Trademark Registration – Classification Guide Class 42 in Japan

• How to chose goods/services

I’ve decided to start “creating or maintaining web sites for others.” First, I’ve prepared an impactful name and logo for the service, so I want to register it as a trademark to prevent others from copying it.

Then, don’t forget to specify Class 42, which includes “computer software design, computer programming, or maintenance of computer software”! There are many services related to scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto. Please chek it out.

Considering the future development of design services other than web sites for others, I think it would be better to designate other services in Class 42. If they are included in the same class, the cost will be the same. But I wonder if other services, for example “repair or maintenance of computers” can also be designated in Class 42 …?

Class 42 is a category for scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto.

Class 42 mainly includes architectural design, design services, computer software design, computer programming, or maintenance of computer software, rental of computers, providing computer programs on data networks, and also includes testing, inspection or research of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or foodstuffs.

It may be easier to understand if you think of services related to (1)investigation, research or design of sceientific technology and (2) deisn and development of computer and computer software

Services included in Class 42 and NOT included in Class 42

List of main services in Class 42

The main services included in Class 42 are listed below.

These services can be designated by Amazing DX_®.

• providing meteorological information
• architectural design
• surveying
• geological surveys or research
• designing of machines, apparatus, instruments [including their parts] or systems composed of such machines, apparatus and instruments
• design services
• computer software design, computer programming, or maintenance of computer software
• technological advice relating to computers, automobiles and industrial machines
• testing, inspection or research of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or foodstuffs
• research on building construction or city planning
• testing or research on prevention of pollution
• testing or research on electricity
• testing or research on civil engineering
• testing, inspection or research on agriculture, livestock breeding or fisheries
• testing or research on machines, apparatus and instruments
• rental of measuring apparatus
• rental of computers
• providing computer programs on data networks
• rental of laboratory apparatus and instruments
• rental of technical drawing instruments

The above list of “main services included in Class 42” is just an example.

Let’s take a closer look at what other services are included in Class 42 and what services are not.

What should you do if you want to specify such items? (Services included in Class 42)

Services related to architectural design, surveying, testing or research of pharmaceuticals or foodstuffs

→When you want to specify such an item in Amazing DX_®, please specify the service that the item is included in.

For example, …..

Services related to design services, computer software design, computer programming, or maintenance of computer software

→When you want to specify such an item in Amazing DX_®, please specify the service that the item is included in.

For example, …..

Other services

Services NOT included in Class 42

marketing research and business investigations

• business investigations【Class 35】
• marketing research【Class 35】
• financial assessment of company credit【Class 36】
• investigation or surveillance services for checking background profiles【Class 45】                  

I see. So even for research services, services that are not directly related to science or technology can be in a separate class.

Yes. Even some services related to computers may need to be designated in a different class.

• office functions, namely filing, in particular documents or magnetic tapes【Class 35】
• compilation of information into computer databases【Class 35】
• providing business assistance to others in the operation of data processing apparatus namely, computers, typewriters, telex machines and other similar office machines【Class 35】
• repair or maintenance of computers【Class 37】

Other services NOT included in Class 42

• business auditing【Class 35】
• mining extraction, drilling of deep oil or gas wells【Class 37】
• sound engineering services【Class 41】
• landscape design【Class 44】
• medical and veterinary services【Class 44】
• providing services for legal issues【Class 45】
• legal research【Class 45】

“Repair or maintenance of computers” is not in Class 42!

File a trademark application in Japan, designating services in Class 42!

Class 42 is for scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto. If you are in the industry of scientific and technological research, you may want to consider filing a trademark application in Class 42 first.

Amazing DX_® allows you to easily select your designated goods and services online.

First, please select as many goods and services as possible. After the search, it is easy to exclude the goods and services marked with × and search again.

If you are not sure which goods or services to select, please feel free to contact us via chat. Our attorneys specializing in trademarks will be happy to answer your questions.

Reference: Japan Patent Office, “Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and
Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 11th Edition, Version 2022)”

Supervisor for the article:

HARAKENZO WORLD PATENT & TRADEMARK

大阪法務戦略部長 八谷　晃典

Specialist, attorney, 特定侵害訴訟代理人, Supervisor