Trademark Class 33 in India: Alcoholic Beverages (except Beer) — Complete Filing Guide (2026)
If your business deals in alcoholic beverages (except beer), you need Trademark Class 33 registration in India to protect your brand legally. This guide covers the exact goods covered, which Indian industries must file under Class 33, how to search for existing marks, how to file the application, the fees, and key mistakes to avoid.
What Does Trademark Class 33 Cover? Official IP India Definition
India uses the Nice Classification (NCL) 11th Edition — an international system classifying all goods and services into 45 classes. IP India assigns every trademark to one or more of these classes during examination.
Trademark Class 33 officially covers:
This is a Goods class (Classes 1–34 cover physical goods; Classes 35–45 cover services).
Which Indian Businesses Need Class 33 Trademark Registration?
The following industries and business types must file under Trademark Class 33 in India to protect their brand names:
- Spirits manufacturers (whisky
- rum
- vodka
- gin)
- wine producers
- liqueur brands
- ready-to-drink (RTD) brands
- craft distilleries
India is the world's largest whisky market and the third-largest spirits market. Premium spirits brands like Royal Stag, Officer's Choice, and Paul John Whisky have built enormous brand equity through Class 33 trademark protection. India's growing craft gin, vodka, and wine industry makes early trademark registration critical.
Types of Brand Names Registered Under Class 33
Here are the types of trademarks that are typically filed and registered under Class 33 in India:
- Whisky brand names
- rum product trademarks
- vodka brand names
- Indian wine marks
- craft spirit distillery brands
When searching the IP India portal for Class 33, you will find both active (Registered, Objected) and inactive (Abandoned, Removed) marks. Only active marks can create conflicts with your proposed brand name.
Critical Classification Tip for Class 33
Beer falls under Class 32 (beverages including beer), not Class 33. Non-alcoholic wines and spirits fall under Class 32. Class 33 covers all alcoholic beverages except beer.
How to Search Trademarks in Class 33 on IP India
- Go to ipindiaonline.gov.in → Trademark → Public Search
- For text brand names: select Wordmark Search
- For logos: select Vienna Code Search
- In the Class field, select Class 33
- Enter your proposed brand name and click Search
- Review all results including phonetically or visually similar marks
- Also search in related classes: Class 32 (beer, soft drinks, non-alcoholic beverages), Class 43 (bars and restaurants serving alcohol), Class 35 (liquor retail services)
- Export/screenshot the results with timestamp for your records
How to File a Class 33 Trademark Application in India
Verify that your specific goods/services match the official Class 33 definition. Misclassification leads to rejection or inadequate protection.
Search IP India database for Class 33 conflicts. Also search related classes listed above.
Compile: PAN, business registration, Udyam certificate (MSME), mark/logo file, Power of Attorney.
Submit on IP India portal. Pay ₹4,500 (MSME/individual) or ₹9,000 (company) for Class 33. ™ usable from filing date.
Track status on IP India using application number. Examination Report expected in 3–6 months.
If objection raised, file detailed reply within 30 days. Attorney assistance strongly recommended.
After Journal publication (4-month opposition window), registration certificate issued. ® symbol permitted.
Official Fees for Class 33 Trademark Registration (2026)
| Applicant Category | Online Fee (per class) | Offline Fee (per class) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| MSME (Udyam Registered) | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| DPIIT-Recognised Startup | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Company / LLP / Partnership | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Renewal of Class 33 Mark | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Expedited Examination | ₹20,000 (MSME) / ₹40,000 (others) | N/A |
Related Trademark Classes to File Alongside Class 33
Many businesses in the Class 33 sector also need to register in related classes to get complete brand protection. Consider filing in:
Class 32 (beer, soft drinks, non-alcoholic beverages), Class 43 (bars and restaurants serving alcohol), Class 35 (liquor retail services)
Filing in all applicable classes simultaneously is more cost-effective than filing additional applications later. Discuss your full product/service scope with a trademark attorney before filing.
Frequently Asked Questions — Trademark Class 33 India
What is the difference between Class 33 and adjacent classes?
Class 33 specifically covers: alcoholic beverages, except beers; alcoholic preparations for making beverages. Adjacent classes cover related but distinct categories — Class 32 (beer, soft drinks, non-alcoholic beverages), Class 43 (bars and restaurants serving alcohol), Class 35 (liquor retail services). If your business spans both, file in all applicable classes.
How long does it take to register a Class 33 trademark in India?
Approximately 18–24 months for a smooth application. Expedited examination (additional ₹20,000–40,000 fee) can fast-track the examination stage to 30 working days. You can use the ™ symbol from the date of filing regardless of registration status.
Can I file a Class 33 trademark online in India?
Yes. 100% of the trademark application process is done online via ipindiaonline.gov.in. Online filing is mandatory for most applicants and also gives you the lower fee rate (₹4,500 vs ₹5,000 for MSME/individuals).
Do I need to file Class 33 and other classes separately?
Yes. Each trademark class requires a separate government fee. However, you can include multiple classes in a single Form TM-A application (multi-class application). You pay the fee for each class individually within that single application form.
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