Trademark Class 44: Medical, Veterinary & Beauty Services

Healthcare, wellness, veterinary, and agricultural services play a vital role in India’s economy, along with the everyday life of Indian consumers. These sectors continue to grow due to rising awareness, policy support, and changing consumer needs. As competition increases in this sector, brands face higher risks of imitation and misuse. Trademark Class 44 safeguards these service-based brands and preserves legal ownership and trust.

To ensure standardized brand protection, India follows the NICE Classification system for trademark registration. It provides a globally recognized framework for categorizing goods and services. WIPO established the Nice Classification under the Nice Agreement (1957). This system divides goods and services into 45 different classes of trademarks to ensure consistent classification. 

The classification is divided as follows:

• Class 1-34: This category includes goods.
• Class 35-45: This category includes services.

Such a detailed classification ensures alignment of goods and services with the correct class. This helps secure proper legal protection for the trademark.

What is Trademark Class 44 in India?

Trademark Class 44 applies to services like healthcare, veterinary care, agriculture, horticulture, and wellness. The Indian Trade Marks Act, 1999, governs trademark registration in India, and the CGPDTM oversees the process through the Trade Marks Registry. To enhance brand protection, the Trademark Registry applies the Nice Classification system for organizing goods and services. 

This class safeguards the brands of hospitals, clinics, wellness centers, veterinary service providers, and agricultural professionals. Registering under Class 44 of trademark grants exclusive usage rights and helps prevent trademark infringement by similar brand identities.

A well-known example of a Trademark Class 44 service brand in India is Apollo Hospital Group. The institution provides medical and healthcare services that fall under this classification.

Who Should Choose Class 44 Trademark in India?

Any entity that offers healthcare, veterinary, wellness, or agricultural services should file under this class. Below is a brief list of professionals and businesses that should register under Trademark Class 44:

• Hospitals and medical clinics: Providers offering diagnosis, treatment, or preventive healthcare services.
• Doctors and healthcare professionals: Medical practitioners, specialists, and surgeons.
• Diagnostic centers and laboratories: Facilities conducting medical tests and health screenings.
• Veterinary service providers: Clinics and professionals offering animal healthcare services.
• Wellness and alternative therapy centers: Yoga, physiotherapy, naturopathy, and rehabilitation services.
• Agricultural and horticultural consultants: Experts providing farming, crop care, or agricultural advisory services.
• Nursing and home healthcare services: Providers offering patient care at home or assisted facilities.

Early registration under Class 44 helps these service providers protect their brand identity and prevent copying or misuse.

What are the Services Covered in Trademark Class 44?

The services in class trademark class 44 focus on the healthcare of humans and animals, along with agricultural and horticultural support. The table below highlights the key services included under Trademark Class 44:

Service Type	Description	Examples
Medical services	Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases	Hospitals, clinics, doctors
Diagnostic services	Medical testing and health screening services	Pathology labs, diagnostic centers
Veterinary services	Healthcare and treatment for animals	Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals
Wellness services	Non-medical health and wellness care	Yoga centers, physiotherapy clinics
Alternative medicine	Traditional and holistic healing practices	Ayurveda, homeopathy, and naturopathy centers
Nursing and home care	Medical and supportive care at home	Home nursing services, elder care providers
Agricultural services	Farming, crop care, and agricultural consultancy	Agricultural advisors, farm service providers
Horticulture services	Garden care and plant cultivation services	Landscaping and horticulture firms
Forestry services	Forest management, tree care, and conservation activities	Forest management firms, afforestation service providers

This table outlines the full scope of Trademark Class 44 and helps service providers identify the correct classification. For more streamlined and professional support with trademark registration, contact RegisterKaro. 

What is Not Covered in Trademark Class 44?

