Trademark Classes Explained: How to Choose the Right Protection for Your Brand
When people apply for a trademark, they often focus on the name or logo they want to protect. But there’s another part of the process that can be just as important—and often confusing: trademark classes.
Choosing the wrong trademark class can delay your application, limit your protection, or even cause your trademark to be rejected. Understanding how trademark classes work helps consumers and business owners protect their brand the right way from the start.
What Are Trademark Classes?
Trademark classes are categories used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to organize goods and services. Every product or service falls into one or more of these classes.
There are:
45 total trademark classes
34 classes for products
11 classes for services
When you apply for a trademark, you must choose the class or classes that best describe how you actually use your brand.
Why Trademark Classes Matter
Your trademark protection only applies to the goods or services listed in your application. That means your trademark is not protected for everything—only for what you specify.
For example, a business name used for clothing may be protected in one class, while the same name used for software could belong to a completely different class. Two companies can sometimes legally use the same name if they operate in unrelated classes.
Choosing the right class helps:
Protect your brand from copycats
Avoid application delays
Prevent expensive re-filing later
Reduce the risk of legal disputes
Common Trademark Classes Consumers Encounter
While there are many classes, some appear more often for everyday businesses and creators.
Products may fall into classes like:
Clothing and accessories
Cosmetics and skincare
Food and beverages
Services may include:
Online retail services
Education or coaching
Marketing or consulting
The key is matching your trademark to what you actually sell or provide—not what you plan to offer someday.
One Class or Multiple Classes?
Some brands need more than one class. For example, a company that sells physical products online may need:
One class for the products themselves
Another class for online retail services
Each class requires a separate filing fee, so it’s important to balance cost with proper protection. Filing too narrowly can leave gaps, while filing too broadly can raise red flags with the USPTO.
Common Mistakes People Make
Many consumers and small business owners make mistakes when choosing trademark classes, often without realizing it.
Some of the most common errors include:
Choosing a class that sounds right but doesn’t match actual use
Filing for future plans instead of current use
Copying a competitor’s class without understanding why
Selecting too many classes without a clear reason
These mistakes can slow down approval or weaken your trademark rights.
What the USPTO Looks For
The USPTO reviews trademark applications carefully. If your class does not match your description of goods or services, the examiner may issue an office action asking for clarification or changes.
This can add time, stress, and extra cost to the process. Clear, accurate class selection from the beginning helps keep your application moving forward.
How Trademark Classes Affect Enforcement
Trademark classes don’t just matter during registration—they also affect enforcement. If another business uses a similar name in a different class, you may not be able to stop them.
Proper class selection helps ensure your trademark protection aligns with how consumers see your brand in the marketplace.
Getting Help Choosing the Right Classes
Trademark classes can be tricky, especially for first-time applicants. Many people don’t realize how much strategy goes into selecting the right ones.
An intellectual property attorney can help:
Identify the correct class or classes
Draft accurate descriptions
Avoid unnecessary fees
Strengthen long-term protection
Working with Braslow Legal gives consumers and business owners guidance tailored to their specific brand and goals, helping them avoid common filing mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Trademark classes may not be the most exciting part of brand protection, but they are one of the most important. Choosing the right class helps ensure your trademark actually protects what matters to you.
If you’re thinking about registering a trademark, understanding classes before you file can save time, money, and frustration. A little planning now can go a long way toward protecting your brand in the future.