Trademarks
Nice classes explained simply
A Trademark is never protected "for everything". It is protected for specific goods and services, grouped into the classes of the Nice Classification. Choosing them well means deciding the real scope of its protection.
Updated on 2 October 2026
What Nice classes are for
The Nice Classification is an international classification of goods and services, established by the Nice Agreement in 1957 and administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Trademark offices, including INPI and EUIPO, use it to register Trademarks.
It has 45 classes: 34 for goods and 11 for services. The edition in force since 1 January 2026 is NCL 13-2026.
Why the choice of classes is decisive
A Trademark is protected for the goods and services designated at filing. Two consequences:
- the same Name can be used by two businesses in very different sectors, if there is no likelihood of confusion between their goods or services (except for a well-known Trademark);
- a Trademark must actually be used: article L714-5 of the French Intellectual Property Code provides for the revocation of an owner who has not made genuine use of it, for the goods or services concerned, for an uninterrupted period of five years.
Some commonly used classes
| Class | Content (summary) |
|---|---|
| 3 | Cosmetics, toiletries, perfumery |
| 9 | Software, apps, electronic devices |
| 16 | Stationery, printed matter |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear, headwear |
| 29 and 30 | Food products |
| 35 | Advertising, business management, retail |
| 36 | Insurance, finance, real estate |
| 41 | Education, training, entertainment |
| 42 | Scientific and technological services, software design, SaaS |
| 43 | Food and drink services, temporary accommodation |
This table summarises the class headings. The exact content of each class can be checked in WIPO's official classification or in the tool of the office where you file.
How to choose your classes
- Start from what you sell: goods made or resold, services provided.
- Think about the natural extension of the business over the coming years, without aiming wide on principle.
- Check similar Trademarks in these classes: that is where the likelihood of confusion is assessed.
- Write precise descriptions: the list of goods and services matters as much as the class number.
Key takeaway: at INPI, one class is included in the €190 filing fee, and each additional class costs €40. After filing, you can no longer add goods or services: anything left out requires a new filing.
Frequently asked questions
How many Nice classes are there?
45: 34 classes of goods (classes 1 to 34) and 11 classes of services (classes 35 to 45). The current edition is the 13th (NCL 13-2026), in force since 1 January 2026.
How much does an additional class cost at INPI?
The filing includes one class for €190; each additional class costs €40 (fee schedule as of 2 July 2026).
Can you add a class after filing?
No. According to INPI, after filing it is no longer possible to add goods or services: if something was left out, a new filing is required.
Should you file in every class to be well protected?
No, and it is actually risky: a Trademark that is not genuinely used for 5 years for certain goods or services can be revoked for those. It is better to target your actual business and its reasonable extension.
Official sources
General information up to date as of 2 October 2026, checked against the official sites cited. Fees and procedures may change: refer to the sources. This guide does not constitute legal advice.