The Trademarks Act, 1999 has in place Schedule IV enlisting the classes under which various goods and services may be applied for trademark registration. The Schedule is in line with the mandate Nice Classification, an international system followed to classify goods and services.

Schedule IV under the Act has now been amended to bring the same in conformity with the Ninth Edition of the Nice Classification. Through a notification in the Gazette of India dated May 20, 2010, the numbers of classes under the Schedule have been increased from 42 to 45. Class 42 earlier covering “Other services” has been replaced to include the following:

42. Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis and research services; design and development of computer hardware and software.


43. Services for providing food and drink; temporary accommodation.


44. Medical services, veterinary services, hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; agriculture, horticulture and forestry services.


45. Legal services; security services for the protection of property and individuals; personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals.

The result of this change is that the same has brought a place for more specific services, which originally found a place amongst those covered under the erstwhile Class 42.