The short answer
Start by describing the goods and services you intend to offer under your trademark. The Nice Classification organises them into 45 classes. Protection does not automatically cover an entire class; it covers the trademark for the specific offering claimed.
Start with what you offer, not a number
The list of goods and services is part of your trademark application. For a Swiss application it must be submitted in German, French or Italian. Classes help organise the terms. Their numbers do not replace a precise description of the scope of protection.
First write down in everyday language what customers receive from you. Distinguish, for example, the goods you sell, serving customers on the premises and a course you offer. Appropriate terms and classes are chosen afterwards. Whether a sales channel involves additional services depends on the particular business model.
The 2026 Nice list includes, for example, 'coffee' in class 30, 'café services' in class 43 and 'arranging and conducting of workshops [training]' in class 41. Your Swiss application requires suitable wording in one of the official languages mentioned above.
Sources: IPI: List of goods and services · WIPO: Nice Classification 2026, class 30, coffee (300026) · WIPO: Nice Classification 2026, class 43, café services (430024) · WIPO: Nice Classification 2026, class 41, training workshops (410076)
Do not copy class headings without checking them
A class heading does not necessarily cover every conceivable product within that class. The IPI recommends describing goods and services as precisely as possible. Its classification tool helps you find terms and assign them to the correct class.
Another trademark's existing list can provide a starting point. Still, check each entry against your own offering. A long list containing unrelated business areas is not automatically better. Keep an understandable version that your team can later compare with new products.
Sources: IPI: List of goods and services
Describe planned growth now
Once registration is complete, the list cannot simply be extended to additional goods or services. Concrete plans for new offerings should therefore be discussed before filing. Later expansion may require another application.
Answer three practical questions for each plan: What exactly will you sell, under which sign, and how concrete are your launch plans? These details help you make a suitable selection. Checking earlier trademarks is still a separate requirement. Different class numbers do not automatically rule out conflicts between similar goods or services.
Sources: IPI: List of goods and services
What you can do now
- List current products and concrete plans for new offerings separately.
- Check appropriate goods and services terms against your business model.
- Before filing, make sure the list includes every important offering.
Frequently asked questions
Does a class automatically protect me for everything in it?
No. The goods and services claimed are decisive. Even a class heading does not necessarily cover every individual product or service assigned to that class.
Sources: IPI: List of goods and services
Can I add new products later?
The registered list cannot be extended. First check whether its existing wording already covers the new offering. Otherwise, consider an additional application.
Sources: IPI: List of goods and services