Trademark protection in Israel is applied for in relation to specified goods and services. The international Nice Classification provides the organizational system for those goods and services, but selecting a class number is not the same as drafting an adequate specification. A trademark registration does not automatically protect every product falling within the heading of the selected class.
For foreign trademark attorneys coordinating an Israeli filing, the important task is to identify the applicant’s actual products and services, allocate them to the appropriate Nice classes and formulate a specification acceptable to the Israel Patent Office (ILPO). The scope and cost of the application depend on these decisions.
Which Nice Classification Edition Applies in Israel in 2026?
Israel follows the international Nice Classification framework, incorporated into the Israeli trademark system. The 13th edition entered into force on January 1, 2026. The classification contains 45 classes: 34 classes of goods (Classes 1–34) and 11 classes of services (Classes 35–45).
Class headings offer a useful orientation, not a complete filing-ready list of every product or service. Applicants should consult WIPO’s current Nice Classification and applicable ILPO guidance when preparing the actual wording.
Classes 1–34: Goods
Goods are grouped into the following broad categories. The following descriptions are simplified headings intended for planning and should not be copied verbatim as an exhaustive specification.
Class 1: Chemicals for industry and science. Class 2: Paints, varnishes and protective coatings. Class 3: Cosmetics and cleaning preparations. Class 4: Industrial oils, lubricants and fuels. Class 5: Pharmaceuticals and certain medical preparations. Class 6: Common metals and metal goods. Class 7: Machines and machine tools. Class 8: Hand tools. Class 9: Scientific and electronic apparatus, computers and downloadable software. Class 10: Medical and surgical apparatus. Class 11: Lighting, heating, cooling and sanitary apparatus. Class 12: Vehicles. Class 13: Firearms and ammunition. Class 14: Jewellery and precious metals. Class 15: Musical instruments. Class 16: Paper, printed matter and stationery. Class 17: Insulating and sealing materials. Class 18: Leather goods, bags and luggage. Class 19: Non-metallic building materials. Class 20: Furniture. Class 21: Household and kitchen utensils. Class 22: Ropes, raw textile fibers and related materials. Class 23: Yarns and threads. Class 24: Textiles and household linen. Class 25: Clothing, footwear and headwear. Class 26: Lace, embroidery, buttons and fasteners. Class 27: Carpets and floor coverings. Class 28: Games, toys and sporting articles. Class 29: Meat, fish, dairy and certain preserved foods. Class 30: Coffee, tea, bakery products and seasonings. Class 31: Agricultural goods and live plants. Class 32: Beers and non-alcoholic beverages. Class 33: Alcoholic beverages other than beer. Class 34: Tobacco and smokers’ articles.
Classes 35–45: Services
Class 35: Advertising, business management and specified retail services. Class 36: Insurance, financial and real estate services. Class 37: Construction, repair and installation services. Class 38: Telecommunications. Class 39: Transport, storage and travel arrangements. Class 40: Treatment of materials. Class 41: Education, entertainment, cultural and sporting services. Class 42: Scientific and technological services, software development and software-as-a-service. Class 43: Food, drink and temporary accommodation services. Class 44: Medical, veterinary, hygienic and beauty care services. Class 45: Legal, security and specified personal services.
Why the Specification Matters More Than the Class Heading
A class number identifies an administrative category; the specification defines the goods or services actually claimed. Two applications in Class 9 can have very different commercial scopes. An application describing particular software does not necessarily protect every kind of device, electronics product or application software simply because they are also classified in Class 9.
Similarly, obtaining protection for retail services in Class 35 does not by itself replace registering the brand in the classes covering the goods sold through the store. The proposed specification should reflect the applicant’s business and credible plans for use of the sign.
Practical Example: Downloadable Software and SaaS
Software-related products can require more than one class. Downloadable computer programs are commonly considered under Class 9. The provision of online non-downloadable software or software-as-a-service generally falls under Class 42. If the business also provides associated consulting, training or telecommunications services, additional classification questions may arise.
The filing should describe the actual service or goods, not merely reproduce broad labels such as “software” or “technology.” Foreign counsel should verify that the wording they use internationally is appropriate for the ILPO’s current examination practice.
Class 35 for E-Commerce and Retail Brands
An online retail business may require protection for retail services in Class 35, while the products offered under its house brand may belong to one or more goods classes. A fashion brand selling its own apparel, for example, may consider Class 25 for clothing and, depending on the nature of its operation, Class 35 for retail services.
This does not mean every e-commerce business must file in every conceivable class. The applicant’s role, the precise services offered and the mark’s intended uses should determine the filing strategy.
Can Trademarks in Different Classes Still Conflict?
Yes. Classification does not decide the likelihood-of-confusion analysis by itself. Related goods may be placed in different classes, and identical class numbers do not automatically make all products commercially similar. The test under Israeli trademark law depends on the marks and the relevant relationship between the goods and services, including the circumstances in which consumers encounter them.
When clearing a brand for Israel, search the relevant related commercial sectors, not solely the class the applicant initially selected. See Trademark Search in Israel.
Preparing a Multi-Class Israeli Trademark Application
The official filing fee depends on the number of classes included in the application. Choosing unnecessary classes may increase costs; omitting relevant goods or services can create gaps. The applicant and instructing counsel should review the specification before filing because adding classes or materially expanding a filed description may require a new application.
A structured instruction package should identify the applicant, representation of the mark, target goods and services, Nice classes, any priority claim and the reasons for including particular commercial activities. For filing mechanics, see How to File a Trademark Application in Israel, and for broader local representation, Trademark Registration and Prosecution in Israel.
