fbpx

Multiclass Trademark Registration Application: When And Why You Need It

trademark application

Share This Post

When you want to register your trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for products or services in more than one class, it is possible to do so via a single application. You have to file it using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

The USPTO permits trademark registration applicants to include various goods and/or services spanning multiple classes on a single trademark application submission. These goods and/or services can be in any of the 45 classes that the USPTO recognizes. When submitting a single application for trademark registration that covers many classes, there are benefits as well as drawbacks to consider.

Advantages of Multiclass Trademark Registration

It is important to keep in mind that one doesn’t attain categorical and exclusive rights over the entire class of goods or services with trademark registration. Rather, a person’s right to a trademark is restricted to the specified goods and services under the banner of the trademark.

When filing a trademark application, it is essential to strike a balance between the competing interests of covering all goods and services that are required to incorporate in relation to the brand while avoiding spending an excessive amount of money on government fees for classes of goods and services that may not actualize.

Convenience

Sometimes, it’s more convenient to submit a single application covering many classes.
The data for the applicant, the mark, and the correspondent only has to be entered once in a single application. As an added bonus, you just have to keep track of one overseas filing deadline.

Saving trademark registration costs

It may be more cost-effective in the long run to file a multiclass application. While the USPTO does allow for several classes of goods and services to be filed at the time of the first application filing, an applicant is not allowed to add additional classes to that same application after it has been submitted.

Naturally, you would then have to file a new application all over again. Therefore, it is generally prudent to initially register for all the goods and services currently in use, to avoid the additional legal fees associated with filing separate applications, thus saving on your trademark registration costs.

Greater Protection

If you offer multiple services or products under one trademark, including multiple classes in your federal trademark application will afford your brand more protection. This is especially true when the services and products are not related.

For example, if your business offers consulting services in addition to physical books, applying only for physical books will not allow you as the business owner to prevent others from using the same or similar trademark for consulting services.

Now, it is also important to note that multiclass trademark registration carries certain drawbacks. One of them is the greater risk of cancellation of the trademark, if one of the goods or services included in that application is not in use. Moreover, when it comes to ‘intent-of-use,’ the federal trademark application process can get complex and expensive if any of the classes are not in use at the time the application is filed.

To decide whether you want to file a single-class application or a multiclass one, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each to decide what is most beneficial for you. Consult us at Off the Mark IP Solutions, to find out more about how to file a federal trademark application for your brand.

More To Explore

the Best Legal Solutions for Small Business Owners
Business
Off The Mark

The Best Legal Solution for Small Business Owners

 Every business owner will encounter legal issues while in business. These issues include selecting the right business entity, creating contracts to work with third parties, identifying and protecting their intellectual property, and most importantly receiving advice to avoid legal

Read More »

© 2023 Murray Law Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Step Inside the Genius Lounge 

Gain access to our free online community of legal resources, weekly forums and monthly Q&As centered on helping you run your business legally.
Come Right In!

Telephone:
334-523-0022

Address:
3966 Atlanta Hwy #221
Montgomery, AL 36109

Office Hours:

M-Th 8 AM- 5 PM CST
Fri 8 AM-2 PM CST

This website may constitute attorney advertising under the laws of some states. The Murray Law Group, LLC does not intend its site to constitute attorney advertising but recognizes that it may be so considered in certain jurisdictions.  To clarify the purpose of the website and  intent as to its visitors, Murray Law Group, LLC states that visiting the website and interacting with the materials provided thereon does not establish an attorney-client relationship, which is only formed when you have signed an engagement agreement and complied with the terms thereof. Materials and information provided on the website are not indicative of likely results in any particular matter.  Murray Law Group, LLC cannot guarantee results; past results do not guarantee future results.

Ready to discuss your legal needs?