Why Trademark Protection is Essential for Your Business

Your business name and brand are among your most valuable assets. Trademark protection ensures exclusive rights to use your brand, prevents competitors from copying your identity, and builds long-term value for your company.

Understanding USPTO Trademark Classes

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) uses the Nice Classification system, which organizes all goods and services into 45 distinct classes. As of January 1, 2025, the Nice Classification Twelfth Edition (NCL 12-2025) is in effect.

The 45 Trademark Classes Explained

Goods Classes (1-34):

• Class 1 - Chemicals used in industry, science, photography, agriculture, horticulture, and forestry

• Class 2 - Paints, varnishes, lacquers, preservatives against rust and deterioration of wood

• Class 3 - Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations, cleaning preparations

• Class 4 - Industrial oils and greases, wax, lubricants, dust absorbing compositions

• Class 5 - Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations, sanitary preparations

• Class 6 - Common metals and their alloys, metal building materials, transportable buildings

• Class 7 - Machines, machine tools, power-operated tools, motors and engines

• Class 8 - Hand tools and implements, cutlery, side arms, razors

• Class 9 - Scientific, research, navigation, surveying, photographic, cinematographic apparatus

• Class 10 - Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments

• Class 11 - Apparatus and installations for lighting, heating, cooling, steam generating

• Class 12 - Vehicles, apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water

• Class 13 - Firearms, ammunition and projectiles, explosives, fireworks

• Class 14 - Precious metals and their alloys, jewelry, precious and semi-precious stones

• Class 15 - Musical instruments, music stands and stands for musical instruments

• Class 16 - Paper and cardboard, printed matter, bookbinding material, photographs

• Class 17 - Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica

• Class 18 - Leather and imitations of leather, animal skins and hides, luggage

• Class 19 - Non-metallic building materials, non-metallic rigid pipes for building

• Class 20 - Furniture, mirrors, picture frames, containers not of metal for storage

• Class 21 - Household or kitchen utensils and containers, cookware and tableware

• Class 22 - Ropes and string, nets, tents and tarpaulins, awnings of textile or synthetic materials

• Class 23 - Yarns and threads for textile use

• Class 24 - Textiles and substitutes for textiles, household linen, curtains

• Class 25 - Clothing, footwear, headwear

• Class 26 - Lace, braid and embroidery, buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles

• Class 27 - Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering floors

• Class 28 - Games, toys and playthings, video game apparatus, gymnastic and sporting articles

• Class 29 - Meat, fish, poultry and game, meat extracts, preserved fruits and vegetables

• Class 30 - Coffee, tea, cocoa and artificial coffee, rice, pasta and noodles

• Class 31 - Raw and unprocessed agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural and forestry products

• Class 32 - Beers, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral and aerated waters, fruit beverages

• Class 33 - Alcoholic beverages, except beers, alcoholic preparations for making beverages

• Class 34 - Tobacco and tobacco substitutes, cigarettes and cigars, electronic cigarettes

Services Classes (35-45):

• Class 35 - Advertising, business management, business administration, office functions

• Class 36 - Insurance, financial affairs, monetary affairs, real estate affairs

• Class 37 - Building construction, repair, installation services

• Class 38 - Telecommunications services

• Class 39 - Transport, packaging and storage of goods, travel arrangement

• Class 40 - Treatment of materials, recycling of waste and trash, air purification

• Class 41 - Education, providing of training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities

• Class 42 - Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto

• Class 43 - Services for providing food and drink, temporary accommodation

• Class 44 - Medical services, veterinary services, hygienic and beauty care for human beings

• Class 45 - Legal services, security services for the physical protection of tangible property

Why Multiple Classes Matter

Many businesses operate across multiple categories. For example, a technology company might need protection in:

• Class 9 (software and computer hardware)

• Class 35 (business services and advertising)

• Class 42 (technological services and software development)

Each class requires separate filing fees and provides distinct protection for different aspects of your business.

The Cost of Protection

USPTO base filing fees start at $350 per class, but comprehensive trademark registration requires legal expertise to navigate the complex application process, conduct thorough searches, and respond to office actions.

Professional Legal Support

At Sagebrush, we partner with Neon Law® to provide comprehensive trademark services. Our experienced attorneys can:

• Conduct comprehensive trademark searches across all relevant classes

• File applications with precise classification

• Handle USPTO office actions and responses

• Provide ongoing trademark maintenance and protection

For just $499 per trademark per class, our partner attorneys at Neon Law® handle the entire process, ensuring your brand receives maximum protection under federal trademark law.

Getting Started

Trademark protection is an investment in your business future. The sooner you file, the stronger your position becomes. Start by identifying which classes best describe your goods and services, then let our legal experts handle the complex filing process.

Your brand deserves professional protection. Contact us today to begin securing your trademark rights with confidence.