Why is the description of goods and services important?

The description of goods and services helps determine the scope of trademark protection and the classes covered by the application.

An accurate description helps:

• Identify the correct classes
• Define the trademark's coverage
• Reduce examination issues
• Clarify the nature of the business

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.