Trademark Class 35: Advertising, Business Management and Retail
Class 35 of the Nice Classification covers advertising, business management, business administration and office functions. It also covers retail and online selling services, so shops, e-commerce sellers, agencies and consultants in India usually need it.
What class 35 covers
The official class heading reads: “Advertising; business management, organization and administration; office functions.” The explanatory note says it covers services for running a commercial or industrial business, plus advertising, marketing and promotion.
It expressly includes bringing together a variety of goods for the benefit of others through shops, vending, mail order or electronic media, so retail and online store services sit here. That is why most shops need it. Advertising, PR, SEO for sales promotion, recruitment, accounting and auditing are also listed. India follows the current Nice edition, NCL 13-2026, in force since 1 January 2026.
Common services in class 35
Marketing services
- Advertising and ad agencies
- Digital and social media marketing
- Public relations
- SEO for sales promotion
Retail and trade
- Retail store services
- Online store and marketplace selling
- Wholesale services
- Import-export agency
Business support
- Accounting and book-keeping
- Business and financial auditing
- Recruitment and staffing
- Office and admin services
What is not in class 35
Several business services sit in other classes:
| Item | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Financial services, real estate management, stock broking | Class 36 |
| Transport logistics | Class 39 |
| Graphic design and energy auditing | Class 42 |
| Legal services and IP licensing | Class 45 |
| The products you sell | Goods classes 1–34 |
Here is the catch: a Faridabad garment shop that registers only in class 35 protects its shop name, not the private-label shirts on its shelves. Those need Class 25.
Who usually files in class 35
Retailers and online sellers
Shops, franchise chains and e-commerce sellers protecting the store name under which they sell many brands.
Agencies and consultants
Advertising, digital marketing, PR, recruitment and management consulting firms.
Accounting and admin firms
Book-keeping, payroll, back-office and auditing service providers.
Tips before filing
Add a goods class for your own products
Class 35 protects the selling service, not the product. If you also sell goods under your own label, file in the matching goods class as well.
Describe the retail service precisely
Write “retail store services featuring clothing and footwear” instead of only “retail services”. The Registry prefers a specification that says what you sell.
Search the names your customers say
Search the IP India register first in class 35 and in the goods classes you deal in, by word and by sound.
Claim your date of first use
If you already trade under the name, claim the date of first use and keep invoices and ads as proof. That helps when we start filing the trademark application.
Frequently asked questions
Does class 35 protect my products?
No. Class 35 protects services such as retail selling, advertising and business administration. Your own branded products need the goods class that fits them, from Class 1 to Class 34. A clothing brand with its own stores, for example, usually files in Class 25 for the clothes and class 35 for the retail service. One Form TM-A can cover both classes, with the fee charged per class.
Can one application cover class 35 and class 25 together?
Yes. Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 allows a single application for several classes, but the government fee is charged for each class. So a brand filed in class 35 and class 25 pays two class fees on one Form TM-A. We will tell you which classes are worth the fee before we file.
Is an e-commerce store covered by class 35?
Yes. The class 35 explanatory note covers bringing together a variety of goods for others through electronic media, which includes online stores and marketplace selling. The software or app itself is a separate matter, usually Class 9 or Class 42. So a seller running its own website or a storefront on a marketplace files the store name in class 35.
How long does a class 35 registration last?
A registered trademark lasts ten years and can be renewed every ten years after that without limit. Under Section 23(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 the registration counts from the date of application, and Section 25(1) sets the ten-year term. You can renew on Form TM-R up to one year before expiry, and even a missed renewal can be saved within the grace period, so the brand stays yours as long as you keep it alive.
What is the government fee for a class 35 trademark?
The government fee on Form TM-A is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 per class for others. Paper filing costs ₹5,000 and ₹10,000 respectively, so online filing is the cheaper route. Each extra class you add is charged at the same rate. Our professional fee is quoted separately before you commit, so you know the full cost before we start.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
The government fee on Form TM-A is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 per class for everyone else. Paper filing costs more (₹5,000 and ₹10,000). We file online.
Ready to begin?
Send us your business name and what you sell, and we will check class 35 and the goods classes that go with it.