03 Jun How to Choose the Right Trademark Class in Malaysia
Choosing the right trademark class is one of the most important decisions when registering a trademark in Malaysia. A business may have a strong brand name, but if the trademark is filed in the wrong class or important goods and services are left out, the registration may provide limited protection.
So, which trademark class should you register in Malaysia?
The answer depends on what your business actually sells, manufactures, develops or provides, rather than simply what industry you operate in. Malaysia follows the Nice Classification, an international system that divides goods and services into 45 classes: Classes 1–34 cover goods, while Classes 35–45 cover services.
What is a trademark class?
A trademark class is a category used to identify the particular goods or services covered by a trademark registration. For example:
- Food products → commonly Class 29 or 30, depending on the product
- Retail services → Class 35
- Restaurant services → Class 43
This means registering a trademark does not automatically protect a brand across every product or service. For example, a fashion company registering its brand only in Class 25 may have protection for clothing, but that does not necessarily mean it has comprehensive protection for retail services, cosmetics or downloadable mobile applications under the same brand. These are only general examples. The correct class and specification can change depending on the exact goods or services involved.
How many trademark classes should you register?
There is no universal number that is right for every business. A practical approach is to consider:
- What are you selling today?
- What services are you providing today?
- How is the brand actually being used?
- Which products or services will you launch in the near future?
- Are you manufacturing, selling, licensing or providing services under the same brand?
How much does trademark registration cost per class in Malaysia?
As of 2026, MyIPO’s official fee is RM950 per class when the goods/services specification is adopted from the pre-approved list. The fee is RM1,100 per class where the specification is not adopted from the pre-approved list. Professional fees are additional and vary by service provider. For example, filing three classes using the pre-approved list would result in official filing fees of RM2,850, before any professional fees or other applicable costs. Because trademark applications are charged on a per-class basis, selecting classes strategically is important, but choosing too few classes simply to reduce the initial filing cost can also create protection gaps.
Final checklist: Choosing the right trademark class
Before filing a trademark application in Malaysia, ask:
☑ What exactly does my business sell?
☑ Are these goods, services, or both?
☑ Is the product downloadable software, SaaS, or another technology service?
☑ Do I operate a physical or online retail business?
☑ Which products or services will I launch soon?
☑ Have I identified the specific goods/services rather than relying on the class heading?
☑ Have I checked MyIPO’s pre-approved goods and services list?
Choosing the correct trademark class is not simply a box-ticking exercise. It is part of deciding what legal protection your brand will actually receive. For Malaysian SMEs, getting the classification and specification right at the filing stage can help avoid unnecessary costs and reduce the risk of discovering later that important goods or services were never covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most common trademark class for online businesses in Malaysia?
There is no single “online business” class. However, Class 35 may be relevant to retail or wholesale services, but the goods being sold may require their own classes, for example, Class 25 for clothing or Class 3 for cosmetics.
2. Do I need Class 35 if I sell my own products online?
Potentially. Class 35 can cover specified retail or wholesale services, while the underlying products may belong to separate classes. The appropriate combination depends on how your business uses the trademark.
3. Can one trademark be registered in multiple classes?
Yes. MyIPO allows an applicant to apply in more than one class in a single application. Official fees are charged for each class.
4. Can I change the trademark class after filing?
Changing or expanding the scope of goods and services after filing is subject to specific procedural and legal limitations. If important goods or services were omitted, a new application may ultimately be necessary. It is therefore better to determine the appropriate classes and specifications before filing.
5. How do I know which trademark class is right for my business?
Start by identifying every product and service offered under the brand, then classify each according to the Nice Classification and MyIPO’s accepted specifications. For complex businesses, particularly those involving software, retail, food, cosmetics or multiple business models, professional trademark advice can help ensure that the filing strategy matches the business’s actual and planned use.
Need help choosing the right trademark class in Malaysia? intellect can assess your business model, products and planned expansion before filing, helping you identify the classes and specifications that best fit your brand protection strategy.