Training Trademark: Which Classes to Choose?
Classes 41, 35, 9 and 16: how to structure a trademark filing in the professional training or education sector.
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Training organisations, coaches and independent trainers regularly ask me the same question: in which classes should they file their trademark? The answer depends on the exact nature of the activity — because “training” covers very different realities from a Nice Classification perspective.
Before filing, verify that your trademark is available and registrable. For the full process, see the trademark filing guide.
Class 41 is the essential class for any training activity. It covers education, training, professional retraining, organisation of educational colloquiums, conferences, congresses and seminars, as well as online publications.
However, the simplified INPI list is very broad — it also includes entertainment, shows and sporting activities. Only file for the services you actually provide. “Professional training in project management” is more defensible than “education; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities” when facing a challenge or a revocation action.
If your training activity includes business consulting, corporate coaching, strategic support or professional mentoring, class 35 comes into play. It covers business management consulting, commercial administration, and organisation of exhibitions for commercial purposes.
In practice, many independent trainers combine training (class 41) and consulting (class 35). Think about your activity as a whole: if your clients also pay you for individual consulting alongside training sessions, class 35 is relevant.
If you offer online training through educational software, mobile applications, e-learning platforms or downloadable content, class 9 covers digital materials as products. Class 42 may also be relevant if you provide an online access service (educational SaaS).
For physical teaching materials — manuals, books, workbooks, printed training materials — class 16 is appropriate. With increasing digitalisation, this class is becoming less necessary, but it remains relevant if you sell publications under your brand.
A coach who sells in-person training, consulting and a book will not file in the same classes as an online training organisation with a SaaS platform. It is the specificity of each activity that drives the choice.
The goods and services lists provided here are indicative and must be customised to your actual activities. A filing that is too broad exposes you to revocation for non-use five years after registration. If you would like to file a training trademark, book a call for personalised advice.
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