Under the globally recognised Nice Classification system, trademarks are categorised into 45 different classes to facilitate the registration and protection of various goods and services. Trademark Class 45 deals explicitly with services related to legal, security, social, and personal affairs. It encompasses services that involve legal rights, protection of individuals or property, social services, and personal assistance.
This blog provides a detailed overview of Trademark Class 45 in India, explaining what it includes, what it excludes, the advantages of registering your trademark under Class 45, examples of trademarks, and the registration process.
What is Trademark Class 45?
Trademark Class 45 includes services relating to legal matters, and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals, and security services for the protection of property and individuals. Registering a trademark in this class is essential for law firms, private investigators, security agencies, notaries, and NGOs.
Services Covered under Trademark Class 45
1. Legal & Intellectual Property Services
- Legal advice, advocacy, and representation before courts, tribunals, and government bodies
- Legal research, drafting agreements/contracts, wills, and affidavits
- Arbitration, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution services
- Licensing, administration, and enforcement of intellectual property rights such as trademarks, patents, copyrights, etc.
- Domain-name registration and legal compliance auditing
- Notarial services, legal process serving, conveyancing, and licensing of computer software under legal provisions
- Legal consultancy in varied fields (immigration, consumer protection, environmental law, public tenders)
2. Security & Investigation Services
- Physical protection of individuals and property (bodyguards, VIP, private guard services)
- Surveillance, detective, and missing-person investigations
- Security consultancy, risk assessment, and inspection of facilities for safety
- Alarm and baggage screening services, opening of locks, tracking of stolen property
- Monitoring of burglar and security alarm systems, night guard services
- Rental of security-related equipment (fire alarms, safes, fire extinguishers)
- Fire-fighting services relating to property security
3. Personal & Social Services
- Adoption agency services and family background checks
- Matrimonial and dating agency services, dream-chaperoning for social events
- Babysitting, house-sitting, pet-sitting, and dog walking services
- Personal bodyguarding, personal shopping, lifestyle assistance, and stylist services
- Horoscope casting, genealogy research, and personal background investigations
- Wedding ceremony planning, social introductions
- Online social networking services for personal use
- Lost-property return services
4. Religious, Spiritual & Funeral Services
- Conducting religious ceremonies and spiritual guidance
- Funeral arrangements, embalming, crematoria, burial services, grief counselling
- Releasing doves or other symbolic services at events
Examples of Trademarks in Class 45
- LawRato
- Sulekha Matrimonial
- G4S
- TrademarkKart
What Class 45 does not cover
Trademark Class 45 does not include:
- Financial and insurance services are covered in Class 36
- Software or platform-based legal tools covered in Class 9 or Class 42
- Education or training for law or rights awareness covered in Class 41
- Investigation of business matters or market research covered in Class 35
- Medical or psychological counselling is covered in Class 44
Who Should Register under Trademark Class 45?
The following entities should seek trademark protection under Class 45:
- Law firms and independent legal practitioners
- IP registration and consultancy firms
- Arbitration and mediation centres
- Security and detective agencies
- Marriage bureaus and adoption services
- NGOs working towards personal aid or human rights
- Legal tech companies offering documentation or compliance support
- Funeral service providers and spiritual consultants
Benefits of Registering a Trademark under Class 45
Registering your brand under Class 45:
- Helps in preventing the unauthorised use of your brand in legal and security services.
- Establishes a unique identity in the eyes of clients and regulatory bodies.
- Assures clients of authenticity in sensitive and confidential service sectors.
- Provides legal rights to initiate legal action against infringement.
- Enables franchising or licensing for legal-tech and consultancy firms.
- Assists in brand positioning for matrimonial, adoption, and social services.
- Enhances the valuation of firms offering IP registration or protection services.
- Allows easy expansion under the same brand across different Indian states.
- Reduces brand confusion in an industry driven by trust and confidentiality.
- Attracts collaborations or investors in regulated and compliance-based sectors.
Overlapping Classes
Some classes of the trademark may overlap with Class 45, such as
- Class 9 – It is used for legal software, documentation apps, surveillance tools
- Class 35 – It is used for marketing and business investigations
- Class 36 – It is used for financial, insurance, and compliance services
- Class 41 – It is used for training or legal education
- Class 42 – It is used for legal-tech platforms and IP software development
- Class 44 – It is used for personal care or medical counselling
How to Register a Trademark under Class 45 in India?
Step 1: Trademark Search
Conduct a thorough search on IP India’s portal to check whether your desired mark is registered within Class 45.
Step 2: Prepare Form TM-A
Draft the application using Form TM-A. Use correct terminology based on the official classification.
Step 3: Submit the Application
You can file the application either online via the IP India website or manually at the Trademark Registry office.
Step 4: Examination and Reply
After you file your trademark application, the Registrar of Trademarks will examine whether it complies with the established requirements.
If the Registrar raises any objections (either absolute or relative grounds), an Examination Report will be issued.
- You must file a written reply to the objections within 30 days from the date of receipt of the report.
- If the Registrar finds the reply satisfactory, the application proceeds to publication.
- If not, the Registrar may schedule a show-cause hearing for further clarification before deciding on acceptance or rejection.
Step 5: Publication in the Trademark Journal
Once your application is accepted, the mark is advertised in the Trademark Journal. The trademark remains published for 4 months, allowing third parties to file an opposition.
Step 6: Opposition and Issuance of Registration Certificate
If someone opposes the registration, the case may go into a hearing. If it is resolved in your favour or if unopposed, the registrar issues a registration certificate.
Validity and Renewal
- A registered trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of registration
- The registration can be renewed from time to time for successive periods of ten years each.
Conclusion
A registered trademark offers not only legal exclusivity but also commercial and reputational strength, as services in the field of legal, social, and security spheres frequently rely significantly on public confidence. Registering your trademark under Class 45 is a proactive step towards brand protection, growth, and compliance, regardless of your business’s industry.
