Class 99 is not a real trademark class. It is an administrative label used by the Indian Trade Marks Registry to mark applications that cover two or more NICE classes in a single filing, known as a multi-class application under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
This is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Indian trademark law. Class 99 appears on the Trade Marks Journal and the registration certificate when a single Form TM-A application bundles multiple classes (for example, Class 25 for clothing + Class 35 for retail services). The actual classes you registered for are listed separately on the certificate; Class 99 is just the wrapper.
India follows the NICE Classification system (NCL 13-2026 effective 1 January 2026), which organises goods and services into 45 real classes (1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services). This guide explains exactly what Class 99 means under Indian law, when it makes commercial sense, the per-class fee structure, the divisional application escape route, and when single-class filings are the smarter call.
Key Takeaways
- Class 99 is not a real trademark class — it is an administrative label for multi-class filings under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
- A single Form TM-A application can cover multiple NICE classes; fees are charged per class, with no discount for bundling.
- Fee per class: ₹4,500 for individuals / DPIIT startups / MSMEs; ₹9,000 for companies, LLPs, and partnership firms (online filing).
- Validity: 10 years from the date of application, renewable indefinitely in 10-year blocks via Form TM-R.
- Biggest risk: an objection or opposition in any one class can stall the entire multi-class application.
- Escape route: Section 22 of the Trade Marks Act allows a divisional application to separate unaffected classes from a disputed one — but it adds cost and time.
What is Class 99 in Trademark?
Class 99 is not a separate category of goods or services. Instead, it is an administrative label the Indian Trade Marks Registry uses when an applicant files a single application covering multiple classes, known as a multi-class application.
In simple terms, when you file for trademark registration across two or more NICE classes, the Trade Marks Journal and the registration certificate often display the mark under “Class 99.” The actual classes you registered for are listed separately in the certificate.
This system was introduced when the Registry’s original IT module needed a workaround to handle multi-class applications without a major overhaul. Class 99, therefore, acts as a digital placeholder, not a real classification of goods.
Legal Basis: Section 18 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999
The legal foundation for Class 99 (multi-class) applications comes from Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, which permits a single application to cover different classes of goods and services. The fee is payable per class included in that application.
The multi-class application is filed using Form TM-A, the same form used for ordinary single-class trademark applications.
Class 99 Trademark Fees in India
Government fees apply per class, whether you file one multi-class (Class 99) application or several separate single-class applications. There is no discount for bundling.
Government Fee per Class (Online Filing — Form TM-A)
| Applicant Type | Fee per Class |
|---|---|
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 |
| Startup (DPIIT-recognised) | ₹4,500 |
| Small Enterprise (Udyam-registered MSME) | ₹4,500 |
| Companies, LLPs, Partnership Firms, other entities | ₹9,000 |
Physical filing costs slightly more: ₹5,000 per class for individuals/startups/MSMEs and ₹10,000 per class for companies, LLPs, and partnership firms.
Total Fee Estimator — Multi-Class Filing
| Number of Classes | Individual / Startup / MSME | Company / LLP / Partnership |
|---|---|---|
| 2 classes | ₹9,000 | ₹18,000 |
| 3 classes | ₹13,500 | ₹27,000 |
| 4 classes | ₹18,000 | ₹36,000 |
| 5 classes | ₹22,500 | ₹45,000 |
Professional / attorney fees are separate, typically ₹3,000–₹15,000 per class depending on complexity.
Important: Trademark fees are non-refundable, even if your application is opposed or rejected. Always confirm current fees on the official IP India portal before filing, as government fees can be revised.
Documents Required to File Trademark Class 99 in India
The documents needed are the same as for a single-class trademark application:
- Applicant’s name, address, and nationality.
- Clear representation of the mark (logo or wordmark).
- List of goods or services under each class.
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48) — required if filing through a registered trademark agent or attorney, and to be filed within two months of the application date.
- Udyam Registration certificate (for MSMEs) or DPIIT recognition certificate (for startups) to claim the reduced fee.
- Proof of prior use (if applicable) with date of first use.
- Class-wise list of goods and services — drafted strictly using approved language from the NICE Classification 13th Edition (NCL 13-2026). Vague or non-conforming descriptions are the leading cause of Class 99 examination objections.
How Trademark Registration Class 99 Works: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow the steps below to file your trademark application under the multi-class 99:
- Conduct a public search on the IP India portal for each class you plan to cover.
- Identify the correct NICE classes that match your goods and services. Misclassification can lead to rejection.
- File Form TM-A online, listing every class and paying the per-class fee in one go.
- Receive the application number. The Journal and certificate may display the mark under Class 99, but the underlying classes are recorded separately.
- The Trade Marks Examiner reviews the application across all included classes and issues an Examination Report, typically within 1–2 months. You must file a reply within one month of receiving the report under Rule 45 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Missing this deadline causes the application to be deemed abandoned — there is no automatic extension. If only one class is objected to, you can also consider filing a divisional application under Section 22 to separate the disputed class and let the cleaner classes proceed faster.
- Publication in the Trade Marks Journal allows third parties 4 months to file an opposition.
- A Trademark Registration Certificate is issued if no opposition is filed or all objections are cleared.
- If Only One Class Is Contested. If your multi-class application is held up because of an objection or opposition in just one class, you can file a divisional application under Section 22 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 to “split” the original application. The unaffected classes can then proceed to registration on their own timeline, while the contested class is dealt with separately. The divisional application carries its own fee equal to a fresh per-class fee.
Ensure to follow all steps mentioned above for the trademark registration process for smooth filing and brand protection.
Multi-Class (Class 99) vs Single-Class Filings — How to Choose
The right strategy depends on how many classes you genuinely need, how confident you are in clearance for each class, and whether your business needs class-specific flexibility later. Here is how the two approaches compare on the points that matter:
| Factor | Multi-Class (Class 99) Filing | Separate Single-Class Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Number of applications | 1 | 1 per class |
| Government fee | Same total (per-class, no discount) | Same total (per-class, no discount) |
| Application number(s) to track | 1 | Multiple |
| Renewal cycle | One date for all classes | Each class on its own date |
| Risk of one objection stalling others | High — objection in any class delays the full application | Low — each class moves independently |
| Escape route if one class fails | Divisional application (Section 22) — adds cost & time | Not needed — other applications proceed normally |
| Best suited for | Established brands with proven multi-category use | Early-stage brands, brands in contested classes (25, 35, 41), risk-conscious filers |
| Suitable for Madrid Protocol international filing | Yes — multi-class is the international standard | Less efficient internationally |
Quick Decision Rule
- File multi-class (Class 99) if you are an established business with active use across 3+ clearly distinct classes, you’ve cleared trademark search in each, and you value tracking simplicity.
- File single-class applications if you are in an early-stage, you have any doubt about clearance in one or more classes, or you operate in commonly contested classes like Class 25 (clothing), Class 35 (retail/advertising), or Class 41 (entertainment/education).
Final Note
Class 99 is essentially a convenience tool for businesses operating across multiple categories. It simplifies paperwork and tracking but offers no fee savings and carries the risk of the entire application stalling if one class faces opposition.
Before you file, conduct a thorough trademark search across each intended class, evaluate the risk of objection, and ideally consult a registered trademark attorney. For most established businesses with diversified offerings, a multi-class filing is the practical choice. For early-stage brands, single-class filings often offer more flexibility.
