Trademark Class 42: IT, SaaS, Design & Scientific Services
Class 42 covers scientific and technological services, industrial analysis and research, and the design and development of computer hardware and software — including SaaS and PaaS. This is the default class for Indian software startups, paired with Class 9 for the downloadable app.
What Class 42 covers
India follows the NICE Classification (11th edition) — 45 classes in total, 34 for goods and 11 for services. Class 42 sits in the services group. Your trademark is only protected for the goods or services listed in the class you file, which is why picking Class 42 correctly matters more than the logo itself.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) and PaaS
- Software design, development and maintenance
- Cloud computing and hosting services
- Website design and UI/UX design
- Scientific research, testing and analysis
- Architecture, engineering and industrial design
What Class 42 does NOT cover
| Frequently confused item | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Downloadable software / mobile app | Class 9 |
| Business consulting | Class 35 |
| Telecom transmission | Class 38 |
| IT staffing | Class 35 |
Examples of goods/services in Class 42
Who files in Class 42
- SaaS companies
- IT services firms
- AI startups
- Design studios
- Engineering consultancies
Class 42 government fees
| Applicant type | e-Filing fee | Physical filing | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | e-filing is cheaper — always file online |
| Startup (DPIIT recognised) | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | DPIIT certificate must be attached |
| MSME (Udyam registered) | ₹4,500 per class | ₹5,000 per class | Udyam certificate must be attached |
| Company / LLP / Partnership (non-MSME) | ₹9,000 per class | ₹10,000 per class | Register under Udyam first and save 50% |
Taxpex professional fee for a Class 42 filing starts at ₹1,999 and includes a clearance search, TM-48 drafting, filing and objection tracking until registration.
Class 42 filing timeline
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Search & class confirmation | Same day | We run a Class 42 search on the IP India database |
| Filing (TM-A) | 24-48 hours | Application number issued — ™ can be used immediately |
| Examination report | 3-8 months | Registry raises objections under Section 9/11 if any |
| Objection reply / hearing | 1-4 months | We draft and file the reply, appear at hearings |
| Journal publication | 2-4 months | 4-month opposition window opens |
| Registration certificate | 8-18 months total | ® symbol can be used, valid 10 years |
Protect your brand in Class 42
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Class 42 (IT, SaaS, Design & Scientific Services) — questions answered
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Content refreshed against the latest CBIC / CBDT / MCA notifications and portal changes.
Chartered Accountant · ICAI Member · 12+ years in Indian tax & compliance
- 15 September 2026Reviewed rates, forms and portal workflow for Trademark Class 42. Verified against latest CBIC/CBDT notifications.
- 10 January 2026Refreshed FAQ set, added new penalty examples and jurisdiction notes.
- 05 October 2025Structural rewrite for EEAT — added expert commentary, playbooks and process timeline.