How to determine the class of a trademark registration in Japan

2024年9月9日 2024年9月9日 Amazing DX Support Team

What exactly is a trademark “class”?

A class is a category of goods or services offered as a business, divided into 45 categories.
It is one of the indispensable items for trademark registration, and it is necessary to select classes that suits the purpose of using the trademark.

Well, the point is that we need to find the category that includes the use of our trademark.

On this page, we will briefly introduce the classes with a table listing the Japanese trademark registration classes.

What is a class of designated goods/services?

Class ≒ Scope of business

To file an application for trademark registration in Japan, you need to decide at least two things

Trademark
Goods or services for which the trademark is to be used

The “goods or services for which the trademark is to be used” are classified into categories from Class 1 to Class 45.

*A single business can fall under more than one class.

How to determine the class: Select by business field

When choosing the class of designated goods or services, it is best to choose from the “scope of business in which the trademark is used.”

For example, the following is an example of how to choose.

If you use it for beverages, Class 32, 33, etc.
If you use it for software, Class 9, 42, etc.

ビジネス分野（業種）から商標登録の区分を決める方法を解説！

List of 45 classes for trademark registration in Japan

For goods, Class 1 to 34
For services, Class 35 to 45

Class	Fields of Goods/Services
Class 1	Chemicals for industrial, scientific or agricultural use
Class 2	Paints, colorants and preparations for the prevention of corrosion
Class 3	Detergents and cosmetics
Class 4	Industrial oils, industrial fats and oils, fuels and optical agents
Class 5	薬剤
Class 6	Base metals and products thereof
Class 7	Processing machines, prime movers (excluding those for land vehicles), other machinery
Class 8	Hand tools, hand operated, other than bladed or pointed hand tools
Class 9類	Machines and apparatus for scientific, navigational, surveying, photographic, acoustic, visual, measuring, signaling, inspection, lifesaving, educational, calculating or information processing purposes, optical machines and apparatus, and machines and apparatus for conducting electricity, for opening and closing electric circuits, for transforming, for storing electricity, for regulating voltage or for controlling electricity
Class 12	Medical machines and apparatus and medical supplies
Class 11	Lighting, heating, steam generation, cooking, cooling, drying, ventilating, water supply or sanitary equipment
Class 12	Vehicles and other mobility equipment
Class 13	Firearms and pyrotechnics
Class 14	Precious metals, articles of precious metal not elsewhere classified, jewelry and watches
Class 15	Musical instruments
Class 16	Paper, paper products and office supplies
Class 17	Materials for electrical insulation, heat insulation or soundproofing, and plastics for materials
Class 18	Leather and imitations thereof, travel goods and harness
Class 19	Non-metallic building materials
Class 20	Furniture and plastic products not elsewhere classified
Class 21	Manual utensils for household or kitchen use, cosmetic utensils, glassware and porcelain
Class 22	Rope products, canvas products, stuffing materials and raw fibers for textiles
Class 23	織物用の糸
Class 24	Textile fabrics and textile covers for household use
Class 25	Clothing and footwear
Class 28	Sewing supplies
Class 27	Floor coverings and non-woven wall coverings
Class 28	Toys, playthings and sports equipment
Class 29	Animal food, processed vegetables and other edible garden produce
Class 30	加工した植物性の食品（他の類に属するものを除く。）及び調味料
Class 31	Unprocessed land products, live animals and plants, and feed
Class 32	Non-alcoholic beverages and beer
Class 33	Alcoholic beverages other than beer
Class 34	Cigarettes, smoking implements and matches
Class 35	Advertising, business management or administration, office work, and retail services or wholesale services
Class 36	Finance, insurance and real estate transactions
Class 37	Construction, installation and repair
Class 38	Telecommunications
Class 39	Transportation, packing and storage; travel arrangements
Class 40	Processing and other treatment of goods
Class 41	Education, training, recreation, sports and cultural activities
Class 42	Research, study and design relating to science technology or industry, and design and development of computers or software
Class 43	Provision of food, drink and accommodation
Class 44	Medical care, treatment of animals, hygiene and beauty services relating to people or animals, and services relating to agriculture, horticulture or forestry
Class 45	Services for ceremonial occasions and other services provided to meet individual needs (excluding those belonging to other classes), security and legal services

From “Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 12th Edition, Version 2024)”

Relationship between trademark registration and classes

You may be thinking, “Why not just file an application designating all 45 classes?”

However, the fees to be paid to the JPO increase with the number of classes. In many cases, the fee for a patent attorney is also the same.

If you file an application for 45 classes, the JPO fee alone at the time of filing is 390,400 JPY! In addition, there is also a JPO fee at the time of registration, which is even more expensive.

Thus, it is very important to select the necessary classes.

商標登録の費用の相場とその内訳は？総額まで詳しく解説！

We need to make sure we have the necessary range, but it’s not a good idea to specify this or that.

Once you know the class(es), decide on the designated goods and services

Once you have a good idea of the class(es), you must decide on the specific goods/services for which you will file an application.

It is possible to designate the goods/services with a description that matches the content of your goods/services. However, depending on the description, registration may be refused.

Even if the description of the goods or service is accepted in a foreign country, it may not be accepted in Japan.

Therefore, it is advisable to use a description of goods/service that has already been approved for registration by the JPO.

You can search for goods/services that are approved for registration in J-Plat Pat’s Goods/Service Name Search.

商標の分類とは？　区分の選び方やさがし方のヒント

If you are not sure how to choose a class, please contact Amazing DX!

In order to keep the scope of your trademark application from becoming too broad while keeping the necessary designated goods/services under control, we recommend that you consult with a patent attorney who is experienced in trademark applications.

Amazing DX is an online trademark application and registration service operated by a major Japanese intellectual property firm with patent attorneys specializing in trademarks.

If you are not sure about your choice of classes, please feel free to contact us.

Feel free to consult a patent attorney!

Are you worried about your trademark all by yourself?

If you have any problems, please contact our experienced trademark attorneys!

Inquiry

この記事の監修者:

HARAKENZO WORLD PATENT & TRADEMARK

大阪法務戦略部長八谷　晃典

Specialist, attorney, Specially Qualified Attorney For Infringement Litigation, Supervisor