A Guide to Trade Mark Class 29
Emily Young
When you apply for a trade mark for your goods or service, you are required to select one or more trade mark classes. The process of selecting your trade mark classes is essential, because it determines the scope of your trade mark protection. Trade mark class 29 is one of the 45 different trade mark classes available for registration. It primarily covers meats and other processed foods. This article will:
- take you through what trade mark classes are;
- explain coordinated trade marks; and
- provide you with a guide to trade mark class 29.
What Are Trade Mark Classes?
When applying for a trade mark, you are required to select a trade mark class or classes that you will use your trade mark for. Trade marks are divided into 45 classes, broken down by 34 goods and 11 services, as classified by the Nice classification system.
The trade mark classes you select are important because it defines your scope of protection. Your trade mark will only be protected under the classes you select. The trade mark class system allows businesses with the same name operating in different markets to coexist without infringing on each others’ trade marks.
Trade Mark Class 29: Meats and Processed Foods
Trade mark class 29 relates primarily to meat and processed food products. You can find some examples of goods classified under trade mark class 29 in the table below:
| Meat, fish and poultry | • Bacon • Black pudding • Caviar • Eggs • Fish • Salted meats • Sausages |
| Meat extracts | • Meat soups and stocks |
| Dried fruits and vegetables | • Pureed fruits • Beans • Crystalised fruits • Fruit peel or pulp • Lentils • Preserved vegetables (such as olives and onions) • Vegetable soup |
| Jams and compote | • Cranberry sauce • Fruit jams |
| Milk and milk products | • Cow milk • Yoghurt • Rice milk |
| Edible oils and fats | • Bone oil • Butter • Coconut butter, oil and fat • Gelatine • Lard • Sesame oil |
Coordinated Trade Mark Classes
While trade mark class 29 is all-inclusive, some goods that may appear to belong to trade mark class 29, but in fact are not, include:
- baby food;
- foods used for medical or pharmaceutical purposes;
- fertilised eggs for hatching;
- animal food; and
- live animals.
If your goods are any of the above products, you will need to explore different trade mark classes, including coordinated trade mark classes. Coordinated classes refer to similar or related trade mark classes. The following classes are considered coordinated with trade mark class 29:
- pharmaceuticals, class 5;
- coffee, flour, and rice, class 30;
- grains and agriculture, class 31;
- science and technology services, class 42.
You can apply for a trade mark under more than one class, although it is important to note that you must use your trade mark in each registered class or risk losing your trade mark protection.
Common Trade Mark Class Errors
When selecting trade mark classes, there are a few common errors that are easy to make. This includes choosing too few or too many trade mark classes. Choosing too few trade mark classes will put you at risk of having a reduced scope of protection. It is not possible to add another trade mark class to your application at a later date. Instead, you would have to make an entirely new trade mark application. This makes it important to choose the right trade mark classes before submitting your trade mark application.
Alternatively, if you choose too many trade mark classes, you risk losing your trade mark. This is because it will be harder to meet the requirement to use your trade mark under each trade mark class. It is also important to consider that you pay per trade mark class when making your application. You also need to pay renewal fees. As a result, having too many trade mark classes may result in unnecessary expenses.
Key Takeaways
To obtain the most comprehensive trade mark protection for your goods, you must choose the best trade mark classes. Trade mark class 29 may be appropriate for your business if your goods are related to:
- meat, fish and poultry;
- meat extracts;
- dried fruits and vegetables;
- jams and compote;
- milk and milk products; and
- edible oils and fats.
If you need help determining the best trade mark class for your goods or need general trade mark assistance, our experienced trade mark lawyers can help. Contact 1300 657 423 or fill out the form on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When applying for a trade mark, you are required to select a trade mark class or classes that you will use your trade mark for. Trade marks are divided into 45 classes, broken down by 34 goods and 11 services as classified by the Nice classification system.
Trade mark class 29 is a trade mark class primarily relating to meat and processed foods. Trade mark class 29 may be relevant to your goods if they relate to meat, dried fruits and vegetables, jams and compote, milk and milk products and edible oils and fats.