Trademark Class 45: Legal, Security, and Personal Services

When registering a trademark, selecting the correct class is essential to ensure proper protection of your brand. The Nice Classification (NCL) system is an international system used by over 150 countries. It includes 45 classes—Classes 1 to 34 are for goods, and Classes 35 to 45 are for services.

Trademark Class 45 is the final service class, covering a wide variety of personal, legal, and security services. If your business involves legal advisory, private investigation, security management, or even dating services, then Class 45 is the correct category for you.

What is Trademark Class 45?

Trademark Class 45 includes services that are rendered by legal professionals, personal and social support providers, or security organizations. It is a diverse category covering everything from legal case representation to bodyguard services and online matchmaking.

It is the go-to class for businesses that support individuals or companies in sensitive and highly personalized ways, usually involving social well-being, law, or personal protection.

Services Covered Under Trademark Class 45

Here’s a breakdown of the broad range of services that fall under Class 45:

1. Legal Services

This is one of the core segments of Class 45. It includes all activities that involve legal consulting, representation, and documentation.

• Legal advice and legal consultancy
• Legal representation in courts and tribunals
• Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including arbitration and mediation
• Drafting legal documents such as contracts, agreements, and wills
• Notary services
• Trademark registration and protection services
• Patent and copyright advisory services
• Intellectual Property rights enforcement
• Legal compliance audits
• Company law services (e.g., company incorporation or dissolution)
• Family legal services (divorce, custody, adoption)
• Tax-related legal services (litigation side, not accounting)
• Legal research and due diligence
• Immigration and visa legal services
• Consumer protection legal services
• Criminal defense and prosecution support
• Civil law legal aid
• Environmental law consultation

Note: Legal software and tools fall under Class 42 (technology services), not Class 45.

2. Security Services for the Protection of People and Property

These are services rendered for physical safety, monitoring, and protective purposes.

• Personal bodyguard services
• Security guard services for residential and commercial properties
• Surveillance services (camera monitoring, on-site patrolling)
• Mobile security patrols
• Airport and VIP security services
• Event security and crowd control
• Alarm monitoring and response
• Security consultancy and risk assessment
• Private security force deployment
• Cybersecurity investigation services (only the physical or investigative part—technical software goes in Class 42)
• Monitoring of burglar and security alarms (non-technical)

3. Personal and Social Services Rendered by Others

This segment encompasses services related to personal welfare, social engagement, and individual assistance not falling under medical or therapeutic categories.

• Matchmaking and dating services
• Wedding officiant services
• Astrology and horoscope forecasting services
• Numerology services
• Spiritual consultation (non-medical)
• Personal concierge and lifestyle management services
• Personal shopper (non-retail)
• Adoption and foster care placement services
• Legal guardianship services
• Genealogical research and family history tracing
• Funeral arrangement and cremation services
• Wake and memorial services (non-religious)
• Counseling in personal relationships (non-medical)
• Social escort services (non-sexual)
• Licensing of intellectual property
• Detective and investigation services (non-technical)
• Missing person investigations
• Monitoring or tracking individuals for safety (non-software)
• Arbitration services (also covered under legal)

4. Detective and Investigative Services

These services deal with private investigation and surveillance conducted for personal, corporate, or legal purposes.

• Private detective services
• Background verification and identity checks
• Surveillance services (non-digital)
• Fraud and theft investigation services
• Matrimonial investigation services
• Corporate espionage and internal threat assessment
• Pre- and post-employment verification
• Undercover investigations
• Investigation of insurance claims
• Investigation of crime scenes (private detectives only)

Excluded Services from Class 45

While Class 45 is broad, some services that may seem similar actually fall under other classes. Here's a breakdown:

Businesses That Commonly Register Under Class 45

• Law firms and solo legal practitioners
• Intellectual property registration consultancies
• Legal-tech startups (for the legal service aspect)
• Private security agencies and event security companies
• Detective agencies
• Spiritual and astrological service providers
• Matchmaking companies and dating platforms
• Funeral service providers
• Adoption agencies
• Corporate compliance advisory firms
• Notary public services
• Immigration law consultancies

Why Trademark Class 45 Matters

Registering your trademark under Class 45 ensures that your brand identity is legally protected in the legal, security, and personal services sectors. This is particularly important in industries where trust, confidentiality, and professional reputation play a critical role. With this registration, no one else in the same service domain can use your brand name or logo, helping prevent brand dilution, misrepresentation, and legal conflicts.

