actual commercial activity. Strategic class selection is one of the most important decisions in trademark filing.
Common classes for technology companies
Class 9 (software, apps, electronic devices), Class 35 (business services, advertising, management), Class 38 (telecommunications), and Class 42 (software development, SaaS, technology services) are the most commonly used by tech businesses.
Use it or lose it
You must genuinely use your trademark in all registered classes within 5 years of registration. Marks not in use can be cancelled on grounds of non-use by third parties.
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.
A structured overview of all 45 trademark classes, grouped by goods and services.
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.
