Trademark Class 43 in India: Hotels, Restaurants & Accommodation Services

“A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is; it is what consumers tell each other it is.”: Scott Cook. In India’s bustling hospitality scene, this truth decides who succeeds and who fades away. You can serve great food and design inviting spaces, but your brand shapes how people remember you. That’s why protecting your identity under Trademark Class 43, which covers restaurant and hospitality services, is essential. In a crowded market of cafes and boutique hotels, safeguarding your brand ensures that your business stands out for the right reasons.

Protecting your brand does more than prevent imitation; it builds trust. When customers recognize your name, logo, or identity, they feel secure in choosing your business. It also sets you apart from competitors and strengthens your presence in a crowded market. Consider famous brands like Domino’s Pizza and Taj Hotels. Their names and logos are instantly recognizable, and customers associate them with quality, reliability, and a consistent experience.

In the competitive hospitality sector, Trademark Class 43 gives you the power to stand out, stay safe, and scale without fear. This blog covers everything you need to understand Trademark Class 43 and protect your hospitality brand with confidence.

What is Trademark Class 43? Definition and What’s Included

Trademark Class 43 protects services in the hospitality sector, including businesses that provide food, beverages, and temporary accommodation. Unlike product trademarks, it safeguards the service experience and the reputation you build with customers.

This class falls under the Nice Classification, an international system managed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The system categorizes goods and services into specific categories to ensure trademark registration in India is consistent worldwide. It also protects different types of trademarks, ensuring that your hospitality services remain clearly defined and legally secure. 

Registering your brand under Trademark Class 43 for restaurant and hospitality services in India gives your business several advantages:

• Provides legal rights to take action against infringers.
• Secures your brand identity for hospitality services.
• Prevents competitors from using similar names, logos, or branding.
• Supports expansion to new locations or service offerings.
• Protects your reputation in a competitive market.
• Aligns your registration with international standards via WIPO.
• Builds customer trust and signals professionalism.
• Creates a long-term asset that can be franchised, licensed, or sold.

For restaurants, cafes, cloud kitchens, hotels, and catering services, the hospitality services trademark provides legal certainty and professional credibility. It ensures your brand remains unique, recognizable, and defensible as you grow.

Services Covered Under Trademark Class 43

Trademark Class 43 protects a wide range of services in the hospitality sector. Unlike product trademarks, Class 43 safeguards the service experience and reputation your business delivers.

Key services covered under Class 43 include:

• Restaurants and cafes: Dine-in, takeaway, and casual dining services.
• Hotels and resorts: Accommodation, guest services, and hospitality management.
• Cloud kitchens and delivery-only services: Virtual restaurants and food delivery operations.
• Catering services: Event catering, corporate catering, and special occasion catering.
• Bars, lounges, and pubs: Beverage services, including food and drinks.
• Temporary lodging: Guest houses, homestays, hostels, boutique accommodations, and serviced apartments.
• Event venue rentals: Banquet halls, wedding venues, and conference facilities.
• Food service consultancy: Restaurant management, menu planning, and hospitality advisory services.
• Hospitality support services: Renting cooking or dining equipment, providing meal plans for institutions or corporate clients.
• Mobile or pop-up food services: Food trucks, pop-up cafes, and temporary dining experiences.
• Membership-based services: Clubs or lounges offering food, beverages, or lodging to members.
• Resort and wellness hospitality services: Wellness retreats or resort services that include accommodation.
• Guest meal provision: Providing breakfast, lunch, or other meals as part of accommodation services.
• Guest service management: Concierge services, front desk management, and customer service within lodging.
• Hospitality training services: Staff training in hotel management, restaurant operations, or culinary skills.
• Meal delivery subscriptions (linked to hospitality services): Subscription-based meals delivered to homes or offices.
• Corporate hospitality services: Arranging accommodation, meals, and event hosting for corporate clients.

Registering under Class 43 protects your legal rights over these services. It prevents others from using a similar name, logo, or brand in the same category. This ensures that your hospitality services and the reputation you build around them remain uniquely yours.

What is Not Covered Under Trademark Class 43?

