Examples of Trade Mark Class 44

Emily Young

• 7 March 2022
• 8 March 2022
• 5 min read

A trade mark is a type of intellectual property (IP) protection that gives you exclusive rights to use and commercialise your business’ brand assets. These exclusive rights serve as a useful legal and marketing tool, enabling you to grow your business through effective branding. For example, you might choose to obtain a trade mark over your brand logo, which will ensure your business’ logo is yours exclusively to use and therefore not confused with that of your competitors. 

One of the first steps in the trade mark registration process is nominating the classes under which you will use your trade mark. These trade mark classes categorise trade marks by what goods and services they relate to. One such trade mark class is class 44, covering broad medical and veterinary services.

To help you understand trade mark classes and their purpose, this article will take you through the basics of trade mark classes and provide examples of trade mark class 44.

What Are Trade Mark Classes?

Trade marks are separated into 45 different categories, as per the globally recognised Nice classification system for trade marks. This system breaks down trade marks into 34 categories of goods and 11 categories of services.

Trade mark classes are important, as you will need to select the classes that you will use your trade mark for as part of the trade mark application process. This is an important process and should be done with care, as the trade mark classes chosen will determine the scope of your trade mark protection. 

Further, you will not be able to add more classes to your application once submitted. Instead, you would need to make a new trade mark application entirely. This makes it all the more important to choose the right classes in the first instance.

What is Included in Trade Mark Class 44?

Trade mark class 44 is a service class that covers a wide range of medical and veterinary services. It also includes some services relating to horticulture and forestry, making it a diverse trade mark class.

We outline some of the services under trade mark class 44 in the table below.

The above table is a general guide to trade mark class 44 and should not be treated as a complete list.

What Are Similar Trade Mark Classes?

Trade mark class 44 is a broad trade mark class that covers a range of medical and veterinary services in addition to agriculture, horticulture and forestry services. If you consider your business’ services fit into trade mark class 44, you might also want to consider associated trade mark classes. Classes that are associated with trade mark class 44 include:

• 3 for cosmetics and cleaning preparations;
• 37 for construction and repair services;
• 42 for science and technology services; and
• 45 for legal and security services.

The above classes are considered associated with trade mark class 44 because they cover goods and services similar to those covered in class 44.

While you can apply for a trade mark under more than one class, and it is, in fact, common to do so, you should consider that you have to use your trade mark in each class to maintain your registration.

What Are Common Trade Mark Errors to Avoid?

When selecting the most appropriate trade mark classes for your proposed trade mark, you should ensure that you do not choose too many or too few trade mark classes. As noted above, choosing too many classes means you risk losing your trade mark under that class. This is because you have to use your trade mark under each class you register it for. Registering a trade mark under classes you do not use will result in unnecessary registration and renewal fees.

Further, you should avoid choosing too few trade mark classes, as you do not want to reduce the scope of protection. Once you have registered your trade mark, adding another trade mark class to your application is not possible. Instead, you would need to make an entirely new application, making it important you select the right classes in the first instance.  

Key Takeaways

Trade marks serve as a useful legal and marketing tool, enabling you to grow your business through effective branding. Trade mark class 44 may be suitable for your trade mark if your business services belong to the following categories:

• medical;
• veterinary;
• hygienic and beauty care for people or animals; or
• agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

If you need help determining the best trade mark class for your goods or services, or need general trade mark assistance, our experienced trade mark lawyers can help. You can get in touch with them on 1300 657 423.

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