Understanding Trademark Classes and Descriptions of Goods & Services
When applying for a U.S. trademark, one of the most important decisions is how to describe the goods and services your mark will cover. This isn’t just paperwork detail — it defines the scope of your protection. Get it right, and your brand is well-defended. Get it wrong, and you may find yourself with a weak registration or even facing rejection.
The Trademark Classes
Trademarks are divided into 45 classes under the international Nice Classification system:
- Classes 1–34 cover goods (everything from chemicals to clothing to food).
- Classes 35–45 cover services (from business consulting to legal services to entertainment).
Each class is essentially a “bucket” that organizes trademarks by industry. For example:
- Class 25 = Clothing.
- Class 30 = Coffee, tea, and baked goods.
- Class 41 = Education and training services.
Your trademark protection applies only to the classes you register in. That’s why a clothing brand called “Orion” might coexist with a tech company of the same name — they’re in different classes.
Choosing the Right Description
When filing, you must provide a description of your goods or services. There are two main options:
- Pick from the USPTO Manual of Acceptable Identifications of Goods & Services.
- Free to use.
- Pre-approved by the USPTO, so your application moves more smoothly.
- Example: “T-shirts” (Class 25) or “Legal services” (Class 45).
- You can search the USPTO ID Manual here.
- Write Your Own (Custom Description).
- Fee: $200 per class (in addition to the standard filing fee).
- Must be under 100 characters.
- Risk: If your wording is vague or unclear, the USPTO may refuse it, causing delays.
- Sometimes useful if your product or service doesn’t neatly fit into the manual’s list.
Tip: Whenever possible, use the USPTO’s pre-approved descriptions. They save money, reduce risk, and speed up the process.
How Skala Can Help
On Skala, we guide clients through the entire trademark lifecycle — from clearance searches and filings to responding to USPTO office actions and enforcing rights against infringers. Whether you are a startup choosing your first brand name or an established company expanding internationally, our team ensures your brand remains secure.