While Trademark Class 43 protects hospitality services, it does not cover certain products, goods, or services. Knowing what falls outside this class helps avoid mistakes during registration and ensures proper legal protection.

Key services and items not covered under trademark for restaurant business include:

• Packaged food and beverages: Pre-packaged snacks, bottled drinks, or packaged meals. (Class 29, 30, 32)
• Alcoholic beverages: Wine, beer, spirits, and liquors are sold as products. (Class 33)
• Cookware and kitchen tools: Utensils, appliances, and cooking equipment sold as goods. (Class 21)
• Travel and transport services: Booking, taxi, or travel agency services. (Class 39)
• Medical, spa, and wellness services: Clinics, spas, and wellness centers not linked to accommodation. (Class 44)
• Event planning or management services: Organizing events without providing catering or hospitality. (Class 35)
• Security and personal services: Private security, concierge, or personal assistance. (Class 45)

Filing under the correct class ensures smooth registration and full protection for your brand. If your business overlaps with excluded services, you may need to register under the different trademark classes to cover all aspects of your operations. 

For example, Starbucks not only runs cafes (Class 43) but also sells packaged coffee and beverages (Class 30/32). Hence, it registers under multiple trademark classes to cover all operations.

How to Register Under Trademark Class 43 in India?

Registering under Trademark Class 43 protects your hotel, restaurant, cafe, or cloud-kitchen brand and gives you exclusive rights over your name, logo, and identity in the hospitality sector. Here’s a clear breakdown of the registration process:

Step 1: Choose a Unique Brand Name and Logo

• Pick a name that is distinctive, memorable, and easy to pronounce.
• Avoid generic terms like “Hotel Delhi” or “City Restaurant” without unique identifiers.
• Design a logo that clearly represents your brand and stands out from competitors.
• Ensure your brand identity reflects the services you offer, whether cafes, hotels, or cloud kitchens.

Estimated timeline: 1–2 weeks

Step 2: Conduct a Class-Specific Trademark Search

Check whether similar hospitality brands already exist in Class 43 using the Indian Trademark Registry database. Look for:

• Identical or confusingly similar names
• Similar-looking logos
• Hospitality service overlap

A strong search helps prevent objections, oppositions, and legal disputes later.

Tip: Use RegisterKaro’s free trademark search tool to check if your desired name or logo is available.

Estimated timeline: 1 week

Step 3: Prepare and Submit Your Application

• File your application through the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) portal.
• Include all necessary details:
  • Applicant name and address
  • Trademark representation (name, logo, or combination)
  • Clear description of Class 43 services (e.g., hotel accommodation, restaurant services, catering, cafés, etc.)
  • Applicable filing fees
• Double-check all documents required for trademark registration for accuracy before submission.

Estimated timeline: 1–2 weeks

Step 4: Respond to Trademark Examination

• The trademark office reviews your application for conflicts or inconsistencies.
• Trademark Officers may raise objections if there is a similar registered trademark or if the application is incomplete.
• You must respond to any queries or objections within the given 1–3 months timeline.

Estimated timeline: 1–3 months (for office examination and response)

Step 5: Monitor Publication and Opposition

• If the application passes examination, the CGPDTM publishes it in the Trademark Journal.
• Third parties have four months to oppose the registration if they feel it conflicts with their trademark.
• If no opposition is filed, or if trademark opposition is resolved in your favor, the application moves to registration.

Estimated timeline: 4–6 months

Step 6: Receive Your Trademark Certificate

• Once approved, the trademark is officially registered.
• You receive a registration certificate, giving you exclusive rights over your services in Class 43.
• The certificate is proof of legal ownership and can be used in enforcement actions against imitators.

Estimated timeline: 1–2 months after the opposition period

Step 7: Renew Your Trademark on Time

• Trademark registration under Class 43 is valid for 10 years.
• You can renew a trademark indefinitely in 10-year increments. If you file it within 6 months after expiry, surcharges apply. Moreover, the restoration fee is applicable if the trademark is renewed after six months but within a year.
• Timely renewal ensures continuous protection and avoids lapses that may allow competitors to register similar trademarks.

