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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.
By Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi · 6 September 2026
Trademark Classes (Nice Classification) Explained for Pakistani Businesses 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. --- What is the Nice Classification? The Nice Classification is divided into two broad categories: Classes 1 to 34: Goods (Physical products you manufacture or sell). Classes 35 to 45: Services (Activities you perform for others). 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. --- The Most Common Trademark Classes in Pakistan 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. Top Classes for Goods (1-34) Class 3 (Cosmetics & Cleaning Preparations): Highly popular for beauty startups, skincare brands, soaps, perfumes, and detergents. Class 5 (Pharmaceuticals): Critical for the medical industry. Includes medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and veterinary products. Class 9 (Technology & Software): The most important class for tech startups. It covers mobile apps, downloadable software, computers, hardware, and electronic devices. Class 25 (Clothing & Apparel): The backbone of Pakistan's textile industry. If you sell shirts, shoes, unstitched fabric, or headgear, you must register here. Class 30 (Food & Beverages - Staples): Covers coffee, tea, rice, flour, bread, spices, and confectionery. (Note: Fresh produce is Class 31, and beverages like water/soda are Class 32). Top Classes for Services (35-45) Class 35 (Advertising & Business Management): This is the ultimate "catch-all" class for retail. If you run a physical retail store, a supermarket, an e-commerce platform (like Daraz), or a digital marketing agency, you register here. Class 39 (Transport & Logistics): For ride-hailing apps (like Bykea), courier services, travel agencies, and freight forwarders. Class 41 (Education & Entertainment): Schools, universities, online course creators, YouTube channels, and event management companies. Class 42 (IT & Software Services): Crucial for SaaS (Software as a Service) companies, web developers, and cloud computing providers. Class 43 (Food Services): Restaurants, cafes, catering services, and hotels. If you open a burger joint, the brand name goes in Class 43 (the service of providing food), not Class 30 (the actual food product). --- The Cross-Class Strategy: Protecting the Entire Ecosystem 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. Example 1: The Fashion Brand 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. Example 2: The SaaS Startup 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. Example 3: The Restaurant Chain 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. --- How to Search the Nice Classification The WIPO provides a free, highly detailed database called the "Nice Classification Master List." Before filing your TM-1 in Pakistan, you should: Search the WIPO database for your specific product or service. Note the designated class. Ensure your description of goods/services matches the legal terminology used by WIPO, as the IPO-Pakistan examiners strictly adhere to this nomenclature. Conclusion 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.