Under the internationally recognised Nice Classification system, trademarks are divided into 45 different classes. Classes 1 to 34 cover goods, and Classes 35 to 45 cover services. Among all of these, Trademark Class 36 is used for service classes that cover financial and insurance-related services. For companies engaged in the business of banking, insurance, investment, mutual funds, fintech, or real estate financing, understanding and registering under Class 36 is crucial for securing brand protection.
This blog provides a cover of the scope of Class 36, including and excluding services, overlapping classifications, benefits of registration, and the step-by-step registration process.
What is Trademark Class 36?
Trademark Class 36 covers the financial, insurance, real estate, and monetary services. It includes everything from banking and fund management to insurance underwriting, mutual funds, financial consultancy, and transactions related to real estate.
Services Covered under Trademark Class 36
According to the WIPO Nice Classification, the following services are specifically included in Class 36:
- accident insurance underwriting
- accommodation bureaux [apartments]
- actuarial services
- antique appraisal
- apartment house management
- rental of apartments
- art appraisal
- banking
- brokerage
- brokerage of carbon credits
- business liquidation services, financial
- capital investment
- charitable fund raising
- check [cheque] verification
- clearing, financial / clearing-houses, financial
- credit bureaux
- credit card services
- issuance of credit cards
- customs brokerage
- debit card services
- debt collection agencies
- debt advisory services
- deposits of valuables
- electronic funds transfer
- exchanging money
- factoring
- arranging finance for construction projects
- financial evaluation [insurance, banking, real estate]
- financial management
- financial analysis
- financial consultancy
- financial information
- financial sponsorship
- financial evaluation of standing timber / financial valuation of standing timber
- financial evaluation of wool / financial valuation of wool
- providing financial information via a web site
- financial management of reimbursement payments for others
- financing services
- fire insurance underwriting
- fiscal assessments / fiscal valuations
- health insurance underwriting
- hire-purchase financing / lease-purchase financing
- instalment loans
- insurance brokerage
- insurance underwriting
- insurance consultancy
- insurance information
- investment of funds
- jewellery [jewelry (Am.)] appraisal / jewellery appraisal / jewelry appraisal
- leasing of real estate
- leasing of farms
- lending against security
- life insurance underwriting
- loans [financing]
- marine insurance underwriting
- mortgage banking
- mutual funds
- numismatic appraisal
- rental of offices [real estate]
- online banking
- organization of collections
- pawnbrokerage
- provident fund services
- real estate agencies
- real estate brokerage
- real estate appraisal
- real estate management
- rent collection
- repair costs evaluation [financial appraisal]
- retirement payment services
- safe deposit services
- savings bank services
- securities brokerage
- stamp appraisal
- stock exchange quotations
- stock brokerage services
- stocks and bonds brokerage
- surety services / bail-bonding / guarantees
- issuance of tokens of value
- issuance of travellers’ cheques/issuance of travelers’ checks
- trusteeship / fiduciary
What is Not Covered under Class 36?
The following is not covered in Class 36 of the Trademark:
- Retirement homes (covered under Class 43)
- Business consultancy and management (Class 35)
- Building construction and repair (Class 37)
- Legal services relating to financial matters (Class 45)
- Educational services on finance (Class 41)
Related and Overlapping Classes
Trademark Class 36 may overlap with the following classes:
- Class 35: Business consultancy, auditing, tax preparation, and accounting
- Class 37: Building construction and repair (relevant for real estate developers)
- Class 41: Education and training in finance
- Class 42: Technology services (fintech software, crypto platforms)
- Class 45: Legal services in finance and property
Who Should Register under Trademark Class 36?
The following should register under the Class 36:
- Banks and NBFCs
- Asset management firms, mutual funds, and wealth managers
- Real estate brokers and companies that deal with the management of property
- Insurance companies and brokers
- Stockbrokers and investment advisory firms
- Fintech startups offering wallets, UPI, lending, or payment gateways
- Cryptocurrency platforms, exchanges, and entities/companies that provide blockchain-based finance
- Leasing companies and micro-finance institutions
Examples of Trademarks in Class 36
Some well-known financial brands registered under Class 36 include:
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Prudential
- Paytm
- LIC Insurance and Investment
- Axis Bank
Benefits of Registering a Trademark under Class 36
Registering your trademark under Class 36 provides several advantages:
- Exclusive rights: It protects the identity of your brand in the field of financial and insurance services.
- Legal protection: Registering your mark under the appropriate class helps in taking legal action against infringement or misuse of the mark.
- Trust and credibility: A registered mark builds trust in the regulated sectors like finance and insurance.
- Valuable asset: After the registration, the trademark itself becomes an intangible asset that can be used to generate money through franchising, licensing, or assignment.
- International Expansion: Registration in India can serve as the tool/basis for global application for the trademark registration under the Madrid Protocol.
How to Register a Trademark under Class 36 in India?
The process for registering your trademark under Class 36 is as follows:
Step 1: Do the Trademark Search
Use the IP India Public Search online portal to check whether your proposed brand name, logo, or tagline is not already registered with the trademark registry.
Step 2: File Application (Form TM-A)
Submit the Form TM-A with details of your mark, class 36, and description of services. You can file the application online at the IP India portal.
Step 3: Examination
Once you file your trademark application, the Registrar of Trademarks will examine it to check whether it complies with the requirements of Sections 9 and 11 of the Trademarks Act, 1999.
If the Registrar raises any objections, an Examination Report will be issued, and then:
- You need to file a reply to the objections within 30 days from the date of receipt of the report.
- If the Registrar finds the reply satisfactory, the application will proceed to publication.
- If not, the Registrar may issue a show-cause notice calling for a hearing to ask for clarification.
Step 4: Application Published in the Trademark Journal
Once your trademark application is accepted by the Registrar, the mark is advertised in the Trademark Journal. The trademark remains published for 4 months, so that third parties can file an opposition, if they want to.
Step 5: Opposition and Issuance of Registration Certificate
If someone opposes the registration, the case may go to a trademark hearing. If it is resolved in your favour or if unopposed, the registrar will issue a Trademark Registration Certificate.
Validity and Renewal of Trademark
- A registered trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of its registration
- The trademark registration can be renewed from time to time for consecutive periods of ten years.
Conclusion
Trademark Class 36 is important for protecting the brand names of businesses in finance, insurance, and real estate. India’s fintech sector is booming in 2025. It has opened up opportunities for digital payments, insurance growth, and real estate deals. Registering a trademark under this class not only protects your brand identity but also builds trust and credibility.
