45 trademark classes exist. Each costs $350+. File all 45 = $15,750 waste. File one = blocked when expanding. Strategic selection = critical.
The Class System
Nice Classification = 45 classes (34 goods, 11 services). Class 25 = clothing. Class 9 = software. Each class = separate fee. $350 USPTO (US), €850 EUIPO (EU) per class.
Primary Class First
Core product = priority. Software? File Class 9 + Class 42 (services). Clothing? Class 25. Restaurant? Class 43. Protect revenue source first.
Expansion Trap
File Class 25 only. 3 years later launch app. Need Class 9. Competitor already filed "YourBrand" in Class 9. Blocked. File foreseeable classes upfront = cheaper than buying later.
Adjacent Classes
Related goods/services together. Software: Class 9 (product) + Class 42 (services). Clothing: Class 25 (apparel) + Class 35 (retail stores).
Budget Reality
File 1-3 classes initially. "Apple" started computers (Class 9). Added retail, phones, software as revenue grew. You can too.
The Refiling Strategy
File Class 25 now ($350). Year 3: File Class 9 ($350). Year 5: File Class 35 ($350). Total $1,050 spread over 5 years. Risk: competitor blocks. Reward: cash for growth.
Trademark Lens shows conflicts per class, revealing which crowded (high risk) vs clear (safe) to help allocate budget.