Class 38 covers telecommunications & internet in India's Nice Classification trademark system. If your business operates in this space, Class 38 is your primary or an essential trademark class. Search your brand free at tmpublicsearch.com before filing.
What Does Class 38 Cover?
- Mobile phone and telephone services
- Internet access and broadband services
- Satellite communication services
- Broadcasting — radio and television
- Cable TV and DTH services
- Streaming services — audio and video streaming platforms
- Video conferencing services
- SMS and messaging services
- News wire services
- Electronic mail services
- Social networking services (telecom component)
What Class 38 Does NOT Cover
- Telecom hardware (phones, routers) → Class 9
- Software for telecom → Class 42
- Entertainment content (what is streamed) → Class 41
- Courier and delivery → Class 39
Who Needs to File in Class 38?
- Telecom operators — Jio, Airtel, Vi
- Internet service providers
- OTT platforms — streaming services
- Broadcasting companies — TV channels, radio stations
- DTH service providers
Indian Brand Examples — Class 38
| Brand | Class 38 Coverage |
|---|---|
| Jio (Reliance) | Class 38 — telecom and internet services |
| Airtel | Class 38 — mobile and broadband |
| Hotstar (Disney+) | OTT streaming — Class 38 and Class 41 |
| Zee Entertainment | Broadcasting — Class 38 and Class 41 |
| Tata Play (DTH) | DTH broadcasting — Class 38 |
Filing Fees — Class 38
| Applicant Type | E-filing fee |
|---|---|
| Individual / MSME / Startup | ₹4,500 |
| Company / LLP / Partnership | ₹9,000 |
OTT and streaming platforms typically need both Class 38 (the streaming/transmission service) and Class 41 (the entertainment content and production services). A startup launching a streaming service should file in both.
Search Class 38 Trademarks Free
Before filing in Class 38, run a thorough trademark public search. Use tmpublicsearch.com — select Class 38 in the class filter, enter your brand name, and review all existing registrations and applications.
Look for: identical marks, phonetically similar marks (marks that sound like yours), conceptually similar marks (marks with the same meaning), and marks in related classes that may cause confusion.
Filing in Class 38 protects your brand specifically for telecommunications & internet activities. If your business spans multiple activities, you may need additional classes. Book a free consultation — our IP attorneys will advise which classes you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions — Class 38
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