Real-World Examples of Class 45 Businesses

Here are examples of businesses and services that fall under Class 45:

Popular Use Cases under Class 45

Let’s look at how businesses across sectors use Class 45:

• A legal tech startup offering online will writing and legal contracts registers in Class 45.
• A dating app offering matchmaking, social networking, or matrimonial services must register in Class 45.
• A private investigator agency offering surveillance and background checks is a classic Class 45 service.
• A concierge service that handles errands, pet care, or home arrangements would file under Class 45.
• A funeral home offering ceremony arrangements and memorial services would also be in Class 45.

Services NOT Included in Class 45

It's important to avoid misclassification. Here’s what Class 45 does NOT cover, along with their correct classes:

Why You Should Register a Trademark in Class 45

Whether you're offering legal, protective, or personal services, trademarking your brand in the right class is vital. Here’s why:

1. Legal Exclusivity

Registering in Class 45 gives you the exclusive right to use your brand name/logo for the specified services.

2. Avoid Brand Confusion

With many legal and dating platforms online, similar names are common. A trademark registration distinguishes your brand legally.

3. Build Brand Trust

Clients in the legal or personal services sector expect reliability and legitimacy. A registered trademark reinforces your authority.

4. Scalability

If you plan to expand into franchising or licensing (e.g., legal franchises or matchmaking franchises), having a trademark is essential.

5. IP Asset Creation

A trademark is an intangible asset that adds value to your business, can be sold, licensed, or used as collateral.

How to Register a Trademark in Class 45

Here's a simplified guide to registering your trademark under Class 45 in India:

Step 1: Trademark Search

Use the IP India Public Search Tool to check whether a similar name/logo is already registered under Class 45.

Step 2: Draft the Application

You need:

• Trademark name/logo
• Description of services under Class 45
• Owner details (individual or company)
• Power of Attorney (if using an agent)
• Government fees: ?4,500 for individuals/startups; ?9,000 for companies

Step 3: File the Application

• File online via the IP India Trademark Portal
• Or file offline via a registered trademark agent

Step 4: Examination by Registrar

The registrar examines the application and may issue objections under Sections 9 or 11.

Step 5: Publication & Opposition

If accepted, the mark is published in the Trademark Journal for 4 months. During this time, anyone can file an opposition.

Step 6: Trademark Registration

If no opposition arises or if it is successfully defended, the trademark is registered and a Registration Certificate is issued.

International Trademark Protection for Class 45

Planning to operate globally? You can use the Madrid Protocol to file your trademark internationally. Class 45 is recognized under the Nice Classification globally, including the USA, EU, UK, Australia, Canada, and more.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Filing under the wrong class (e.g., registering legal software under Class 45 instead of Class 9)
• Choosing generic names like “Legal Experts” that are difficult to trademark
• Skipping the trademark search, which can result in objections
• Not renewing the trademark every 10 years
• Assuming common-law rights offer complete protection (they don't in India—you need formal registration)

FAQs on Trademark Class 45

Q1: Can law firms register under Class 45?

Absolutely. All legal services including litigation, consultancy, and document drafting fall under Class 45.

Q2: Is Class 45 suitable for cybersecurity companies?

Only if they offer security-related services (like monitoring or consulting). Software development should go under Class 42 or Class 9, depending on the product.

Q3: Is Class 45 suitable for matrimonial websites?

Yes. Matchmaking and dating services fall directly under Class 45.

Q4: Can I register the same trademark under multiple classes?

Yes. If your services span multiple domains (e.g., a legal firm also offering legal tech), you should register in each relevant class (e.g., Class 45 and Class 42).

Conclusion

Trademark Class 45 is the go-to category for legal, security, and personal/social services. Whether you're a law firm, matchmaking app, private detective, or concierge service, registering under this class ensures your brand is legally protected and uniquely identifiable in the marketplace.

In an industry built on trust, reputation, and sensitivity, protecting your brand is not just a legal formality—it’s a business necessity. Don’t delay—safeguard your identity with Class 45 registration.

Need Help Filing a Trademark Under Class 45?

We provide expert assistance for end-to-end trademark registration—name search, filing, response to objections, renewals, and international protection. Let’s secure your brand identity today! Contact Online Legal India and experience flawless trademark filing services, along with all relevant compliance services.