Trademark Classes · Class 45
Trademark Class 45: Legal; Personal; Social Services
Class 45 covers legal services, security services, and personal and social services. Here is what it includes, what it excludes, and how to word it.
What is Trademark Class 45?
Class 45 is a services class covering legal services, security services for the protection of property and people, and personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals. It includes legal and litigation services, IP services, security and investigation, and personal and social services.
The theme is legal, security, and personal services. It is where law firms, security providers, and personal-service businesses sit. Note that business consultancy is Class 35, and financial services are Class 36; Class 45 is specifically legal, security, and personal. This page is part of our full guide to all 45 trademark classes, and to how protection works across jurisdictions in our overview of trademark law and protection.
Is Class 45 actually your class?
Work out whether your product or service genuinely sits in Class 45 before you file, because a wrong class protects the wrong thing.
Class 45 is likely your class if you provide legal, security, or personal services
Law firms and legal-service providers, IP and trademark practices, security and investigation businesses, and personal and social service providers such as dating, funeral, or concierge services. If your service is legal, security, or personal in nature, Class 45 is very likely your class. Our trademark class search helps you check which classes fit before you file.
What Class 45 does NOT cover.
The most common Class 45 mistakes come from classifying by the wrong feature. These closely related items sit elsewhere:
Business consultancy is Class 35
General business and management consultancy is Class 35. Class 45 is legal, security, and personal services.
Financial services are Class 36
Financial and insurance services are Class 36, not Class 45.
Examples of properly-worded Class 45 goods and services.
The Registry expects specific, standardised descriptions, not vague terms. Here are examples of clear, acceptable Class 45 wording:
| Instead of (vague) | Use (standardised) |
|---|---|
| “Legal” | “Legal services” · “Legal advisory services” |
| “Security” | “Security services for the protection of property and individuals” |
| “Personal services” | “Personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals” |
Each entry is specific and standardised. These are illustrative examples of acceptable phrasing, not legal advice for your filing; your exact wording should be drawn from the current NICE Classification and tailored to what your business actually does. Wording is a common cause of objections whether you file in India, the United States, Argentina, or elsewhere. For filing across several countries at once, see our global registration guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does trademark Class 45 cover?
Class 45 covers legal services, security services for the protection of property and people, and personal and social services rendered to meet individuals’ needs. It includes legal and litigation services, IP and trademark services, security and investigation, and personal and social services such as dating, funeral, and concierge services. Business consultancy is Class 35, and financial services are Class 36.
Who should register a trademark in Class 45?
Law firms and legal-service providers, IP and trademark practices, security and investigation businesses, and personal and social service providers. If your service is legal, security, or personal in nature, Class 45 is likely your class.
Are legal services in Class 45?
Yes. Legal services, including legal advice, litigation, and intellectual-property services such as trademark and patent work, are classified in Class 45. This is the class in which law firms and legal-service providers typically register their brands.
What is the difference between Class 35 and Class 45?
Class 35 covers general business services such as advertising, business management, and administration. Class 45 covers legal, security, and personal services. So business consultancy is Class 35, but legal advice is Class 45. The two are sometimes confused because both are professional services, but their subject matter is distinct.
How should I word my Class 45 services?
Use specific, standardised terms such as legal services, security services for the protection of property and individuals, or the specific personal service you provide, rather than vague descriptions. Draw wording from the current NICE Classification and tailor it to your services to reduce objection risk.
File Class 45 in the right country, worded right.
Whether you are protecting your brand in one market or several, we identify the classes you need and handle registration worldwide, worded to avoid an avoidable objection.