Estimated timeline: File within six months before expiration

Best Practices to Adopt:

• Conduct thorough trademark searches before applying.
• Keep a clear record of your filings, responses, and certificates.
• Consider registering related trademarks in other relevant classes if your business also sells products (e.g., packaged food or beverages).
• Consult a trademark attorney for complex cases or potential conflicts.
• Monitor your trademark regularly to detect and prevent infringement.

The cost for registering a Class 43 trademark in India is around ₹4,500 for individuals or startups and ₹9,000 for companies per class, excluding professional service fees.

Ready to Protect Your Hospitality Brand? RegisterKaro helps hotels, cafes, cloud kitchens, and restaurants secure trademarks under Trademark Class 43 — from search to registration and renewals, end-to-end.

Start your Class 43 trademark registration with RegisterKaro today and secure your trademark for hotels with ease. Contact us today!

Trademark Classes Similar to Class 43

Many hospitality business owners assume that Class 43 alone will protect their entire operation. In reality, services and products related to your restaurant, café, or hotel may fall under other trademark classes. Understanding the differences prevents confusion and ensures comprehensive protection.

Trademark Class	Services/Products Covered	Comparison with Class 43
Class 30	Packaged food, coffee, tea, spices, and bakery items	Covers food products for sale, not food service. Use alongside Class 43 if selling packaged items.
Class 32	Non-alcoholic beverages like soft drinks, juices, and mineral water	Protects drink products, while Class 43 covers drinks served in a restaurant, café, or bar.
Class 33	Alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, spirits	Covers the sale of alcohol as a product; Class 43 covers bars and lounges serving these beverages.
Class 35	Business management, event organization, marketing, and consultancy	Class 43 covers catering and hospitality services; Trademark Class 35 protects event planning or business services related to hospitality.
Class 44	Medical, wellness, spa, and health services	Class 43 covers lodging with meals or general hospitality; Class 44 covers wellness and medical services.
Class 21	Kitchenware, utensils, and dining equipment	Class 43 protects service delivery; Class 21 protects the sale of physical goods used in hospitality.
Class 39	Travel, transport, delivery, and logistics services	Delivery of food via cloud kitchens overlaps with Class 43; other transport services fall under Class 39.

Tip: If your business spans multiple areas (e.g., restaurant + packaged foods + alcohol), consider filing under all relevant classes to secure comprehensive protection.

Common Filing Mistakes for Class 43 and How to Avoid Them

Filing a trademark under Class 43 may seem straightforward, but many hospitality businesses face delays or weak protection due to common errors. Here’s how to avoid them:

• Using vague or generic descriptions: Filing with broad terms like “food services” or “hotel services” can lead to objections. Specify exactly what your business offers, including restaurants, cafes, bars, cloud kitchens, catering, or temporary accommodation. Include all relevant services.
• Ignoring trademark searches: Skipping a search may result in conflicts with existing trademarks. Conduct thorough searches in the Indian Trademark Registry and international databases like WIPO to ensure your brand is unique.
• Overlooking future business expansion: Listing only current services may require multiple applications later. Include both current and planned services, such as catering, delivery, or event hosting, in your specifications.
• Filing under the wrong class: Confusing Class 43 with other classes like Class 30 (packaged food) or Class 33 (alcoholic beverages) can invalidate protection. Understand which services fall under Class 43 and register other products or services in their respective classes.
• Submitting incomplete or incorrect documentation: Missing details, errors, or unclear logo representations can delay approval. Double-check all forms, documents, and images before submission.
• Ignoring professional guidance: Attempting registration without expertise may lead to rejection. Consult a trademark attorney or a service like RegisterKaro to ensure smooth filing and strong protection.

By following these tips, you can speed up your registration, secure stronger protection, and reduce the risk of legal conflicts.

How RegisterKaro Helps You

RegisterKaro simplifies the entire process of trademark registration for hotels and hospitality brands. We conduct detailed trademark searches, help prepare accurate applications, and guide you in correctly filing under Trademark Class 43 for restaurant and hospitality services. With expert support, you reduce errors, avoid delays, and secure your hospitality brand confidently.

Start your hospitality trademark registration with RegisterKaro today and protect your business effortlessly.

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