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FY 2026-27
Practical explanation of Nice Classification for trademarks in Pakistan. How to choose between Goods (Classes 1–34) and Services (Classes 35–45) to protect your
By Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi · 6 September 2026
Author Note / Last Updated: Updated September 2026 by Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi | Advocate High Court | Professional Tax Consultant
When you apply to register a trademark in Pakistan, you cannot simply claim ownership of a word or logo for every conceivable product in existence. You must register your brand for the specific goods or services that your business actually provides.
To organize this globally, the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) uses the Nice Classification—an international system established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that categorizes all products and services into 45 distinct classes.
Understanding this classification system is critical. Filing in the wrong class renders your trademark useless, while failing to file in enough classes leaves your brand vulnerable to copycats.
The Nice Classification is divided into two broad categories:
When you submit Form TM-1 to the IPO in Pakistan, you must specify the exact class number. If your business operates across multiple classes, you must file multiple, separate applications and pay separate government fees for each class.
While there are 45 classes, certain industries dominate the registry in Pakistan. Here is a breakdown of the most frequently used classes for local startups, exporters, and service providers.
A common mistake made by new founders in Pakistan is registering in only one class when their business model inherently spans several. To fully protect a modern business, you often need a multi-class strategy.
If you launch a clothing brand called "ZARA", you must protect the physical shirts you make (Class 25). However, if you also operate your own physical retail boutiques and an e-commerce website to sell those clothes, you are providing a retail service, meaning you should also register in Class 35.
You develop a cloud-based CRM software. You need to register the downloadable mobile app version of your CRM in Class 9. But because you also provide cloud-hosting and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), you must register in Class 42. If you don't register in Class 42, a competitor could potentially use your name to offer IT consulting services.
You open a fast-food restaurant (Class 43). Later, your signature sauces become so popular that you decide to bottle them and sell them in supermarkets. The restaurant trademark does not cover the bottled sauce. You must file a new application in Class 30 (sauces/condiments) to protect the physical retail product.
The WIPO provides a free, highly detailed database called the "Nice Classification Master List." Before filing your TM-1 in Pakistan, you should:
The Nice Classification system prevents monopolies while allowing diverse businesses to coexist. (For example, "Dove" is a registered trademark for soap in Class 3, and simultaneously a registered trademark for chocolate in Class 30, owned by completely different companies).
When budgeting for IP protection in Pakistan, calculate your government filing fees based on the number of classes your business currently operates in, and the classes you intend to expand into within the next 3 to 5 years.
Disclaimer: Trademark classification can be legally complex, particularly for modern tech and hybrid business models. This guide provides a general overview based on 2026 IPO-Pakistan standards. Consult a registered IP attorney for a tailored classification strategy.
Legal & Statutory Notice: The information provided in this publication is for general educational, academic, and statutory informational purposes only under the relevant laws of Pakistan (including the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Companies Act, 2017, and the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001). This content does not constitute formal legal, financial, or tax advice. For specific assessments, consult a licensed Advocate or qualified tax professional.
