Class 42 trademark for technology and SaaS

Often filed in class 42 by mistake

Filing in the wrong class leaves your real products unprotected and still costs the class fee. These belong elsewhere.

Typical conflicts for class 42 marks

SaaS and AI brands clash in classes 42 and 9 more than anywhere else. Short invented names are heavily filed, so search both classes before you commit.

An office compares your mark with earlier marks for identical and related goods or services, not only within the same class. Run a trademark availability search to see the closest marks in class 42 and its neighbours, or order a clearance search before a launch.

Classes related to class 42

• Cl.9 Software and electronics
• Cl.35 Advertising, business and retail
• Cl.38 Telecommunications

Frequently asked questions

What does class 42 cover?

Class 42 covers scientific and technological services, software development, software as a service, platform as a service, hosting, IT consulting, design and AI platforms offered online.

Which classes are related to class 42?

Offices often treat class 9 (software and electronics), class 35 (advertising, business and retail) and class 38 (telecommunications) as related. SaaS and AI brands clash in classes 42 and 9 more than anywhere else. Short invented names are heavily filed, so search both classes before you commit.

How much does it cost to add class 42 to an application?

As of 2026 the USPTO charges 350 USD per class, the EUIPO includes the first class in its 850 EUR basic fee and charges 50 EUR for a second class and 150 EUR for each further class, and the UK IPO charges 50 GBP for each class after the first. Fees are paid to the office.

What does not belong in class 42?

For downloadable software, use class 9. For marketing services, use class 35. For telecommunications, use class 38.