Finding the Right Trademark Class in Indonesia

Choosing the right class is one of the first decisions to make when filing a trademark in Indonesia. A trademark class search helps identify where your goods or services fit within the Nice Classification, but finding a class number is only part of the process.

The more important question is whether the selected class and goods or services description actually reflect your business in Indonesia. Filing under the wrong or unnecessarily broad scope can create gaps in protection or lead to objections during examination.

What Is a Trademark Class Search?

Indonesia uses the Nice Classification, an international system for classifying goods and services for trademark registration. It contains 45 classes: 34 for goods and 11 for services. WIPO’s current 2026 classification database provides the official class headings, explanatory notes, and alphabetical list of goods and services.

A trademark class search involves identifying the classes that correspond to the goods or services offered under your mark.

However, the class heading alone is not enough. The classification also contains specific descriptions of goods and services, so businesses should assess the actual activity they intend to protect rather than choosing a class based only on their industry label.

How Do You Find the Right Trademark Class?

Start with what you actually sell or provide, not what your company calls itself.

For example:

• Clothing may fall under Class 25.
• Retail and business-related services may fall under Class 35.
• Software and technology-related services may involve Classes 9 and 42, depending on what is being offered.
• Restaurant services fall under Class 43.

These examples are only starting points. The correct classification depends on the precise nature of the goods or services and how they are provided.

WIPO’s Nice Classification should therefore be used to identify potentially relevant entries, followed by a review of the specific goods or services description.

For international businesses, we recommend not simply copying the classes from an overseas trademark registration. The business activities covered in Indonesia may differ from those covered in another jurisdiction.

Why Does Trademark Class Selection Matter?

Trademark protection is tied to the goods and services covered by the registration. Choosing a class that is too narrow can leave commercially important activities outside the intended scope of protection.

At the other extreme, filing in every possible class is not automatically a stronger strategy. Unnecessary classes increase filing costs without necessarily providing meaningful commercial value.

The same applies to the goods or services description. A description that is unclear, inappropriate, or unnecessarily broad can create examination issues.

The more useful question is therefore not “How many classes can we file?”, but “Which classes and descriptions are commercially relevant to this brand?”

That distinction can make a significant difference for businesses with complex models such as SaaS, marketplaces, franchising, licensing, or businesses offering both physical products and digital services.

When Should You Use a Trademark Classification Service?

A classification database may be enough to identify possible classes for a straightforward business. A professional review becomes more valuable when the business operates across several categories or when the trademark will support a significant market expansion.

Consider professional assistance when:

• Your business offers both goods and services.
• Your business model involves software, SaaS, or digital platforms.
• Your overseas trademark portfolio uses different classes from your planned Indonesian activities.
• You are uncertain about the appropriate goods or services wording.
• The brand is commercially important and filing errors could be costly.

In these situations, the challenge is not simply finding a class number. It is translating your actual business activities into a filing strategy that provides useful protection in Indonesia.

Find the Right Trademark Class with AMR Partnership

AMR Partnership assists businesses with trademark searches and registration as part of its broader intellectual property practice. The firm has handled more than 135,000 trademarks and serves both local and global clients with customized solutions.

AMR has a dedicated Trademark, Copyright, Industrial Design and PVP division and is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA).

For businesses preparing a trademark filing in Indonesia, AMR can help assess the relevant classes, review potential conflicts, and align the application with the goods and services the business actually intends to protect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search for a trademark class?
Search the WIPO Nice Classification using the actual goods or services you provide, then review the applicable class and specific descriptions.

How many trademark classes are there?
There are 45 classes: 34 covering goods and 11 covering services.

Can I register a trademark in more than one class?
Yes. A business can file the same trademark in multiple relevant classes where it provides different goods or services.