A business may need multiple classes if the trademark is used with multiple types of goods or services that fall into different classes.

Each class covers a different category of goods or services and generally carries its own USPTO filing fee. Filing in unnecessary classes can increase cost, while omitting a class may leave important goods or services outside the application.

Trademark applications classify goods and services using the international Nice Classification system. There are 45 classes: Classes 1 through 34 generally cover goods, while Classes 35 through 45 generally cover services. A class is an administrative category; the legal scope of an application also depends on the exact identification of goods or services written within that class.

Choosing a class is not simply choosing the industry that sounds closest. The applicant must identify what is actually sold or provided under the mark. A single brand can require multiple classes when it is used for different types of products or services, and government filing fees are generally assessed per class.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency responsible for examining U.S. trademark applications, issuing federal registrations, and maintaining official trademark records.