Many applicants confuse various goods and services under Class 44 that belong to other classes. Classifying them under the right class helps avoid objections and unnecessary reapplications. The table below highlights services not covered in Trademark Class 44, along with the correct class for each:

Service Type	Examples	Correct Class
Pharmaceutical products	Medicines, vitamins, health supplements	Class 5
Food and beverages	Nutritional drinks, packaged food, and herbal teas	Class 29–33 (depending on type)
Fitness training	Gym, personal training, sports coaching	Class 41
Cosmetic and beauty products	Skincare creams, lotions, oils	Class 3
Educational services	Medical or veterinary courses, online learning	Class 41
Insurance services	Health or life insurance	Class 36
Medical devices	Surgical instruments, diagnostic machines	Class 10

Tip: Use RegisterKaro’s free Trademark Class Search Tool to identify the right class for your services. 

How to Register a Class 44 Trademark in India?

Registering a trademark under class 44 involves a detailed process. Following the correct process reduces rejection risk and also saves time and cost.

Step 1: Pre-Registration Steps

Conduct a thorough search in class 44 using the IP India Portal (ipindiaonline.gov.in) or the RegisterKaro Trademark Search tool for secured identification.

• Draft Service Specifications: Clearly define your services, e.g., healthcare, veterinary, and agricultural services. Avoid using vague terms.

Step 2: File the Application

Submit Form TM-A online via the IP India Trademark Portal (ipindiaonline.gov.in).

Fees (Approximate):

• Individuals, startups, and MSMEs: Rs. 4,500 per class
• Companies and other entities: Rs. 9,000 per class

Single-class vs. Multi-class Applications:

• Single-class: Lists only services under Class 45.
• Multi-class: Includes additional classes if your business provides services across multiple sectors.

Timeline: Application filing is immediate, and an application number is issued right after submission.

Step 3:  Examination & Publication

The Trademark Office evaluates your application for correct classification, originality, and potential conflicts with existing trademarks. If any issues are found, an Examination Report is issued. 

• Responding to Objections: If a Trademark Objection is raised and an Examination Report is issued, you must reply within 30 days.
• Journal Publication: Once cleared by Registry, your mark is published in the Trademark Journal for a period of 4 months.  During this period, any third party can file a Trademark opposition.  

Timeline: Examination usually takes 6-12 months, depending on backlog;  publication takes 4 months.

Step 4: Post-Registration

A registered trademark under Class 44 remains valid for 10 years from the registration date. Businesses need to renew the trademark every 10 years. 

• Infringement Monitoring: Regularly check for unauthorized use of your mark and take legal action if needed.

A proper approach simplifies Class 44 trademark registration in India. RegisterKaro helps businesses secure their brand with expert guidance and complete legal protection. Fill the form now!

Documents Required for Class 44 Trademark Registration

To successfully register a trademark under Class 44 in India, applicants must provide a complete set of documents. The key requirements include:

• Trademark Application Form (TM-A): File Form TM-A with accurate details, including the trademark, applicant name, service description under Class 44, and jurisdiction.
• Trademark Representation: Provide a clear image of the trademark. For wordmarks, ensure the name appears exactly as intended for registration.
• Applicant Identity Proof: Individuals should submit PAN, Aadhaar, or a passport.
• Applicant Address Proof: Submit official documents showing the business or residential address, such as utility bills or bank statements.
• Business Proof (if applicable): Entities must submit documents such as a Certificate of Incorporation (CoI), LLP Agreement, or MSME registration, etc, to confirm business existence.
• Power of Attorney (Form TM-48): If a trademark attorney or authorized agent applies, submit Form TM-48 to grant representation authority.
• User Affidavit (if already in use): Applicants claiming prior use must provide a user affidavit. It should state the date of first use along with supporting evidence, such as invoices, contracts, or website records.
• Proof of Service Activity: Include documents like service agreements, brochures, or client records. This is important to demonstrate the healthcare, veterinary, wellness, or agricultural services offered.

This ensures proper filing, strengthens the application, and helps secure legal protection under Class 44.

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