When building a successful brand, trademark registration is a crucial legal step — one that begins with selecting the right trademark class. With 45 trademark classes in India, each representing different categories of goods and services, confusion is common — especially when dealing with industries that touch multiple areas.
One frequently searched and misunderstood class is Trademark Class 12, which applies to vehicles and transport equipment. But many businesses in the automotive, logistics, transport, and tech space also find themselves wondering how Class 12 compares to Class 7 (machinery), Class 9 (electronics), Class 35 (retail), Class 37 (repairs), and more.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into:
- What is Trademark Class 12?
- Common goods under Class 12
- How it differs from other closely related classes
- When to choose multiple trademark classes
- Real-world examples of brands that registered in several classes
🚗 What is Trademark Class 12?
Trademark Class 12 under the Nice Classification system covers:
“Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water.”
This includes cars, motorcycles, trucks, ships, boats, aircraft, drones, and even parts and fittings for all of these vehicles.
If your business is manufacturing, selling, assembling, branding, or supplying transport vehicles or related items, Class 12 is likely the core class for your trademark.
✅ Examples of Goods Under Class 12:
- Automobiles (cars, trucks, buses, vans)
- Electric vehicles, scooters, e-rickshaws
- Motorcycles, bicycles
- Aircrafts, drones, helicopters
- Boats, ships, canoes
- Wheelchairs, strollers, shopping carts
- Vehicle parts (tyres, brakes, axles, clutches, gearboxes, lights)
- Safety and anti-theft devices for vehicles
⚖️ Class 12 vs. Other Trademark Classes
Now let’s compare Class 12 with other similar or overlapping classes to help you make a smart trademark filing decision.
🔧 Class 7 vs. Class 12 – Machinery vs. Vehicles
| Feature | Class 7 | Class 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Industrial machines, machine tools, motors | Vehicles and parts for transport |
| Examples | Electric motors (non-vehicle use), pumps, compressors | Car motors, bicycle gears, electric vehicle drive units |
| Tip | Class 7 motors are for stationary machines. If it’s for a car, it’s Class 12. |
Common Confusion: If you manufacture motors used in vehicles, they go in Class 12. If your motors power industrial machines, they go in Class 7.
🛠️ Class 37 vs. Class 12 – Vehicle Services vs. Vehicle Goods
| Feature | Class 37 | Class 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Services: Repair, maintenance, installation | Goods: Vehicles and vehicle parts |
| Examples | Auto repair garages, maintenance services | Brake pads, shock absorbers, steering wheels |
| Tip | If you offer services like fixing or painting vehicles, register in Class 37. |
Pro Tip: If your brand name is used for both products and services, you may need to register in both classes.
🧴 Class 4 vs. Class 12 – Oils and Lubricants vs. Vehicles
| Feature | Class 4 | Class 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Industrial oils, greases, fuels | Physical vehicles |
| Examples | Engine oil, grease, gear oil, lubricants | EVs, buses, scooters, bicycles |
| Tip | Your oil product may be used in vehicles, but it is still Class 4. |
Scenario: If you’re selling an engine oil brand for electric bikes you also manufacture — you need Class 4 and Class 12 registrations.
📱 Class 9 vs. Class 12 – Electronics vs. Vehicles
| Feature | Class 9 | Class 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Electronics, software, vehicle sensors | Vehicles and structural parts |
| Examples | GPS units, driving software, sensors | Actual cars, trucks, buses, etc. |
| Tip | Register in Class 9 for any electronic add-ons or software systems used in vehicles. |
Modern Example: EV manufacturers with AI-based driving assistants or GPS trackers often register their trademarks in both Class 12 and Class 9.
🛍️ Class 35 vs. Class 12 – Retailing vs. Manufacturing
| Feature | Class 35 | Class 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Retail, marketing, sales, online portals | Vehicles and physical components |
| Examples | Car dealership, online marketplace, ecommerce store | Four-wheelers, bicycles, scooters |
| Tip | Selling vehicle parts? Register in Class 35. Making vehicle parts? Class 12. |
Important: E-commerce stores often need Class 35, even when selling physical Class 12 items.
💡 Why Choosing the Right Class Matters
Filing your trademark in the wrong class can lead to:
- ❌ Rejected application
- ❌ No legal protection in your actual industry
- ❌ Competitors registering a similar name in the right class
- ❌ Increased legal vulnerability and re-filing costs
📊 When Should You Register in Multiple Classes?
You should register in multiple trademark classes when your business covers more than one category of goods/services.
Common Multi-Class Scenarios:
| Scenario | Suggested Classes |
|---|---|
| EV manufacturing with vehicle apps | Class 12 + Class 9 |
| Selling car parts online | Class 12 + Class 35 |
| Bike manufacturing and repair | Class 12 + Class 37 |
| Manufacturing vehicles + lubricants | Class 12 + Class 4 |
Registering across multiple classes strengthens brand protection and supports long-term expansion.
🏢 Real Examples of Brands Using Multiple Classes
| Brand | Classes Filed | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Ola Electric | 12, 9, 35 | EV production, mobile app, and online service |
| Bajaj Auto | 12, 7, 37 | Vehicles, engines, and maintenance services |
| Hero MotoCorp | 12, 37, 35 | Motorcycles, servicing, and sales platform |
| Tata Motors | 12, 9, 4 | Vehicles, electronics, lubricants |
These companies protect their brand in every touchpoint they operate in — from production to services to digital assets.
📋 Steps to Choose the Right Trademark Class
Here’s a simplified checklist to help you make the right trademark class decision:
✅ Step 1: Identify Your Business Activities
Are you making products, selling services, creating apps, or offering after-sales?
✅ Step 2: Match Activities to Trademark Classes
Use the Nice Classification or consult IP India’s site to match your products/services.
✅ Step 3: Avoid Overlap Confusion
If you sell an app for your EV, don’t just register in Class 12. You need Class 9 too.
✅ Step 4: Consider Future Expansion
Even if you’re not offering services or an app today, but plan to in the future — include those classes now.
✅ Step 5: Get Professional Guidance
Legal experts can help avoid errors that might cost you time and money.
🛡️ How VMK Professionals Can Help
At VMK Professionals, we help you:
- 🛠️ Identify the correct trademark class(es)
- ✅ File single or multi-class applications
- ⚖️ Respond to examination reports or objections
- 🧠 Protect your IP across your industry
Our team ensures you never register in the wrong class or miss out on broader protection.
📌 Final Thoughts: Choose Smart, Protect Right
In today’s competitive market, it’s not enough to just pick a catchy brand name — you must ensure it’s protected in the right trademark class. Class 12 is perfect for vehicle manufacturers, but chances are, your business also overlaps with tech, services, or retail.
Filing under multiple classes gives you legal protection, market flexibility, and peace of mind.
🧾 Need Help with Trademark Registration?
Whether you need Class 12, Class 35, or a full trademark strategy — VMK Professionals is your trusted legal partner.
📍 PAN India Trademark Experts
Secure your brand today — before someone else does.
