Trademark Class 45 in India: Legal and Security Services

India has a vast service-driven market in which legal, personal, and security services are among the most prominent ones. These services rely heavily on their credibility and the public’s trust. To safeguard this trust and prevent brand misuse, trademark law classifies these services under Trademark Class 45. 

To ensure systematic protection, trademarks are classified based on an internationally recognized system called NICE. NICE classification was established by the NICE agreement (1957), administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This classification divides goods and services into 45 different classes of trademark:

• Class 1-34: Classify Goods
• Class 35-45: Includes classification of Services

This structured classification helps secure international legal protection when trademarks are registered correctly. 

What is Trademark Class 45?

Under the Indian Trade Marks Act, 1999, the CGPDTM administers trademark registration in India through the Trade Marks Registry. This authority follows the Nice Classification system to categorize goods and services for trademark protection. Trademark Class 45 under the Nice Classification covers services related to legal affairs, security, and personal or social assistance. This trademark class for security services protects businesses such as law firms, security service providers, and organizations.

Trademark Registration under this class grants exclusive rights to the brand and prevents its unauthorized use by competitors. It also provides legal protection against trademark infringement.

A popular example of a Trademark Class 45 registered brand in India is Securitas. It operates in the security services sector, providing manned guarding, surveillance, and risk management solutions. These activities fall under Class 45 of the Nice Classification.

Who Should Choose Class 45 for Trademark Filing?

Any entity that provides legal, security, or personal and social services should apply under this class. Below is a brief list of professionals who should register under trademark class 45:

1. Law firms and legal consultants: Firms offering legal advice, representation, or documentation services.
2. Security service providers: Companies providing personal, property, or digital security solutions.
3. Personal and social service providers: Organizations offering personal assistance, social support, or advisory services.
4. Intellectual property and licensing services: Professionals handling IP registration, licensing, or related legal support.
5. Online legal and compliance platforms: Platforms providing digital legal, compliance, or dispute resolution services.
6. Private investigation services: Agencies conducting background checks, surveillance, or investigative services.
7. Dispute resolution services: Professionals facilitating negotiation, arbitration, or conflict resolution.

Early registration by these service providers will ensure their brand protection against infringement and misuse. 

What are the Services Covered in Trademark Class 45?

Trademark Class 45 is designed to categorize services that are primarily legal, security, or personal and social. The table below outlines the key services included in Class 45:

Service Type	Description	Examples
Legal Services	Services offering legal advice, representation, and documentation for individuals and businesses.	Law firms, legal consultants, litigation services, legal documentation
Security Services	Services that protect individuals, property, or digital assets, including risk assessment and safety planning.	Personal security, property security, cybersecurity services, security consultancy
Personal and Social Services	Services that provide personal help, social support, or lifestyle management to individuals or communities.	Personal assistance, lifestyle management, social support services, and elder care
Intellectual Property & Licensing	Services related to protecting, registering, and licensing intellectual property and handling IP compliance.	IP registration, licensing, and copyright consultancy
Online Legal & Compliance Platforms	Online services facilitating legal, compliance, and regulatory assistance for individuals and businesses.	Digital legal advisory, online dispute resolution, compliance platforms
Private Investigation	Services conducting investigations for individuals or businesses, including verification and security checks.	Background checks, surveillance, investigative services
Mediation & Dispute Resolution	Services that help parties resolve disputes through mediation or arbitration outside formal court systems.	Arbitration, negotiation, and conflict resolution services
Security Consultancy	Professional advisory services for organizations or individuals to improve safety and security measures.	Risk assessment, security audits, safety planning
Personal Services	Services providing personalized support to manage day-to-day tasks or specialized personal needs.	Lifestyle management, personal errands, specialized assistance

If you’re still unsure about classifying your service, contact RegisterKaro for a seamless trademark registration experience.

What is Not Covered in Trademark Class 45?

Many applicants mistakenly include services that do not belong to Class 45. Understanding these exclusions helps avoid objections and costly refiling. The table below highlights services not covered in trademark Class 45:

Service Type	Examples	Correct Class
Financial Services	Banking, insurance, loans, and investment advisory services	These fall under Class 36.
Educational Services	Schools, colleges, training institutions, and online courses	Covered under Class 41 for education and training.
Medical Services	Hospitals, clinics, medical practitioners, and telemedicine	Classified under Class 44 for medical and veterinary services.
Hospitality Services	Hotels, restaurants, catering, and travel agencies	Included in Class 43 for food and accommodation services.
Retail & E-commerce	Online stores, shops, and retail marketplaces	Covered under Class 35 for business and retail services.
Manufacturing & Industrial Services	Production, engineering, and industrial consultancy	Belong to Class 40 or Class 42, depending on the service nature

Choosing the right trademark classes ensures smoother registration. For example, Byju’s offers online and offline education, coaching, and training programs for students. These services focus on learning and skill development, which fall under Class 41 rather than Class 45. 

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

How to Register a Class 45 Trademark in India?

Registering a trademark under Class 45 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 45 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., legal, security, and personal services. Avoid vague terms.

Timeline: 1-2 days for search and specification drafting.

Step 2: Filing the Application

Submit Form TM-A online through the IP India Trademark Portal. 

• Fees (Approximately):
  • Individuals/Startups/MSMEs: Rs. 4,500 per class
  • Companies/Other entities: Rs. 9,000 per class
• Multi-class vs Single-class:
  • Single-class: Only Class 45 services listed.
  • Multi-class: Add other service classes if your business spans multiple areas.

Timeline: Filing is instant; the application number is issued immediately.

Step 3:  Examination & Publication

The Trademark Office reviews classification, uniqueness, and potential conflicts, and issues an examination report if objections arise.

• 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 trademark is valid for 10 years. Businesses need to renew the trademark every 10 years to maintain protection.

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

This structured approach ensures smooth Class 45 trademark registration in India. RegisterKaro actively guides businesses to maintain full compliance at each stage. We assist in securing legal protection and long-term brand safety. Contact us today to get your trademark registered quickly and easily.  

Documents Required for Class 45 Trademark Registration

Applicants must submit a complete set of documents to successfully register a trademark under Class 45 in India. The mandatory set of documents includes: 

1. Trademark Application Form (TM-A): The applicant must file Form TM-A with accurate details. The details must include the trademark, applicant name, service description under Class 45, and jurisdiction.
2. Representation of the Trademark: Applicants must provide a clear image of the trademark. For wordmarks, the name must appear exactly as intended for registration.
3. Applicant Identity Proof: Individuals must submit PAN, Aadhaar, or a passport. 
4. Applicant Address Proof: Applicants must submit utility bills, bank statements, or official documents showing the registered business address.
5. 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.
6. Power of Attorney (Form TM-48): If an authorized agent or trademark attorney applies, the applicant must submit Form TM-48 to authorize representation.
7. User Affidavit (if already in use): Applicants claiming prior use must submit a user affidavit. It should state the date of first use, along with supporting evidence such as invoices, contracts, or website screenshots.
8. Proof of Service Activity: Applicants may submit documents such as service agreements, brochures, or client engagement records. This is to show the nature of their legal, security, or personal services offered.

Submitting accurate and complete documents helps avoid objections and ensures faster processing of Class 45 trademark registration.

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